If you see an
SSH Man-in-the-Middle warning after reinstalling your
Evoxt Linux VPS, don’t panic. This guide explains why the SSH Man-in-the-Middle warning appears on Linux servers and shows you how to fix it safely.
Why This Warning Appears
When you reinstall your Linux server at Evoxt, the system generates a new SSH host key. Your local machine stores the old fingerprint and detects the change, triggering an
SSH Man-in-the-Middle warning. This feature helps prevent impersonation or eavesdropping attempts, but it can also appear after a legitimate server reinstall.
Step 1: Confirm the Server Was Reinstalled
First, ensure that you have actually reinstalled your Evoxt Linux server, the IP address hasn’t changed unexpectedly, and the activity was authorized by you.
Step 2: Remove the Old SSH Fingerprint
On Linux, macOS, or WSL, run:
ssh-keygen -R your.server.ip
Example:
ssh-keygen -R 197.123.123.1

This command deletes the outdated fingerprint stored in your local
known_hosts
file.
Step 3: Reconnect to the Evoxt Server
ssh root@your.server.ip

When prompted, type
yes and press Enter. The new fingerprint will be saved automatically.
Step 4 (Optional): Verify the New Fingerprint
For extra security, open the Evoxt VPS console and run:
ssh-keygen -lf /etc/ssh/ssh_host_rsa_key.pub
If you haven’t reinstalled your Evoxt Linux server and still receive an
SSH Man-in-the-Middle warning, do not continue. This could be a real attack. Contact Evoxt Support immediately to verify server integrity.
Security Note
If you did
not reinstall your server and still see this warning, stop immediately — it could be a real attack.
Conclusion
Seeing an
SSH Man-in-the-Middle warning after reinstalling your Evoxt Linux VPS is expected due to a new SSH key. Simply remove the old key from your system and verify the new fingerprint to re-establish a secure connection. By following these steps, you ensure a safer and more reliable connection for future sessions.
Need help?
Contact Evoxt Support — our technical team is ready to assist.