What is remote computer access and what are the risks?
Remote computer access: What is it and what are the risks? 1 Remote access software is helpful when you’re in a meeting at another office with your laptop — or telecommuting — and... 2 Remote computer access can help you assist someone in your personal life who might be far away. You might want to help... More ...
Is it safe to grant remote access to Your Business Systems?
Furthermore, while it may seem like a security breach to grant remote control over your systems, it’s actually no less secure than allowing someone to log-on in person. That said, there are precautions you should follow to ensure the security of your business and to safeguard the sensitive information of your clients.
Are your remote employees putting your business at risk?
If any of your employees are working remotely, you’re in danger. But it’s easy to ignore remote access risks when the benefits are so appealing: Your employees may be more productive in their own home without everyday distractions in the office (unnecessary meetings, work gossip, hearing other employees on calls, etc.)
Should you allow remote workers to access your computer?
And yes, their services probably will include remote access. This is an essential feature they need to monitor your network for potential breaches, conduct routine updates, and identify areas of slow performance. Allowing a remote technician access to your PC is no worse than allowing anyone else access.
What is Remote Access?
Remote computer access means getting authorized access to another computer virtually from another physical location; it allows you to access the files, applications, and all of the data. Remote access is beneficial for personal and business purposes, from remote personal computers to servicing client PCs.
Risk of Remote Computer Access
As we know, the benefits of Remote Computer Access are many, especially to businesses, but with that comes a lot of risks and concerns to your network. In today's world, hackers are waiting to find a loophole to hack into your systems, and Remote Computer Access gives them a lot of ways. Some of the risks related are discussed below −
How to Protect Yourself from Such Threats?
Following are some of the actions that you can take to keep yourself protected from the threats associated with remote computer access −
What is the risk of remote access?
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 to mitigate remote access risks?
Choosing a firewall that matches the size, scope, and scale of your organization is an essential first step in mitigating remote access risks. Make sure your firewall has built-in antivirus and anti-malware software and high availability programs.
What is remote access service?
Remote access services are any combination of software and hardware that facilitates remote access connections – and there’s plenty of software offering these services to businesses. Unfortunately, they’re far from safe.
Can employees work outside of office hours?
Your employees may be more productive in their own home without everyday distractions in the office (unnecessary meetings, work gossip, hearing other employees on calls, etc.) You and your employees can work outside of office hours. And the list goes on. That’s why we’re going to show you what remote access risks you need to be aware ...
Is it safe to work remotely?
If any of your employees are working remotely, you’re in danger. But it’s easy to ignore remote access risks when the benefits are so appealing: Your employees may be more productive in their own home without everyday distractions in the office (unnecessary meetings, work gossip, hearing other employees on calls, etc.)
Can employees access all of your data?
Only the information required to perform their jobs should be accessible to each employee – never provide your employees with access to all of your data systems. On top of that, be aware of employees downloading or installing any information or software without your permission – also known as shadow IT risks.
Do remote access endpoints require a password?
Many remote access endpoints only require a simple ID and password to log on to your network. Since most people use hackable passwords, this single sign-on method is highly problematic.
What are the risks of remote access?
One of the risks of using remote access is having poor policy implementation when it comes to network accessibility. For instance, a lot of organizations don’t have solid remote access policies that can restrict certain users from accessing their networks remotely. Without these strong policies, it will be hard for your IT department to monitor and prevent malicious users from accessing your network from afar. It will also be a challenge to mitigate the risk of falling victim to outsider malware and threats.
Why is it important to invest in remote access?
It’s always important to invest in an effective remote access tool. The problem with most companies nowadays is that they compromise their network security by purchasing affordable yet ineffective remote access solutions. Without a secure remote access tool, it will be difficult for your company to protect its confidentiality from malicious attackers online. One of the features that you need to look for in a remote access solution is its ability to encrypt remote sessions between the local and remote devices. Without this, users who have malicious intent can definitely steal confidential information from your own network and system.
Is remote access good for business?
Although remote access can be beneficial to businesses, it can also bring some level of security concerns to your network. As stated a while back, the danger of remote access starts to emerge once you open your network to a bunch of remote and outsider users. The problem with this is that external threats and malware can also gain entry to your system and later cause major security havoc. We’ll take a look now at some of the security risks of using remote access.
Is remote access secure?
Companies that allow employees to access their networks remotely are prone to security risks brought by remote access. Since employees can use their personal devices to connect to their office resources, there’s a possibility that your network can be infected by outsider threats and malware. The thing with this practice is that not all of your employees? endpoint devices are safe and secure. This means that some of them may have their fair share of security flaws that can disrupt the security of your network.
What is remote desktop support?
Many IT services providers use a remote desktop support solution to help manage their customers' computers. Remote support connections are often done via the remote desktop protocol (RDP). However, security experts warn that RDP leaves a listening port open on the target machine, which would-be attackers could exploit.
Can a hacker guess a password?
In the absence of a multifactor authentication mechanism , a hacker is free to guess a user's password. If passwords are weak or reused—by technicians or employees—across several accounts, the breach becomes easier for a motivated hacker with access to compromised credentials from past data breaches.
Is the RDP site still underground?
The site went underground and continued to operate until 2019 when it was shut down in a joint effort by the FBI and several European countries authorities. DENIAL OF SERVICE. Hackers can also use a brute-force attack to gain access to RDP credentials.
Is RDP a credential harvester?
