How to protect Windows remote desktop and avoid problems

What is Windows Remote Desktop

The windows remote desktop is a Microsoft tool that allows us to control our equipment remotely. This is very useful today to be able to access files or content that we have on a computer.

It is also very useful to be able to solve a problem on a friend or relative’s computer, without having to be physically fit. Basically we are going to take control of that equipment and be able to use it normally.

We live in an age where everything remote has gained significant weight. We have more adapted devices, more computers connected to the network and more services available to use without having to be in front of a computer or mobile.

The cloud, remote access to devices, being able to save files and have them available anywhere … All this is very important today, both for private users and also at the level of companies and organizations. That is where the use of tools such as the Windows remote desktop comes into play.

It should also be borne in mind that Windows 10 is the most widely used operating system on desktop computers. This makes it very interesting for many users. It can be part of the day-to-day work also of the workers, to be able to access remotely to their posts without needing to be present.

Tips to improve remote desktop security

The safety it is a factor that must be present at all times. It does not matter what type of device we use or what tool we have in operation. We must always protect privacy and avoid problems. This becomes even more important when we talk about programs with network access, such as the Windows remote desktop.

For this reason we are going to give a series of basic tips that we can put into practice. In this way we will avoid problems, protect our equipment and prevent the entry of intruders that could compromise our files and devices.

Use strong passwords and two-step authentication

Without a doubt, something essential that we must take into account at all times when protecting the remote desktop or any service or tool that we use is create passwords that are strong. A password must be strong enough to prevent potential intruders from accessing our accounts.

That password must contain special symbols, as well as numbers and letters (uppercase and lowercase). But it must also be of a suitable length, be unique, and totally random. Only in this way will we generate a robust key, which cannot be easily ascertained.

Beyond the password itself that we create, a good step for our security is to activate two-step authentication. It is an option that is increasingly present in Internet services and helps us improve security. Basically it consists that a possible intruder, in case of finding out the password, would need a second step to gain access.

Keep the software up-to-date

Likewise, another very important factor to protect the Windows remote desktop is keep software updated. This is something that must be present at all times, no matter what tools or devices we use.

The reason is that in many cases vulnerabilities can arise that are exploited by hackers to carry out their attacks. Hence, we must apply the patches and updates that are available in order to correct it as soon as possible.

Change the default port

To the change the default port we can also improve the security of the Windows remote desktop. This way we will avoid possible attackers who can point to this default port, which is 3389.

To change the default port, press the Windows + R key combination and run regedit. Later we go to the path EquipoHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlTerminal ServerWinStationsRDP-Tcp. There we will have to look for PortNumber and double click to change the value.

Of course, we must bear in mind that the normal thing is that we have to give permissions to that port from the firewall that we are using. We will have to go, for example, to the Windows firewall and allow connections to that port that we have created.

Use firewall to restrict access

Have a good firewall it is also very interesting to protect the security of our systems in the network. As we know we can have both an application firewall and a hardware level. In both cases, the objective is to reject possible fraudulent connections that could compromise our security.

We can create a rule to allow the connection through a specific port, which will be the one we are using on the remote desktop, but which blocks the rest. This way we can avoid possible intruders who try to break our security.

Limit and control the users who can access

We can create different roles to accept or not that certain users can access. In this way we can limit access to possible insecure users, who may compromise our systems. We have the ability to control how and who can access the Windows remote desktop.

Protect the network

One more issue to consider is the importance of protect our network. We must always use secure connections that do not compromise the proper functioning of the equipment at any time. We must encrypt wireless networks with a good connection, have the router updated, network equipment connected, etc.

It is very important that any parameter related to the network is well secured. Otherwise we could have a security hole that can be exploited by hackers to carry out their attacks.

In short, these are some essential tips that we can put into practice to protect the Windows remote desktop. A series of simple steps to take into account to improve security and privacy, two very important factors that must be present at all times when using services of this type connected to the Internet.