How to use password for ftp user and still maintain pem authentication for root?

Question

I have got a machine (ubuntu 20.04.2) with root access and root authentication is done strictly with pem file. There is need to setup vsftpd & ftp user which has been done. But ftp user cannot login to machine apparently because PasswordAuthentication is set to NO in SSH config file.

filezilla error: no supported authentication methods

Is there a way to maintain status quo for root authentication using PEM file only and still have ftp user strictly authenticated using password?

Answer 1

You need to specify the following two options in your sshd config file:

PasswordAuthentication yes

This allows the use of passwords for your FTP user (and all other users).

PermitRootLogin prohibit-password

This explicitly allows root to only login via ssh using a keyfile, and prevents logging in as root with password.