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Why Aren't We Using SSH For Everything?

Posted by Soulskill on from the ssh-to-the-gym dept.

An anonymous reader writes: A post at Medium asks why, in this age of surveillance and privacy-related bogeymen, we aren't making greater use of SSH for our secure computing needs?

"SSH is one of the most accessible secure protocols ever, second only to HTTPS of course. Let's see what we have so far: Binary protocol, mandatory encryption, key pinning, multiplexing, compression (yes, it does that too). Aren't these the key features for why we invented HTTP/2?

Admittedly, SSH is missing some pieces. It's lacking a notion of virtual hosts, or being able to serve different endpoints on different hostnames from a single IP address. On the other hand, SSH does have several cool features over HTTP/2 though, like built-in client authentication which removes the need for registration and remembering extra passwords."

7 of 203 comments (clear)

  1. I do by Dan+East · · Score: 5, Funny

    I use SSH for everything. I use it between my cell phone and the wall charger. I use it between my thermostat and my furnace. Probably most importantly, I use it between my my remote control and TV. Never can be too careful these days.

    --
    Better known as 318230.
    1. Re:I do by wbr1 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Looks like you are onto something. Its the SSH of things. I think I need to start a CloudSSH provider now and leverage the intrinsic value of the buzzword.

      --
      Silence is a state of mime.
    2. Re:I do by Caesar+Tjalbo · · Score: 5, Funny

      2015 is the year of SSH on the desktop.

      --
      "I'm not much interested in interoperability. I want substitutability. I want to be able to throw your software out."
    3. Re:I do by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      That's nothing - I use SSH 2.0!

      2.0? you lamer...
      Us superleet types are on our own supersekret version...6.9apl3...totally rewritten in APL..It does indeed do everything (we took our inspiration from systemd), it achieved a degree of semi-sentience sometime last Tuesday, hell it now even feeds the cat..

  2. Re:Actually... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Why aren't we using SSH to monitor the computer's microphone?

    We ARE using SSH to monitor your microphone.

    Sincerely,
    The [3 characters redacted]

  3. Another idea... by marciot · · Score: 5, Funny

    Condoms are pretty good for safe sex. I think we should be using condoms to protect our bank accounts, for giving everyone safe drinking water, for screening passengers at airports and for securing your valuables in hotel rooms.

  4. Re:Medium.com by arglebargle_xiv · · Score: 4, Funny

    What's wrong with Medium? It's essentially just a blogging platform, right?

    So is Slashdot, if you're Bennett Haselton.