--- title: "How to connect to your VPS for the first time via SSH | StreetHosting" description: "First login to a Linux VPS: connect over SSH from Windows, Linux and Mac, understand the IP, user and password, update the system and get started safely." url: "https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/connect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time" type: "page" language: "en-US" --- VPS · 3 min · Beginner Published on Jun 17, 2026 · Updated on Jun 17, 2026 # Connecting to your VPS for the first time via SSH You bought the VPS and received an IP, a user and a password. Now it is time for the first login. Here is how to connect over SSH from any system and what to do in the first few minutes. By [Equipe StreetHosting](https://streethosting.com.br/en/autores#equipe-streethosting) · StreetHosting infrastructure and support team [Linux administration](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/linux) [Security and hardening](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/security) [Windows and RDP](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/windows) [Getting started](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/getting-started) Summarize with: [](https://chat.openai.com/?q=Summarize%20the%20key%20points%20of%20this%20StreetHosting%20guide%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Fconnect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time.%20Highlight%20the%20step-by-step%20instructions%2C%20the%20prerequisites%20and%20the%20most%20common%20mistakes. "ChatGPT") [](https://claude.ai/new?q=Summarize%20the%20key%20points%20of%20this%20StreetHosting%20guide%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Fconnect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time.%20Highlight%20the%20step-by-step%20instructions%2C%20the%20prerequisites%20and%20the%20most%20common%20mistakes. "Claude") [](https://www.google.com/search?udm=50&aep=11&q=Summarize%20the%20key%20points%20of%20this%20StreetHosting%20guide%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Fconnect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time.%20Highlight%20the%20step-by-step%20instructions%2C%20the%20prerequisites%20and%20the%20most%20common%20mistakes. "Google AI Mode") [](https://x.com/i/grok?text=Summarize%20the%20key%20points%20of%20this%20StreetHosting%20guide%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Fconnect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time.%20Highlight%20the%20step-by-step%20instructions%2C%20the%20prerequisites%20and%20the%20most%20common%20mistakes. "Grok") [](https://www.perplexity.ai/search/new?q=Summarize%20the%20key%20points%20of%20this%20StreetHosting%20guide%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Fconnect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time.%20Highlight%20the%20step-by-step%20instructions%2C%20the%20prerequisites%20and%20the%20most%20common%20mistakes. "Perplexity") Share: [](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=How%20to%20connect%20to%20your%20VPS%20for%20the%20first%20time%20via%20SSH&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Fconnect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time "Share on X") [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Fconnect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time "Share on Facebook") [](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Fconnect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time "Share on LinkedIn") [](https://wa.me/?text=How%20to%20connect%20to%20your%20VPS%20for%20the%20first%20time%20via%20SSH%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Fconnect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time "Share on WhatsApp") For agents: Copy as Markdown [.md](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/connect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time.md) In this guide 5 sections * [What you receive](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/connect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time#o-que-voce-recebe) * [Connect over SSH](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/connect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time#conectar) * [First steps](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/connect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time#primeiros-passos) * [Common errors](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/connect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time#erros-comuns) * [Next steps](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/connect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time#proximos-passos) Quick answer To **connect to your VPS for the first time**, get the IP, user and password from the control panel and run `ssh usuario@IP` in the Windows, Linux or Mac terminal. Confirm the host key on the first login, enter the password and update the system. Then create a user with sudo instead of staying on root. ## What you receive[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/connect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time#o-que-voce-recebe) When you get a VPS, you receive three essential pieces of information: the IP, which is the machine's address, the initial user, usually root, and the password. With these you open an SSH session, which is the remote terminal that lets you control the server as if you were sitting in front of it. | Item | What it is | Where to find it | | -------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------ | | IP | The VPS address on the internet | Control panel or welcome email | | User | Initial account, usually root | Control panel or email | | Password | Password for the initial user | Control panel or email | ## Connect over SSH[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/connect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time#conectar) 1. Open the terminal on your system. 2. Type `ssh root@SEU_IP` replacing it with the real IP. 3. Confirm the host fingerprint the first time. 4. Enter the password and press enter. The password does not show while you type. That is intentional. Type it calmly and press enter even though you see nothing on the screen. ## First steps[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/connect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time#primeiros-passos) * Update the system packages on your very first login * Set a strong password if you are still using the default one * Write down the IP and the access method somewhere safe * Plan to create a user with sudo Updating the system closes known vulnerabilities. It is the first reflex of anyone who administers a server. Next, improve access security by following [secure SSH on a Linux VPS](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/secure-ssh-linux-vps). ## Common errors[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/connect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time#erros-comuns) Connection refused or a timeout is usually a wrong IP, a changed SSH port or the provider's firewall. Check the IP in the control panel and make sure the VPS is actually powered on before hunting for a bigger problem. ## Next steps[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/connect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time#proximos-passos) With access working, make login easier and safer with a [passwordless SSH key](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/passwordless-ssh-login-vps) and create a [user with sudo](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/create-sudo-user-linux-vps). If you are still choosing a machine, compare the lineup on [VPS plans](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps). In this guide * [What you receive](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/connect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time#o-que-voce-recebe) * [Connect over SSH](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/connect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time#conectar) * [First steps](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/connect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time#primeiros-passos) * [Common errors](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/connect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time#erros-comuns) * [Next steps](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/connect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time#proximos-passos) ## Frequently asked questions Which program do I use to connect from Windows? Current Windows already has the ssh command in the terminal, so just open PowerShell or the Command Prompt and use ssh user at IP. On older versions, PuTTY is the classic option. What is the fingerprint message on the first login? It is SSH confirming the server's identity. On the first login, you accept the host key so the server is recognized next time. It is normal and safe to accept on a legitimate first connection. Why doesn't my password show up when I type it? For security, the terminal does not display the password as you type, not even as asterisks. Type it normally and press enter. This is expected and does not mean something is wrong. Should I keep using root? For the initial tasks, yes, but the best practice is to create a user with sudo and stop logging in as root day to day. That lowers the risk of one mistake affecting the whole system. Next step See VPS plans Root VPS in Brazil with NVMe and Anti-DDoS. [See VPS plans](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps) [See Ryzen VPS Ryzen 9 9950X VPS in São Paulo with root access, NVMe and gamer Anti-DDoS.](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps/ryzen) [See Xeon VPS Xeon VPS for steady workloads, automation and long-running projects.](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps/xeon) ## Related guides [VPS Intermediate How to secure SSH on a Linux VPS: keys, passwords, fail2ban SSH is usually the first target on any VPS with a public IP. This guide walks through a practical routine that cuts the risk without complicating your day: an ED25519 key, password-free login, admin access through sudo, blocking of automated attempts and a periodic review of authorized keys. 4 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/secure-ssh-linux-vps) [VPS Intermediate How to set up passwordless SSH key login on a VPS Key-based login is safer and easier than a password. You generate a key pair, copy the public key to the server, and log in without typing anything. Here is how, in a few steps. 3 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/passwordless-ssh-login-vps) [VPS Intermediate How to create a sudo user on a Linux VPS Running as root all the time is risky: one wrong command affects everything. The best practice is to create a regular user with sudo and keep root for when you really need it. 3 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/create-sudo-user-linux-vps) [← Back to the Guide Center](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides)