What is remote desktop protocol (RDP) and what are the major Remote Desktop Protocol security concerns?
Remote desktop protocol (RDP) is a protocol in which a computer system can request services provided by a remote machine connected in a networked environment. RPC is commonly used by administrators to remotely control a system for support, maintenance or to use shared computer resources. Furthermore, RPC makes it easy to establish network based client/server programs in an organization. And it allows a program running on one machine to execute a command that is actually deployed and running in another machine. Moreover, it helps to create distributed client/server architectures across environments.
Some of the security concerns of remote desktop protocol (RDP) include the following:
- Vulnerable user credentials
- Unrestricted port access to services of the organization
- DDoS attacks
- Ransomware delivery
The security concerns of remote desktop protocol (RPC) can be prevented by:
- Single Sign-on (SSO)
- Password management and enforcement
- Stringent firewall rules
- Lock down of port 3389
- Access lists
- Disabling default accounts
- Strong encryptions
- Robust authentication systems
- Session management