Introduction: 

As a WHM (Web Host Manager) user, you have the ability to enable SSH (Secure Shell) access for cPanel accounts hosted on your server. This KB article provides two methods for enabling SSH access: via the "Modify an Account" screen or by editing the packages used by the accounts. By following these steps, you can grant SSH privileges to specific cPanel accounts, allowing users to securely manage their hosting accounts through command-line access.

Method 1: Enabling SSH Access via the "Modify an Account" Screen

Step 1: Log in to WHM
  1. Open your preferred web browser and enter the URL for your WHM login page. Typically, this is accessed by appending "/whm" to your domain name (e.g., https://yourdomain.com/whm).
  2. Enter your WHM login credentials (username and password) and click "Log in."
Step 2: Access the "Modify an Account" Page
  1. In WHM, use the search bar at the top-left corner of the interface and search for "Modify an Account."
  2. Click on the "Modify an Account" option that appears in the search results.
Step 3: Select the Account to Enable SSH Access
  1. On the "Modify an Account" page, locate and select the cPanel account for which you wish to enable SSH access.
  2. Click the "Modify" button to proceed.
Step 4: Enabling SSH Access
  1. In the account modification screen, scroll down to the "Shell Access" section
  2. Select the desired option by clicking the corresponding checkbox
  3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the "Save" button to apply the changes.


Method 2: Enabling SSH Access by Editing Packages

Step 1: Access the "Edit a Package" Page
  1. Log in to WHM using your credentials.
  2. In WHM, use the search bar at the top-left corner of the interface and search for "Edit a Package."
  3. Click on the "Edit a Package" option that appears in the search results.
Step 2: Select the Package to Edit
  1. On the "Edit a Package" page, locate and select the package used by the cPanel account for which you want to enable SSH access.
  2. Click the "Edit" button to proceed.
Step 3: Enabling SSH Access
  1. In the package modification screen, scroll down to the "Settings" section.
  2. Locate the "Shell Access" option 
  3. Select the desired option by clicking the corresponding checkbox.
  4. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the "Save" button to apply the changes.


Conclusion: Enabling SSH access for cPanel accounts via WHM allows users to manage their hosting accounts through command-line access securely. By following either the "Modify an Account" or "Edit a Package" method outlined in this KB article, you can grant SSH privileges to specific cPanel accounts. Choose the appropriate method based on your preference and needs. Remember to communicate the SSH login details to the respective cPanel account owners and encourage the use of SSH key-based authentication for enhanced security.