Question: How do I add new user accounts with SSH access to my Amazon EC2 Linux instance?

I want to add new user accounts that can connect to my Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) Linux instance using SSH.

Short descriptionEvery Amazon EC2 Linux instance launches with a default system user account with administrative access to the instance. If multiple users require access to the instance, then it's a security best practice to use separate accounts for each user.You can expedite these steps by using cloud-init and user data. For more information, see How do I add new user accounts with SSH access to my EC2 instance using cloud-init and user data?ResolutionCreate a key pair for the new user accountCreate a key pair, or use an existing one, for the new user.If you create your own key pair using the command line, then follow the recommendations at create-key-pair or New-EC2KeyPair Cmdlet for key type and bit length.If you create your own key pair using a third-party tool, then be sure that your key matches the guidelines. For more information, see Create a key pair using a third-party tool and import the public key to Amazon EC2.Add a new user to the EC2 Linux instance1.    Connect to your Linux instance using SSH.2.    Use the adduser command to add a new user account to an EC2 instance (replace new_user with the new account name). The following example creates an associated group, home directory, and an entry in the /etc/passwd file of the instance.$ sudo adduser new_userThe home directory might not be created by default in some configurations. Verify that the home directory was created before continuing.Note: If you add the new_user to an Ubuntu instance, then include the --disabled-password option to avoid adding a password to the new account:$ sudo adduser new_user --disabled-password3.    Change the security context to the new_user account so that folders and files you create have the correct permissions:$ sudo su - new_userNote: When you run the sudo su - new_user command, the name at the top of the command shell prompt changes to reflect the new user account context of your shell session.4.    Create a .ssh directory in the new_user home directory:$ mkdir .ssh5.    Use the chmod command to change the .ssh directory's permissions to 700. Changing the permissions restricts access so that only the new_user can read, write, or open the .ssh directory.$ chmod 700 .ssh6.    Use the touch command to create the authorized_keys file in the .ssh directory:$ touch .ssh/authorized_keys7.    Use the chmod command to change the .ssh/authorized_keys file permissions to 600. Changing the file permissions restricts read or write access to the new_user.$ chmod 600 .ssh/authorized_keysRetrieve the public key for your key pairRetrieve the public key for your key pair using the method that applies to your configuration:Create a key pair using a third-party tool and import the public key to Amazon EC2Retrieve the public key from the private keyRetrieve the public key for your key pair through instance metadataVerify your key pair's fingerprintAfter you import your own public key or retrieve the public key for your key pair, follow the steps at Verify your key pair's fingerprint.Update and verify the new user account credentialsAfter you retrieve the public key, confirm that you have permission to add the public key to the .ssh/authorized_keys file for this account:1.    Run the Linux cat command in append mode:$ cat >> .ssh/authorized_keys2.    Paste the public key into the .ssh/authorized_keys file and then press Enter.Note: For most Linux command line interfaces, the Ctrl+Shift+V key combination pastes the contents of the clipboard into the command line window. For the PuTTY command line interface, right-click to paste the contents of the clipboard into the PuTTY command line window.3.    Press and hold Ctrl+d to exit cat and return to the command line session prompt.Verify that the new user can use SSH to connect to the EC2 instance1.    Run the following command from a command line prompt on your local computer:$ ssh -i /path/new_key_pair.pem new_user@public_dns_name_of_EC2_Linux_instanceTo connect to your EC2 Linux instance using SSH from Windows, follow the steps at Connect to your Linux instance from Windows using PuTTY.Note: If you receive errors when trying to connect, refer to Troubleshoot connecting to your instance.2.    Run the id command from the instance's command line to view the user and group information created for the new_user account:$ idThe id command returns information similar to the following:uid=1004(new_user) gid=1004(new_user) groups=1004(new_user)3.    Distribute the private key file to your new user.

Related informationManage users on your Linux instance