How to disable direct root login in your server

1. SSH into your server as root user.

2. Open the ssh configuration file using an editor like Vi

$ vi /etc/ssh/sshd_config

3. Find the line
Protocol 2, 1

4. Uncomment it and change it to look like
Protocol 2

5. Next, find the line

PermitRootLogin yes

6. Uncomment it and make it look like PermitRootLogin no

7. Save the file Ctrl+X then Y then enter

8. Now you can restart SSH
/etc/rc.d/init.d/sshd restart

Now, no one will be able to login to root with out first loggin in as admin and 'su -' to root, and you will be forcing the use of a more secure protocol. Just make sure you remember both passwords!

***If you're using cPanel make sure you add your admin user to the 'wheel' group so that you will be able to 'su -' to root, otherwise you may lock yourself out of root.***