Remote Desktop - security over public Internet
How secure is a remote desktop connection over the public Internet "without" a VPN in place?
Note: Using ISA server 2004 with rule to allow RDP from external to internal.
Note: Using ISA server 2004 with rule to allow RDP from external to internal.
Craig321
Some fairly good responses to a similar question here: https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21410301/Is-Remote-Desktop-Safe.html
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The company I am referring to is running SBS 2003. They are not using certificates and the domain admin logon account is using a VERY weak password and the domain controller is accessible through RD for Admin.
Just seem to me they are asking for trouble but without a complete understanding of Remote Desktop security I have not forced the issue - I did warn them from what I did assume. They don't want ot force VPN connections as they think it is too much work.
Also, it seems that their network would be very fulnerable to a disgruntled dismissed employee. Short of having all user passwords changed in case they have knowledge of others, it would be hard to revoke their key to the network.
Without a VPN, what additional step/s should they take to improve security - cerfificates?
Is this situaltion fairly standard practice?
Just seem to me they are asking for trouble but without a complete understanding of Remote Desktop security I have not forced the issue - I did warn them from what I did assume. They don't want ot force VPN connections as they think it is too much work.
Also, it seems that their network would be very fulnerable to a disgruntled dismissed employee. Short of having all user passwords changed in case they have knowledge of others, it would be hard to revoke their key to the network.
Without a VPN, what additional step/s should they take to improve security - cerfificates?
Is this situaltion fairly standard practice?
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Thanks for the suggestions tsmvp,
Do you know if SBS 2003 w/ISA 2004 create a rule out-of-the-box for Remote Desktop in this manner?
Do you know if SBS 2003 w/ISA 2004 create a rule out-of-the-box for Remote Desktop in this manner?
As far as I know, no. It uses the default TCP 3389 port but I may be wrong.
Cláudio Rodrigues
Citrix CTP
Cláudio Rodrigues
Citrix CTP
ASKER
What is more secure - accessing company resources through RWW or directly with a RDP sessions like this company is doing?
Seems to me that RWW at least requires HTTPS security. I am not just taking of the security of the data stream - I am including authentication.
Note: I finally found the reason I could not connect to RWW at this site. They had an ISA rule for RWW but HTTPS was not a selected protocol - only HTTP. Not sure why as the management history at this company is unknown. Don't know why they would allow Remote Desktop but not RWW access.
Seems to me that RWW at least requires HTTPS security. I am not just taking of the security of the data stream - I am including authentication.
Note: I finally found the reason I could not connect to RWW at this site. They had an ISA rule for RWW but HTTPS was not a selected protocol - only HTTP. Not sure why as the management history at this company is unknown. Don't know why they would allow Remote Desktop but not RWW access.
RWW would be more secure in this case.
Cláudio Rodrigues
Citrix CTP
Cláudio Rodrigues
Citrix CTP