Secure Your Servers with Real-time SSH Monitoring

Detect unauthorized access attempts, track user activity, and receive instant alerts for suspicious behavior with our comprehensive SSH monitoring solution.

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Comprehensive SSH Monitoring Features

Real-time Intrusion Detection

Monitor login attempts in real-time and receive immediate alerts for suspicious activities like brute force attacks or unauthorized access attempts.

User Activity Tracking

Track and log all SSH sessions, commands executed, and file transfers to maintain a complete audit trail of server activity.

Customizable Alerting

Configure alert thresholds and notification preferences to focus on the security events that matter most to your organization.

Automated Response

Set up automated responses to security incidents, such as blocking IP addresses after multiple failed login attempts.

Why Monitor SSH Activity?

Prevent Unauthorized Access

SSH is a primary target for attackers seeking server access. According to SSH.com, servers face hundreds to thousands of break-in attempts daily, with SSH being a common attack vector.

Maintain Compliance

Many regulatory frameworks like PCI DSS, SOC 2, and HIPAA require monitoring of privileged access. SSH monitoring helps meet these compliance requirements by providing detailed audit trails of all server access.

Detect Insider Threats

Not all threats come from outside your organization. According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, approximately 34% of data breaches involve internal actors.

Reduce Mean Time to Resolution

When security incidents occur, rapid detection and response are critical. SSH monitoring provides the visibility needed to quickly identify and address security issues.

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Easy Implementation with Forward Email

Ready-to-Use SSH Monitoring Script

Below is a complete, production-ready Bash script for monitoring SSH login attempts and sending alerts via Forward Email. This script can be easily customized to fit your specific security requirements.

Installation Instructions

  1. Download the script: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/forwardemail/sshmonitor.com/refs/heads/main/ssh_monitor.sh
  2. Save the script to your server: 
    sudo nano /usr/local/bin/ssh_monitor.sh

    Paste the script above and save the file.

  3. Make the script executable: 
    sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/ssh_monitor.sh
  4. Configure the script:

    Edit the configuration variables at the top of the script to match your environment:

    • Set EMAIL_TO to your administrator email address
    • Set EMAIL_FROM to your alert sender address
    • Get an API key from Forward Email and set FORWARD_EMAIL_API_KEY
  5. Set up a cron job to run the script periodically: 
    sudo crontab -e

    Add the following line to run the script every 10 minutes:

    */10 * * * * /usr/local/bin/ssh_monitor.sh
  6. Test the script: 
    sudo /usr/local/bin/ssh_monitor.sh

    Check the log file to verify it's working:

    tail /var/log/ssh_monitor.log

SSH Monitoring Tools & Resources

Recommended Tools

Below is a curated list of popular tools for SSH monitoring and security:

Fail2ban

Ban hosts that cause multiple authentication errors.

GitHub Repository

SSHGuard

Protects hosts from brute-force attacks against SSH and other services.

GitHub Repository

CrowdSec

Behavior detection engine and collaborative IP reputation system.

GitHub Repository

OSSEC

Host-based Intrusion Detection System with SSH monitoring capabilities.

GitHub Repository

Additional Resources

  • DenyHosts - SSH server access control and monitoring
  • Logwatch - Customizable log analysis system
  • Monit - Utility for monitoring services on a Unix system

Integration with Forward Email

All of these tools can be configured to send alerts through Forward Email's SMTP service or HTTP API. This provides:

  • High deliverability for critical security notifications
  • Reliable email delivery for automated alerts
  • Simple integration with existing monitoring infrastructure
  • Cost-effective solution at only $3000/year fixed pricing

For implementation examples, refer to the SSH monitoring script provided above.

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SSH Security Alert Notifications

Receive immediate notifications when suspicious SSH activity is detected. Our system sends real-time alerts for login failures, unusual access patterns, and potential security breaches.

Real-time Monitoring

Get instant notifications of suspicious SSH activity as it happens, not hours or days later.

Customizable Rules

Define what constitutes suspicious activity based on your organization's security policies.

Detailed Reports

Receive comprehensive information about each security event, including IP addresses, usernames, and timestamps.

Citations & References

  1. Fail2ban. (2025). Fail2ban Documentation. Retrieved April 6, 2025, from https://github.com/fail2ban/fail2ban
  2. Forward Email. (2025). API Documentation. Retrieved April 6, 2025, from https://forwardemail.net/api
  3. NIST. (2024). Guide to SSH Implementation. National Institute of Standards and Technology. Retrieved April 6, 2025.