RDP sessions are also prone to in-memory credential harvesting. Capturing and selling RDP credentials on the Dark Web has been lucrative for a lot of hackers. xDedic was a notorious online marketplace where cybercriminals would buy and sell access to hacked servers, as was revealed in a Kaspersky report published in June 2016.
Why is remote access important?
However, remote access is also necessary for IT technicians to provide timely support, conduct routine updates, and reduce the cost of location visits. Furthermore, while it may seem like a security breach to grant remote control over your systems, it’s actually no less secure than allowing someone to log-on in person.
Why is control so uncomfortable?
The primary reason control feels so uncomfortable for users is because we can’t see the person on the other end. Even if we can watch what they do on our computers and talk to them on the phone while they do it, watching a cursor move around the screen and open files without any action on our end feels almost ghostly.
Can you access someone who contacts you first?
Never allow access to someone who contacts you first . There are, unfortunately, many remote access scams. They usually follow a similar formula: the scammer calls a user, claiming to be from a large IT-related corporation, such as Microsoft.
What is remote access?
Remote access is a useful tool to allow a trusted individual access to your computer for support or other purposes. The key is that you must know and trust the individual, just as you would if you handed the computer to them. NEVER allow remote access to someone whom you don’t know or who contacts you.
What is a tech support scam?
Recent years have seen rise to something called the “tech support scam”. Using lies and threats, scammers try to get you to give them remote access to your machine. Once they have it, they install malware — often including ransomware — or they leave back doors allowing them continued access when you’re not around.
Can a technician visit your home?
They can do whatever they want. It’s like having a technician visit your home or taking your machine into a shop for repair. You’re giving that person control. Presumably, that means resolving the issues bringing you to them in the first place, and nothing else malicious along the way. It’s all about trust.
Can you watch a remote technician?
Watching isn’t always enough. Most remote access tools let you watch the technician’s activities. That’s often instructive. Some include voice, so you can talk to the technician and they can explain what they’re doing or answer questions along the way. The problem is this can lead to a false sense of security.
Do remote access companies care about their reputation?
Presumably, they care about their reputation and your power to impact it. Companies that provide remote access support are often distant, faceless entities on the internet. It’s not uncommon for them to be in a completely different country.
How to protect sensitive data in transit?
Only use Virtual Private Network (VPN) software or other remote services that utilize encryption from point-to-point to protect sensitive data in transit. Make sure employees know not to set their browsers ...
Why are family members using the same PC?
Here’s why: Multiple family members may be using the same PC and it is hard to control the websites they visit. For example, many websites sporting free games are conduits for malware and viruses. Many home PCs do not have strong anti-virus and anti-malware programs and most are not kept up-to-date.
What are cyber criminals looking for?
Cyber-criminals are looking for easy exploits. Be very careful when allowing remote access to your network and make sure there are stringent controls in place to protect your company’s information.
What operating system do I need to access my company network?
Require that home computers used to access the company network: are using a supported Operating System (currently Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8) , have Windows automated updates enabled, have up-to-date anti-virus and anti-malware programs and an effective software firewall in place.
Can former employees access company networks?
Those former employees who have access to the company’s network from their home computers can still access information and data. A compromised home PC that is allowed to remotely access their employer’s systems can serve as a gateway for cyber-criminals to attack company networks, either directly or through malware payloads.
Can I log into my home computer remotely?
Most only allow such access from corporate computers (i.e. laptops, etc.) that are managed and tightly locked down. However, many companies, especially Small-to-Medium Businesses (SMBs) aren’t so strict and allow employees to log in remotely using their home computers. The sad truth is that most home computers are not as secure as their business ...
Do cyber criminals know about SMBs?
The fact is that cyber-criminals know that many SMBs don’t take IT security as seriously as large companies do and therefore are more vulnerable to attack.
Why is remote desktop only used for IT?
This is why remote desktop or assistance are typically only used by IT people to help people with a problem remotely, or to connect to your own computer remotely.
What is remote control in a meeting?
Remote control allows a participant in a meeting to send keyboard (keystrokes) and mouse inputs to a remote computer. The software shows the participant a screen share of the other computer, but also allows them to click and type within. When they click or type, the software sends the click and typing data to the host computer.
What is the vulnerability in Zoom?
Last November, 2018, a vulnerability was discovered in the Zoom video conferencing software which allowed attackers to hijack screen controls. Zoom has since fixed the vulnerability, however the problem has brought to light the security problems with allowing people to "remote control" your computer during a video call. Ref
What happens when you click on a computer?
When they click or type, the software sends the click and typing data to the host computer. The host computer receives and applies the clicks and typing to the specific pixels clicked or typed on. If the host computer is sharing one application, the software theoretically, only applies the mouse clicks and keyboard inputs to that app.
How does screen share work?
Screen share works by taking video (frames or pixels) of your screen or one application and sending them to other participants in your meeting . The only risk with screen share comes from unintentionally showing private information on your screen, but with remote control it is another story. Remote control allows a participant in a meeting ...
Is remote control available in video conferencing?
Usually they are unseeable. Lastly, though you will find remote control ability in video conferencing software designed for business meetings, it is notoriously absent from 99% of software designed for medical use. When it is present, the purpose is for providers to remote into devices at a medical facility.
Can you use remote control for one app?
If you only use remote control for this purpose once-in-a-while, the risk is lower than every day giving your clients control of your computer, even one app. Again, the risk isn't from your client but from malware that can exploit potential security vulnerabilities in the remote-control feature.
