SSH is a program that connects computers and encrypts communication between them. It installs via "sudo apt-get install ssh" and enables remote access when configured properly in the sshd_config file. SSH uses public/private key pairs for authentication, with the private key remaining only with the user and the public key at the server to encrypt data only readable by the private key holder. Example SSH client software includes Putty and Tera Term. While Telnet also allows remote access, it does not encrypt communication like SSH does.