What is a .PPK file?
The .PPK file extension stands for PuTTY Private Key File. This type of file is created by a program called PuTTYgen, which is the PuTTY Key Generator. PuTTYgen is used to create keys for a type of security known as public-key cryptography. In this system, a private key, which is stored in the .PPK file, pairs with a corresponding public key to enable secure communication over networks like the internet.
The .PPK file contains the private key and is crucial for setting up secure connections. For example, when you want to connect securely to another computer or server that recognizes your public key, you will use the private key stored in the .PPK file to authenticate yourself.
You can open .PPK files using several programs: 1. **PuTTY**: This is a free SSH (Secure Shell) and Telnet client that uses .PPK files for authentication when establishing a secure connection. To use a .PPK file in PuTTY, go to the PuTTY Configuration menu, then under Connection → SSH → Auth, click on 'Browse...' to select your .PPK file as the "Private key file for authentication." 2. **PuTTYgen**: This is the program that originally creates the .PPK files. You can also use it to load and modify existing .PPK files.
3. **WinSCP**: This is an SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) client for Windows. It also supports the use of .PPK files for secure file transfers. To set up a .PPK file in WinSCP, create a new connection and go to Advanced → SSH → Authentication, then select your .PPK file under "Private key file." These programs help in managing and utilizing .PPK files for secure communication and file transfers, ensuring that your data remains protected during remote interactions.
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