How To SSH Raspberry Pi Over The Internet: A Step-by-Step Guide

Dulce Lynch I 07 Jun 2025

Introduction

Imagine being able to control your Raspberry Pi from anywhere in the world. SSH (Secure Shell) is a powerful tool that allows you to remotely access your Raspberry Pi's command line, enabling you to manage files, run commands, and even control domestic devices with ease. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to set up secure remote access to your Raspberry Pi over the internet.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced user, this guide will explain each step in detail, ensuring you can achieve secure and efficient access to your device without compromising security. Let's dive in!

Why Use SSH for Remote Access?

SSH is a secure protocol that allows you to control your Raspberry Pi remotely. It provides a convenient and powerful way to manage your device from anywhere in the world. With SSH, you can:

Run commands on your Raspberry Pi remotely.
Transfer files seamlessly between your local machine and Raspberry Pi.
Access various online services and applications hosted on your Raspberry Pi.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you'll be able to securely access your Raspberry Pi remotely over the internet.

Prerequisites

What You'll Need

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

A Raspberry Pi with Raspberry Pi OS installed.
An active internet connection on your Raspberry Pi.
A computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux) with an SSH client installed.

Step-by-Step Guide to SSH Raspberry Pi Over the Internet

1. Enable SSH on Your Raspberry Pi

Enabling SSH is the first step in setting up remote access to your Raspberry Pi. Follow these steps:

Open the Raspberry Pi Configuration tool by typing sudo raspi-config in the terminal.
Navigate to the "Interfaces" tab and select "SSH."
Choose "Enable" to activate SSH on your Raspberry Pi.

Alternatively, you can enable SSH by running the following command in the terminal:

sudo systemctl enable ssh sudo systemctl start ssh

2. Install OpenSSH Server

If SSH isn't already installed on your Raspberry Pi, you can install the OpenSSH server by running:

sudo apt update sudo apt install openssh-server

3. Set a Static IP Address

Setting a static IP address ensures that your Raspberry Pi's IP address remains consistent, making it easier to connect remotely. Follow these steps:

Open the terminal and edit the DHCP configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/dhcpcd.conf

Add the following lines at the end of the file, replacing eth0 with your network interface and 192.168.1.100 with your desired static IP:

interface eth0 static ip_address=192.168.1.100/24 static routers=192.168.1.1 static domain_name_servers=192.168.1.1

4. Configure Port Forwarding or Use an External Service

To access your Raspberry Pi over the internet, you'll need to configure port forwarding on your router or use an external service like Pitunnel or RealVNC's Cloud VNC Viewer. Here's how:

Option 1: Port Forwarding

Port forwarding involves directing incoming traffic from the internet to your Raspberry Pi. Follow these steps:

Log in to your router's admin panel.
Locate the "Port Forwarding" section.
Create a new rule to forward port 22 (the default SSH port) to your Raspberry Pi's static IP address.

Option 2: Use External Services

If you prefer not to modify your router settings, you can use external services like Pitunnel or RealVNC's Cloud VNC Viewer. These services allow you to access SSH or VNC on your Raspberry Pi over the internet without needing to configure port forwarding.

5. Test Your SSH Connection

Once everything is set up, test your SSH connection by running the following command on your computer:

ssh pi@your-raspberry-pi-ip-address

Replace your-raspberry-pi-ip-address with your Raspberry Pi's public IP address if you're using port forwarding, or with the hostname provided by the external service.

Additional Tips for Secure SSH Access

Security is paramount when accessing your Raspberry Pi over the internet. Here are some tips to ensure your connection remains secure:

Use Strong Passwords: Avoid weak passwords and consider using a password manager to generate strong ones.
Enable Key-Based Authentication: Generate an SSH key pair and use it instead of a password for authentication.
Change the Default SSH Port: Modify the default SSH port (22) to a non-standard port to reduce the risk of automated attacks.
Install a Firewall: Use tools like ufw (Uncomplicated Firewall) to restrict access to specific ports.

Alternative Methods to Access Raspberry Pi Over the Internet

There are several alternative methods to access your Raspberry Pi over the internet without using port forwarding or SSH tunneling:

1. Use Pitunnel

Pitunnel is a service that allows you to remotely access your Raspberry Pi and the projects you build on it. It includes a device monitor and remote terminal, and you can create custom tunnels for secure access.

2. Use RealVNC's Cloud VNC Viewer

RealVNC's Cloud VNC Viewer enables you to access your Raspberry Pi's graphical interface securely over the internet. It works within a VPN or using an external service, providing a convenient alternative to SSH.

Conclusion

SSHing into your Raspberry Pi over the internet is a secure and convenient way to access various online services and applications. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can configure SSH on your Raspberry Pi to ensure secure and efficient access to your device.

Remember to always prioritize security measures to protect your Raspberry Pi from unauthorized access. Whether you choose to use port forwarding, dynamic DNS, or external services like Pitunnel or RealVNC, the fundamental concept revolves around establishing a secure connection to your Raspberry Pi over the internet.

In summary, this guide has covered:

Enabling SSH on your Raspberry Pi.
Installing OpenSSH server.
Setting a static IP address.
Configuring port forwarding or using external services.
Testing your SSH connection.
Additional tips for secure SSH access.
Alternative methods to access Raspberry Pi over the internet.

With these steps, you're now equipped to remotely control your Raspberry Pi from anywhere in the world. Enjoy your newfound freedom and control!

Connectez vous en SSH à votre Raspberry Pi pour la contrôller depuis

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