> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.islandrouter.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.islandrouter.com/island-router-cli-2.3.2/password-encryption-and-public-key-authentication.md).

# Password Encryption and Public Key Authentication

In general, clear text passwords such as in a URL argument are stored internally in an encrypted form so that they are unreadable when the system configuration is displayed. In some cases, an entire command parameter may be encrypted when there is special sensitivity involved. Encrypted strings begin with a tilde (“\~”) character.

The system supports SSH public key authentication for all commands that use the SSH protocol, including the ssh command and any file transfer commands using the scp and sftp schemes. This eliminates the need to specify passwords inside a URL.

The [show ssh-client-keys](/island-router-cli-2.3.2/commands/show-ssh-client-keys.md) command can be used to obtain the user’s public key from the local system so that it can be added to the list of authorized keys on the remote system.


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