Remote-access Guide

4 remote access risks and how to solve them

by Niko Cassin PhD Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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4 Remote Access Risks and How to Solve Them Here are 4 Remote Access Security Risks that the network security engineer can avoid. Risks include weak remote access policies, attempts at phishing, and combining home and company passwords.

To help you understand how cyber attackers can infiltrate your system, here are 4 remote access risks you should guard against.
  1. Remote Access Through Home Computers.
  2. Easy Logins and Passwords.
  3. Lack of Computer Inspection.
  4. End Point of a VPN.
  5. Set up a Firewall and Antivirus.
  6. Set up an IDS and an IPS.
  7. Set up a VPN.

Full Answer

What are potential risks associated with remote access?

Remote work challenges for teams

  1. Managing projects. Starting right at the top, the biggest challenge with remote working is managing projects when your team is spread out across multiple locations.
  2. Remote collaboration. The most common challenge remote teams report in studies is collaborating from different locations. ...
  3. Tracking tasks and productivity. ...

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How to mitigate risk with remote access?

  • Ensure your employees have all they need to securely work from home and know who to contact if they face an IT or security issue.
  • Schedule basic security awareness training for your employees. ...
  • Take key data protection measures including switching on password protection, encrypting work devices and ensuring data is backed up.

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How to protect remote access?

To enable Remote Access in your UniFi Protect application:

  • Access the UniFi OS Console hosting Protect via its IP address. ...
  • Log in to your Ubiquiti SSO account.
  • Go to the System Settings > Advanced menu, and enable the Remote Access toggle.

How to properly secure remote access?

  • Windows or Mac login when connecting remotely
  • Request permission to connect to the user’s computer
  • Automatically blank the remote screen when connected
  • Automatically lock remote computer when disconnected
  • Lock the remote computer’s keyboard and mouse while in session
  • Lock the streamer settings using Splashtop admin credentials

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What are the risks of remote access?

Many remote access security risks abound, but below is a list of the ones that jump out.Lack of information. ... Password sharing. ... Software. ... Personal devices. ... Patching. ... Vulnerable backups. ... Device hygiene. ... Phishing attacks.

What are the security risks of remote working?

Top Security Risks of Remote WorkingGDPR and remote working. Remote work means an employer has less control and visibility over employees' data security. ... Phishing Emails. ... Weak Passwords. ... Unsecured Home Devices. ... Unencrypted File Sharing. ... Open Home WiFi Networks.

How do I make remote access safe?

Basic Security Tips for Remote DesktopUse strong passwords.Use Two-factor authentication.Update your software.Restrict access using firewalls.Enable Network Level Authentication.Limit users who can log in using Remote Desktop.

What are remote access attacks?

A remote attack is a malicious action that targets one or a network of computers. The remote attack does not affect the computer the attacker is using. Instead, the attacker will find vulnerable points in a computer or network's security software to access the machine or system.

What is the greatest risk that remote access poses to an organization?

The overriding risk of remote access services and software is a hacker gaining deeper access to your organization, exposing you to a host of IT security threats. Once they gain privileged access to your system, it will be difficult to prevent data loss, prevent phishing, protect against ransomware, etc.

How do you protect and secure data while working remotely?

How to promote data security while working remotelyConnect to a hotspot or use a VPN. ... Use strong passwords and a password manager. ... Keep work and personal separate. ... Stay alert for phishing or other attacks. ... Participate in routine cybersecurity training.

How can students secure remote access?

What schools can do to minimise cyber risksUse a reliable virtual private network (VPN) ... Provide phishing training to staff and students. ... Avoid sharing resources for work/learning and personal use. ... Install cyber security tools such as firewall and AV on home networks. ... Educate students on good password hygiene.

How do I stop remote access?

Windows 8 and 7 InstructionsClick the Start button and then Control Panel.Open System and Security.Choose System in the right panel.Select Remote Settings from the left pane to open the System Properties dialog box for the Remote tab.Click Don't Allow Connections to This Computer and then click OK.More items...•

What types of attacks are remote access servers vulnerable to?

Other attacks which hackers can facilitate through remote access include email phishing, third-party vendor compromise, insider threats, social engineering, and the use of vulnerable applications to compromise systems. Hackers use Common remote access tools to penetrate third-party access to merchant information ...

How do hackers hack remotely?

Remote hackers use various malware deployment methods; the most common (and probably the easiest) way for hackers to reach unsuspecting victims is through phishing campaigns. In this scenario, hackers will send emails with links or files, which unsuspecting recipients may click on.

Does working remote increases cyber security risks?

One of the most significant security risks of remote working is using personal devices to connect to corporate networks and systems. These devices often do not have the same level of cybersecurity as a corporate computer or laptop.

Which of these is the most important security precaution you should take when working remotely?

Here are a few security best practices your remote employees should follow.Run software updates regularly. ... Secure video meetings. ... Watch out for email phishing. ... Create strong passwords. ... Never leave your bag, briefcase or laptop unattended. ... Use caution with wireless networks. ... Keep your work separate.

