How to Protect Remote Desktop Connection?- Whether we like it or not, Remote Desktop Connection is now a target for harmful threats and internet attacks, whether we like it or not. This is due to an increase in the number of people using Windows Remote Desktop to remotely administer all Windows server computers in their local networks.
If, on the other hand, you’re asking yourself, “How can I protect my remote desktop connection?” the answer is straightforward. Today, we’ll look at the various security tips for protecting your personal remote desktop connection.
Secure Remote Desktop Software
Because Windows Remote Desktop is one of the simplest ways to manage Windows servers, it has recently been a target of modern-day hacking. Although it has security safeguards that protect your device and network from attack, these features are insufficient to deal with today’s sophisticated hacking.
Three healthcare organisations that used Microsoft Remote Desktop had their databases hacked by hackers due to weaknesses in the companies’ remote desktop protocol (RDP) implementations, according to Threatpost. As a result, 655,000 healthcare records were sold on the dark web in Georgia, Farmington, Missouri, and the Central/Midwest United States.
What is Secure RDP?
The FBI has also issued a warning regarding remote desktop hacking and the seriousness of the threat it poses to your company. According to Small Business Trends, RDP attacks have been on the rise since mid-to-late 2016, with the goal of carrying out undesired actions including gaining unauthorised access to your remote access system and network.
Best Tips to Protect Remote Desktop Connection
Consider some of the security tips provided below to solve your query “How to Protect Remote Desktop Connections?”
Use strong passwords
Creating a strong password is one method to start securing your remote desktop connection. This will protect your organization’s RDP from unwanted attacks and threats as the first line of security. Make it mandatory for all users who have access to a secure remote desktop connection to enter a password when using the RDP on your system. Berkeley specifies that your password must have at least one numeric and one special character.
Update your software
Make sure you have the most recent versions of both the client and server software for Microsoft RDP. This can be accomplished by turning on Microsoft Updates. You must ensure that your RDP is up-to-date and has the newest security features, as older RDP versions are sometimes unable of keeping up with high encryptions and are usually more faulty than their current counterparts.
Limit access using firewalls
The Windows firewall can be used to restrict access to your RDP. Any connection attempts from an IP address outside of your scope will be blocked. The following are the procedures you must do to scope your RDP port (as listed on Liquid Web’s website):
- Type Windows Firewall into the Windows search bar.
- Select Windows Firewall with Advanced Security from the drop-down menu.
- Inbound Rules should be selected.
- Look for an RDP rule.
- Double-click the RDP rule to activate it.
- Select the Scope tab.
- In the list of authorised Remote IPs, include your most recent IP address.
- Select These IP Addresses from the drop-down menu.
- Select OK.
Enable Network Level Verification
Enabling network level verification is one technique to secure your remote desktop connection. Before you may establish a remote desktop session, you must first complete a level of authentication through this approach. NLA, or network level authentication, is enabled by default in Windows 7, 8, and 10.
Limit users who can log in using remote desktop
Even if all administrators have access to remote desktop, it isn’t required for them to do so when they don’t need it. If you aren’t using remote desktop to manage your system or networks, you should temporarily disable administrator access.
Use two-factor authentication on highly sensitive systems
TFA, or two-factor authentication, is another approach to make your secure remote desktop sessions more secure. TFA, according to Devolutions, combines two different login components to enable stronger user authentication. The user’s password and a key fob or smartcard are frequently included in these components. Because two-factor authentication is required, unlawful access will be less likely to be able to give both of the required identifications.
