How To Change SSH Port On Raspberry Pi: A Comprehensive Guide

Author williamfaulkner 10 Feb 2025

Changing the SSH port on your Raspberry Pi is an essential step to enhance the security of your device. Whether you're using your Raspberry Pi for personal projects or as a server, ensuring that your SSH connection is secure is crucial. By default, Raspberry Pi uses port 22 for SSH, which is well-known and often targeted by malicious actors. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of changing the SSH port on your Raspberry Pi, step-by-step, while also discussing the importance of this security measure.

SSH, or Secure Shell, is a protocol that allows you to securely access your Raspberry Pi remotely. While it is a powerful tool, it can also be a vulnerability if not properly secured. Changing the default SSH port is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect your device from unauthorized access. This guide is designed to be beginner-friendly, but it also provides valuable insights for advanced users looking to strengthen their Raspberry Pi's security.

In the following sections, we'll explore the reasons why changing the SSH port is important, walk you through the process of modifying the SSH configuration, and provide tips for maintaining a secure connection. By the end of this article, you'll have a clear understanding of how to change the SSH port on your Raspberry Pi and why it matters.

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Why Change the SSH Port on Raspberry Pi?
Prerequisites for Changing SSH Port
Step-by-Step Guide to Change SSH Port
Testing the New SSH Connection
Configuring the Firewall for the New SSH Port
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Additional Security Tips for SSH
Benefits of Changing the SSH Port
Conclusion

Why Change the SSH Port on Raspberry Pi?

Changing the default SSH port on your Raspberry Pi is a simple yet effective way to improve its security. By default, SSH operates on port 22, which is widely known and often targeted by hackers. Here are some key reasons why you should consider changing the SSH port:

Reduced Risk of Brute-Force Attacks: Automated bots and scripts often scan for open SSH connections on port 22. By changing the port, you can reduce the likelihood of your Raspberry Pi being targeted by these attacks.
Enhanced Privacy: Using a non-standard port makes it harder for unauthorized users to identify that your Raspberry Pi is running an SSH service.
Improved Security Practices: Changing the SSH port is a basic but important step in securing your device. It demonstrates a proactive approach to safeguarding your Raspberry Pi.

While changing the SSH port is not a substitute for other security measures, such as using strong passwords or key-based authentication, it adds an additional layer of protection. This makes it more difficult for attackers to gain unauthorized access to your device.

Prerequisites for Changing SSH Port

Before you proceed with changing the SSH port on your Raspberry Pi, there are a few prerequisites you need to ensure:

Raspberry Pi with SSH Enabled: Make sure that SSH is already enabled on your Raspberry Pi. You can enable it through the Raspberry Pi Configuration tool or by creating an empty file named "ssh" in the boot directory.
Administrative Access: You need to have administrative (sudo) access to your Raspberry Pi to modify the SSH configuration file.
Backup of Configuration Files: It's always a good idea to create a backup of important configuration files before making changes. This ensures that you can restore the original settings if something goes wrong.
Basic Knowledge of Linux Commands: Familiarity with basic Linux commands, such as navigating directories and editing files using a text editor like nano, is essential.

Once you have these prerequisites in place, you're ready to proceed with the step-by-step guide to change the SSH port on your Raspberry Pi.

Step-by-Step Guide to Change SSH Port

Step 1: Accessing the Raspberry Pi

To begin, you need to access your Raspberry Pi either directly or via SSH. If you're using SSH, connect to your Raspberry Pi using the default port 22:

 ssh pi@your_raspberry_pi_ip_address

Once connected, ensure that you have administrative privileges by running:

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 sudo su

This will give you root access, allowing you to modify system files.

Step 2: Editing the SSH Configuration File

The SSH configuration file is located at /etc/ssh/sshd_config. Open this file using a text editor like nano:

 sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Look for the line that says:

 #Port 22

Uncomment this line by removing the # and change the port number to your desired value. For example:

 Port 2222

Save the file and exit the editor.

Step 3: Restarting the SSH Service

After modifying the configuration file, restart the SSH service to apply the changes:

 sudo systemctl restart ssh

This will restart the SSH service with the new port configuration.

Testing the New SSH Connection

Once you've changed the SSH port, it's important to test the new connection to ensure everything is working correctly. Use the following command to connect to your Raspberry Pi using the new port:

 ssh -p 2222 pi@your_raspberry_pi_ip_address

If the connection is successful, you've successfully changed the SSH port. If not, double-check the configuration file and ensure the new port is open in your firewall.

Configuring the Firewall for the New SSH Port

If you're using a firewall, such as UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall), you need to allow traffic on the new SSH port. Run the following commands to update your firewall rules:

 sudo ufw allow 2222/tcp sudo ufw reload

This will allow incoming connections on the new SSH port while blocking the default port 22.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

While changing the SSH port is straightforward, you may encounter some common issues:

Connection Refused: Ensure that the new port is open in your firewall and that the SSH service is running.
Incorrect Port Number: Double-check the port number in the configuration file and ensure it's within the valid range (1-65535).
Permission Denied: Verify that you have the correct permissions to modify the SSH configuration file.

If you're unable to resolve the issue, revert to the original configuration and troubleshoot further.

Additional Security Tips for SSH

Changing the SSH port is just one step in securing your Raspberry Pi. Here are some additional tips to enhance your SSH security:

Use Key-Based Authentication: Disable password authentication and use SSH keys for a more secure login process.
Limit User Access: Restrict SSH access to specific users or IP addresses.
Enable Fail2Ban: Install and configure Fail2Ban to block repeated failed login attempts.
Keep Your System Updated: Regularly update your Raspberry Pi's operating system and software to patch vulnerabilities.

Implementing these measures will significantly improve the security of your SSH connection.

Benefits of Changing the SSH Port

Changing the SSH port on your Raspberry Pi offers several benefits:

Reduced Exposure to Automated Attacks: By using a non-standard port, you reduce the risk of being targeted by automated bots.
Enhanced Privacy: It becomes harder for unauthorized users to identify that your Raspberry Pi is running an SSH service.
Improved Security Practices: Demonstrates a proactive approach to securing your device.

While it may seem like a small change, it can have a significant impact on your Raspberry Pi's security.

Conclusion

Changing the SSH port on your Raspberry Pi is a simple yet effective way to enhance its security. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can protect your device from unauthorized access and reduce the risk of brute-force attacks. Remember, this is just one part of a comprehensive security strategy. Consider implementing additional measures, such as key-based authentication and firewall rules, to further secure your Raspberry Pi.

If you found this guide helpful, feel free to share it with others who might benefit from it. Leave a comment below if you have any questions or need further assistance. For more articles like this, explore our website and stay updated with the latest tips and tutorials for your Raspberry Pi projects.

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