Disable SSH root login

 Here is the step by step procedure to disable/deny direct root login via SSH

1. Login to the server as Root

2. Edit /etc/ssh/sshd_config

    Look for the line,

  PermitRootLogin=Yes

and then change the value of it to,

  PermitRootLogin=No 

3. Restart the sshd service and make sure its turned on

    service sshd restart        or     /etc/init.d/sshd restart

  
    service sshd status