Using SSH keys for authentication is a secure and efficient method to access your Linux VM on Azure. By replacing traditional passwords with key-based authentication, you significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Following these steps ensures that your Azure VM is set up with robust security measures right from the start.

This blog will guide you through the detailed steps to create and connect to a Linux VM on Azure, using SSH key-based authentication.

Steps in creating and connecting to a Linux VM on Azure

Setting up a Linux VM on Azure

Click on the create resources and select virtual machine

Create subscription

Choose your Azure subscription

Create a Resources Group or select from an existing one

Create a name your Virtual Machine

Select the Region you want the Virtual Machine to be deployed

Select the availability option according to your need

Select Security type

Select VM architectural

Select the Size of the VM according to the capacity you like to build

Administrative Account

Create the authentication type

Create a username

Select SSH key type

Select the key pair name

Select inbound ports name

Click Review and then create

Validation pass then create

Download key after the deployment pass

Go to resource after the deployment is completed

Step 2: Connect to the Azure VM

Connect to virtual machine

Get the VM IP Address:
Enter command prompt at the bottom left, then right click the command prompt to run as Administrator

Imput the following commands: ssh -i location/key username@IP Address ‪C:\Users\USER\Downloads\Anuola.pem

Enter yes and sudo apt-get -y update to run the update

Enter sudo apt-get -y install nginx to install

Then copy the the Ip address to a browser, here you are welcome to linux virtual machine.

NOTE
If yours doesn't work you can put http:// before your Ip address and it will work.

CONCLUSION

With this setup, you can confidently manage your VM on Azure, and you may consider adding extra layers of protection, like firewalls, access logging, or configuring network security groups (NSGs) to control traffic. This guide can also be reused or automated for future deployments with tools like Azure CLI or Terraform.
Enjoy working securely in the cloud!

Creating and Connecting to Linux Virtual Machine using a Public Key