What is the first risk in network security?

The first risk is a lack of information about traditional network security technologies, such as firewalls and intrusion prevention systems, as those systems may be largely out of the equation now.

What is the essence of an organization's network security challenge?

The essence of an organization's network security challenge is users are now, more than ever, making security decisions on the network team's behalf. Teams should think about what they can do to minimize such decisions or at least minimize their effect on the business. Consider the following methods.

Is there a tangible risk to security?

Unless and until technical staff, employees and management are working toward the same goals in terms of security standards, policies and expectations, there will be tangible risks. Most people have already established their baseline in this new normal. However, from what I'm seeing and hearing from clients and colleagues, there are still lots of opportunities to properly mitigate certain threats and vulnerabilities.

Is it time to do more of the same with network security?

Now is not the time to do more of the same with network security. Instead, you've got to figure out how to get your users working for you rather than against you. The same boring messages and dictates are not going to work. You'll have to get creative as you address remote access security.

What are the risks of using a VPN?

Here are five top security risks that teams must deal with, as well as technology and user education best practices to keep users and data safe: 1. Weak remote access policies. Once attackers get access to a virtual private network (VPN), they can often penetrate the rest of the network like a hot knife through butter.

What should security teams do if on-premises network and email security mechanisms are no longer available?

Recommendation: If some on-premises network and email security mechanisms are no longer available, security teams should double down on educating users to identify phishing attempts and to choose strong, unique passwords, encouraging the use of a password manager. They should also implement client certificates and multi-factor authentication in order to prevent attackers from gaining access through unsecured devices.

Why is it important to enforce access based on user identity?

Recommendation: It’s critical that companies enforce access based on user identity, allowing specific groups access to only what they need to get their jobs done, and expanding access from there on an as-needed basis.

What is XDR in security?

Recommendation: Rather than invest in point solutions, consider security platforms that maximize integration between systems, limiting the amount of switching between tools and providing visibility into all data – including remote user activity. Extended detection and response (XDR) not only protects endpoints, but also applies analytics across all your data to find threats like unusual access or lateral movement, and simplifies investigations by stitching together data and identifying the root cause.

What is the number one remote access risk?

Unauthorized access is the number one remote access risk. Once hackers gain deep access into your network, they could expose you to a variety of other cybersecurity threats including data loss, phishing, and ransomware. Risk management involves guarding against these 4 remote access threats:

What is remote access?

Remote access refers to the ability to gain access to a home or office-based computer or network from another location. You can create a remote access connection by using a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), or a wide-area network (WAN). You also need remote access solutions and services, which combine software and hardware tools to facilitate smooth connections. Although several types of remote access software provide this service, they’re not always safe.

Can remote access software be used to scan for malware?

Most remote access software services don’t have scanning tools for malware and other viruses. This situation allows hackers to access company servers through an infected home or work PCs. Once inside your network, such infections spread fast to other connected devices.

What is Remote Access, and Why Is It Important?

Remote access is any technology that enables users to access a device, system, or network from outside locations or locations that they typically cannot access. Companies often use a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or a virtual private network (VPN) to establish such remote connections.

What is remote access technology?

Remote Access Technology gives businesses and their employees a means to connect with employees. The technology, however, is not without its challenges. Security, in particular, became a noticeable issue in this remote setup. Cyber security teams now face unique challenges to protect the mobile workforce from pernicious attacks.

Why should you establish strong remote access policies and send out informational materials about phishing scams and the like?

It also helps to hold online security training to increase the team’s awareness about remote access risks.

What are the most commonly exploited applications worldwide?

Office applications were the most commonly exploited applications worldwide. Remote access risks can lead to hackers accessing your company’s files and exposing you to serious IT security threats.

Why do companies use remote desktops?

With the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more businesses have sought remote work to prevent employees from risking their lives going to the office. It forced companies to adapt to the times using digital means. It brought the emergence of many remote desktop software that allows teams to stay connected wherever they are in the globe.

How much will the remote access market grow in 2025?

Remote access is especially important given the growing number of employees working from home. The Remote Access Software market is expected to grow by 15.71% from 2020 to 2025.

Why are mobile phones so vulnerable to security breaches?

Mobile phones are especially prone to security breaches as we frequently install different applications with them . An article by Symantec revealed that 1 in 36 mobile phones had high-risk apps. The article said that mobile ransomware infections also increased by 33% in 2018.

Why do remote workers feel like they are not part of a team?

Because remote workers are removed physically, it can feel like they’re not part of a team. If they have work they’re plugging away at alone day after day, they may even start to feel like they’re part of some type of home-based sweatshop.

What are the problems when working from home?

One of the first problems you’ll notice is that everyone is on a different schedule when working from home. Some people may have childcare responsibilities. Some people could be night owls. If you’re working with contractors, they could be juggling your work around a full schedule of several clients.

Is remote worker accountability hard?

Remote worker accountability can be a big concern for any manager who is used to walking over and checking in on an employee verbally. Regular in-person status update meetings also become harder or impossible with remote workers.

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