shutting out dictionary attacks on ssh passwords

["Erik E. Fair" <fair%netbsd.org@localhost>]

For those of us with public IP addresses, what is the most popular
and effective way to shut out the various door-knob turners who
keep trying account/password combinations again ssh and other such
services?

I'm tired of spew on the consoles and log entries ... and I'd prefer
to shut the door-knob turners out than silence the screaming daemons.

        Erik <fair%netbsd.org@localhost>