Change SSH Port on Ubuntu 20/22

Overview #

In this short tutorial you will learn how to change your SSH port from the default 22 to another port. This is a recommended step during any initial server hardening.

Instructions for Debian

Instructions for Almalinux

Change your ssh port: #

• Edit your ssh configuration file:

nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

• Find line: #Port 22
• Uncomment the line
• Change 22 to your desired port number
• Save the file
• Restart SSH service

systemctl restart ssh

Check your firewall UFW #

ufw status
Status: active

If your firewall is active, it is possible it would be blocking your newly set port. As such add a firewall rule to allow your new port through the firewall:

ufw allow from any to any port 12345
ufw reload

where 12345 is the ssh port you set, or if you have existing firewall rules, it might be a good idea to add your rule on top of all rules to avoid conflicts:

ufw insert 1 allow from any to any port 12345
ufw reload

That should be all. Try and ssh into your server on your new port.