What does SSH Agent primarily handle in a Linux environment?

SSH Agent primarily handles SSH key management in a Linux environment. It serves as a program that stores and manages private SSH keys used for authenticating to remote servers without requiring the user to input their private key password every time a connection is made. This allows for secure, password-less logins, which enhances convenience and security.

When a user initiates an SSH session, the SSH Agent facilitates the authentication process by providing the necessary private key to the SSH client when requested. This is particularly useful during interactions with multiple SSH servers, since it prevents the need to repeatedly enter passphrases. The agent acts as a bridge, securing the keys in memory and reducing the exposure of private key passphrases.

In contrast, user passwords are typically handled by system authentication processes rather than the SSH Agent. Session creation involves instantiating a new session for the SSH connection but is not the primary function of the agent itself. Lastly, file permissions are a separate concept altogether, relating to access control on the filesystem rather than key management.