How to connect to your VPS using SSH

Run the ssh command from your computer to your VPS IP: ssh USER@SERVER_IP. If your VPS uses a non default port, use ssh -p PORT USER@SERVER_IP. Use the IP, username and port shown for your VPS in Virtualizor from your Hostworld client area.

Before you start

• Your VPS IP address, SSH username and port from Virtualizor in the Hostworld client area, plus either the account password or your SSH private key.
• On Ubuntu 24.04, direct root login is usually disabled. Sign in as your initial sudo-capable user and use sudo for admin tasks.
• On first connect you will be asked to verify the server’s host key fingerprint. This is expected.

Step 1: Open a terminal on your computer

This gives you a shell where you can run the ssh command.

Windows 10/11

• Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal. The OpenSSH client is built in on current Windows, or installable via Optional features.
• To confirm it is available, run this to print the SSH client version:

  ssh -V

Step 2: Connect with SSH

This starts an encrypted shell session to your VPS on the default SSH port 22.

ssh USER@SERVER_IP

This connects to a non default SSH port.

ssh -p PORT USER@SERVER_IP

This uses a specific private key file for authentication.

ssh -i /path/to/private_key USER@SERVER_IP

The syntax is the same in PowerShell on Windows. On first connect you will be shown a host key fingerprint. Verify it belongs to your Hostworld VPS, then type yes to continue.

Step 3: Get root when you need it

This elevates your privileges to a root shell for administration.

AlmaLinux 9

sudo -i

This runs one command as root without changing your shell.

sudo command_here

Ubuntu 24.04

sudo -i

This runs one command as root without changing your shell.

sudo command_here

If it does not work

• Permission denied (publickey) or “no mutual signature algorithm”. Modern OpenSSH disables old ssh-rsa with SHA‑1. Use a modern key type such as ed25519, or an RSA key that uses SHA‑2. If key login still fails, wrong file permissions can make sshd refuse keys. Use the VNC console in Virtualizor to fix permissions, then try again.

  AlmaLinux 9

  This sets safe permissions for SSH key authentication.

  chmod 700 ~/.ssh
  chmod 600 ~/.ssh/authorized_keys

  Ubuntu 24.04

  This sets safe permissions for SSH key authentication.

  chmod 700 ~/.ssh
  chmod 600 ~/.ssh/authorized_keys

• “WARNING: REMOTE HOST IDENTIFICATION HAS CHANGED!”. This happens after a legitimate rebuild or IP change. Remove the stale key, then reconnect and accept the new fingerprint.

  This deletes the old known host entry for that address.

  ssh-keygen -R SERVER_IP

• Connection timed out or refused. If you changed the SSH port, include it with -p PORT. If a firewall blocks port 22, allow SSH using the VNC console in Virtualizor.

  AlmaLinux 9

  This permanently allows the SSH service through firewalld, then reloads rules.

  sudo firewall-cmd --add-service=ssh --permanent
  sudo firewall-cmd --reload

  Ubuntu 24.04

  This allows the OpenSSH profile in ufw. Always allow this before enabling ufw to avoid lockout.

  sudo ufw allow OpenSSH

Still stuck or cannot find your VPS IP or username in Virtualizor? Please open a support ticket and we will help. Do not use Re-Install OS in Virtualizor to fix a login problem. It wipes the primary disk.

What next

For a fuller walkthrough of SSH keys, host keys and firewall rules across AlmaLinux and Ubuntu, see our VPS guides. If you need another server in our UK location, see our Linux VPS page.