This is a simple reminder to those creating user accounts on Linux systems with the expectation that the intended user will be able to log in using their SSH keys. There’s also instructions on adding them to the “sudoers” groups.
Ubuntu & CentOS/Redhat
Create the user and place their SSH public key for them:
useradd -m <username> mkdir /home/<username>/.ssh vi /home/<username>/.ssh/authorized_keys #add the key chown <username>.<username>-R /home/<username>/.ssh chmod 700 /home/<username>/.ssh chmod 600 /home/<username>/.ssh/ authorized_keys
If you want that user to be able to SUDO, consider these additional steps:
Ubuntu
# If “/etc/sudoers” doesn’t have “%sudo ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL” set
passwd <username>
# Add the user to the “sudo” group
usermod -aG sudo <username>
CentOS/Redhat
# If “/etc/sudoers” doesn’t have “%wheel ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL” set
passwd <username>
# Add the user to the “wheel” group
usermod -aG wheel <username>
