How to pass password to scp?

linux scp io-redirection
Argelbargel picture Argelbargel · Sep 8, 2008 · Viewed 745.5k times · Source

I know it is not recommended, but is it at all possible to pass the user's password to scp?

I'd like to copy a file via scp as part of a batch job and the receiving server does, of course, need a password and, no, I cannot easily change that to key-based authentication.

Answer

KevinS picture KevinS · Dec 19, 2012

Use sshpass:

sshpass -p "password" scp -r [email protected]:/some/remote/path /some/local/path

or so the password does not show in the bash history

sshpass -f "/path/to/passwordfile" scp -r [email protected]:/some/remote/path /some/local/path

The above copies contents of path from the remote host to your local.

Install :

  • ubuntu/debian
    • apt install sshpass
  • centos/fedora
    • yum install sshpass
  • mac w/ macports
    • port install sshpass
  • mac w/ brew
    • brew install https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kadwanev/bigboybrew/master/Library/Formula/sshpass.rb

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