my ssh password

Hey guys,

I am trying to turn in an assignment for my Java class via SSH however I am having issues trying to figure out what my own computer's login password is (the password I use normally to login to my computer is not working) ...i am currently connecting to ieng6.ucsd.edu (the remote server) and am trying to do a test where I copy a file from the remote server onto my own computer, here is the command I am using:

i am prompted for the remote server login password, which I enter, and it accepts.
THEN, it asks for the viratsingh@localhost's password: at which point I enter the password I use to login to my mac when I boot up, make system changes, etc. and it says:

'Permission Denied. please try again.'

So i try it again, with the same login password that i usually use and after 3 attempts it flatly states;

'Permission denied (publickey,password,hostbased).'

What the hell is my remote mac password and how do I find it??

Thanks!