SSH gives you an encrypted terminal session to your server: every command you type and every byte that comes back is protected from eavesdropping. It authenticates with a password or, better, an SSH key.
SSH is more than a shell — programs use it as a transport for file transfer (SFTP/SCP) and remote monitoring. VpsMonitor.Pro, for example, performs all of its work over a single SSH connection: reading metrics, running health checks and executing the actions you confirm.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to leave SSH on the default port 22?
It works, but the default port attracts constant bot scans. Moving SSH to a non-standard port plus key authentication and a firewall dramatically cuts the noise.
What is the difference between SSH and SFTP?
SFTP is file transfer running over the SSH connection — same encryption and login, but for files instead of commands.