Stop Remote Desktop Access

Remote desktop / remote control desktop / remote desktop protocol means to take control of one computer from another one.

This can be very useful if say you need to work at home but access some services from your workplace or files off your work computer etc.  It’s also used extensively by IT support staff.

Within a company network it can be safe but if you open your firewall to allow remote access through the firewall then this can be a problem.

Microsoft’s implementation of remote access has vulnerabilities that the hackers know about and they scan IP addresses looking for anyone that has left that door in their firewall available (typically RDP is on TCP port 3389).

Security experts believe that this vulnerability is extensively used by ransomware spreaders who can then bypass the password check and gain access to your systems.

If you use remote access through your firewall – make sure you’re safe or turn it off permanently.

Can There Be Safe Remote Access?

This depends on exactly what you want to achieve but the general advice from many security experts is to use a Virtual Private Network or just don’t allow remote access from outside of your firewall.

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