Known Hosts File

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Abbreviation(s) and Synonym(s):

None

Definition(s):

A file associated with a specific account that contains one or more host keys. Each host key is associated with an SSH server address (IP or hostname) so that the server can be authenticated when a connection is initiated. The user or administrator who makes the first connection to an SSH server is responsible for verifying that the host key presented by that server is the actual key (not a rogue key) before it gets placed in the known hosts file.
Source(s):
NISTIR 7966

Glossary Comments

Comments about specific definitions should be sent to the authors of the linked Source publication. For NIST publications, an email is usually found within the document.

Comments about the glossary's presentation and functionality should be sent to secglossary@nist.gov.

See NISTIR 7298 Rev. 3 for additional details.

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Information Technology Laboratory

Computer Security Resource Center

Computer Security Resource Center

Known Hosts File

Glossary Comments