5 months ago
Fri Aug 22, 2025 10:17am PST
Ask HN: Are SSH keys with passphrases considered 2FA?
It could be argued that from the servers perspective only one thing was provided, so it's not 2FA.

Then what about ssh keys AND user/password authentication?

Like this sshd_config

  PasswordAuthentication yes
  PubkeyAuthentication yes
  AuthenticationMethods publickey,password
I guess it boils down to if one thinks ssh keys are something you know or something you have? The passphrase and password is very clearly something I know.

I'd like to hear your thoughts.

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