Allow creation of SSH Keys without passwords in cPanel

Introduction

There are some instances where cPanel users wish to create a password-less SSH key. By default, this is not allowed in the cPanel SSH Access interface unless the administrator configures their password strength requirements for SSH. From our documentation, passwords are optional if the administrator sets the SSH Keys setting to 0 in WHM’s Password Strength Configuration interface

Note: Reducing the strength of an SSH key's password can lower its effectiveness.

Procedure

To adjust your Password Strength Requirements:

1. Access WHM

2. Navigate to "WHM Home / Security Center / Password Strength Configuration"

3. Set the SSH setting to 0

4. Click "Save"

From here, you can now access "cPanel / SSH Access" once more and create a password-less key.