linux - How to pass password to scp?

Question

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 1

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