[FreeBSD] How to allow Root access on FreeBSD over ssh protocol


By default FreeBSD does not allow root access over ssh protocol.
So if you need to log on to your FreeBSD machine over ssh with root privilege, then you have to allow root user access for ssh login.
In this example I am using VIM as the text editor but if you don’t have VIM editor then you have to use the default EE or VI editor.

If you want to install VIM editor please have a look at the following link:
install vim on FreeBSD

To do so, You will need to edit the SSH daemon configuration file.

#vim /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Find the below line in the above file:

#PermitRootLogin no

The preceding # mark shows that this line is commented.
You just have to un-comment the line and modify the “no” at the end of file to “yes” (Of course without the quotes).
After modification the line should be looking like as following:

PermitRootLogin yes

Save the file and quit vim editor.

Now to reflect the change, you have to restart the ssh daemon by typing the following command on the console:

# /etc/rc.d/sshd restart

After the above steps if you try accessing your system from another host over ssh protocol, you must be able to login to your system.

If you need to know more on VIM commands then please have a look at the following link:
VIM commands for day to day usage

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.