2 Ways to Fix bad Owner or Permissions on SSH Config

Give a try to these quick methods right away

Fix

3 min. read

Updated on October 4, 2023

by Farhad Pashaei

updated on October 4, 2023

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Key notes

Changing the permission on the SSH folder can be the quickest fix and does not require any kinds of commands.
The problem is primarily caused by permission settings, which should be corrected after altering permissions.
A few commands to solve this issue are available on the internet, some of which may be really helpful.

SSH is commonly used by network administrators to control systems, and issues such as Bad owner or permissions on SSH config occur seldom.

Fixing this problem is rather straightforward, but it is one of those processes rife with blunders and misinformation from multiple sources.

But what if someone who did not know how to fix this problem encountered it? Here are some fixes that might help you.

What is SSH used for?

SSH connections have been used to secure a variety of communications and administrative or management duties between a local workstation and a remote host.

Among other things, SSH is used to control routers, server hardware, virtualization platforms, operating systems (OSes), and file transfer programs.

A related problem is the Unable to establish host authenticity but this guide will help you fix it quickly.

Now, let’s see how we can fix bad owner or permissions on SSH config with the solutions below.

How can I fix bad owner or permissions on SSH config?

1. Change permission

Open Windows Explorer and locate your .ssh folder. It is usually located in C:\Users\
Right-click the .ssh folder and click Properties.
Find and click the Security tab and then click Advanced.
Click Disable Inheritance.
A warning popup will appear. Click Remove all inherited permissions from this object.
Click OK to close the Advanced Security Settings for .ssh window.
You will notice that all users will be removed. On the same window, click the Add button.
Next, click Select a principal to bring up the Select Users or Groups window.
Click Advanced.
Click the Find Now button. A list of user results should appear.
Select your user account.
Then click OK.

2. Using commands

First, type in
chown $USER ~/.ssh/config
After that, type in
chmod 644 ~/.ssh/config

What is the difference between telnet and SSH?

Telecommunications and Networks are abbreviated as Telnet, and it is a networking protocol best known for the UNIX platform.

Telnet is credited as being the first Internet, having been created as a method of remote control for managing mainframe computers from remote terminals when the Internet originally opened in 1969.

While there is no official fix for bad owner or permissions on the SSH config problem, many users have reported that removing inherited permissions has worked for them.

Additionally, there are numerous lines of commands that might fix the issue and are available on the web and in the forums.

The fix for a bad owner or permissions on the SSH config problem can vary in steps depending on the process type.

If you are experiencing ssh_exchange_identification connection closed by host issues, read this article.

Let us know whether you were able to fix the bad owner or permissions on the SSH config in the comments section below.

More about the topics: Fix network issues, windows server

Farhad Pashaei

As a technophile, Farhad has spent the last decade getting hands-on experience with a variety of electronic devices, including smartphones, laptops, accessories, wearables, printers, and so on. When he isn't writing, you can bet he's devouring information on products making their market foray, demonstrating his unquenchable thirst for technology.