diff --git a/accounts/utils.py b/accounts/utils.py
index da30c0a..4507a54 100644
--- a/accounts/utils.py
+++ b/accounts/utils.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ def validate_ssh_key(key):
     username = array[2]
     # must have only valid rsa-ssh key characters ie binascii characters
     try:
-        data = base64.decodestring(string)
+        data = base64.decodebytes(string)
     except binascii.Error:
         return False
     # unpack the contents of data, from data[:4] , property of ssh key .
diff --git a/webvirtcloud/settings.py.template b/webvirtcloud/settings.py.template
index bb37597..17156e1 100644
--- a/webvirtcloud/settings.py.template
+++ b/webvirtcloud/settings.py.template
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ INSTALLED_APPS = [
     "django.contrib.sessions",
     "django.contrib.messages",
     "django.contrib.staticfiles",
-    "rest_framework",
     "django_bootstrap5",
     "django_icons",
     "django_otp",