Five Remote Access Security Risks And How To Protect Against Them
- Weak remote access policies. Once attackers get access to a virtual private network (VPN), they can often penetrate...
- A deluge of new devices to protect. Global “stay at home” policies have forced many organizations to purchase and...
- Lack of visibility into remote user activity. With the sudden...
- Weak remote access policies. ...
- A deluge of new devices to protect. ...
- Lack of visibility into remote user activity. ...
- Users mixing home and business passwords. ...
- Opportunistic phishing attempts.
What is remote access and how does it work?
Remote access is simply the ability to access a computer or network, at home or in an office, from a remote location. You can use a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or a virtual private network (VPN) to establish a remote access connection. Remote access services are any combination...
What are the risks of remote access services?
Remote Access Risks 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 is the networking industry responding to the growing remote access challenge?
The networking industry’s initial response to the growing remote access challenge was the virtual private network (VPN).
What are the different types of remote access services?
You can use a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or a virtual private network (VPN) to establish a remote access connection. 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.
What will be the issues in remote access?
Let's look at some of the top challenges faced by users of remote access:Connection quality. ... VPNs. ... Performance. ... Security. ... Application availability. ... Open applications. ... HQ must be online. ... Cost.
What are the risk of the remote access domain?
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.
What are some security issues related to remote desktop?
These are the most important vulnerabilities in RDP:Weak user sign-in credentials. Most desktop computers are protected by a password, and users can typically make this password whatever they want. ... Unrestricted port access. RDP connections almost always take place at port 3389*.
What is remote access in networking?
Remote access is the act of connecting to IT services, applications, or data from a location other than headquarters. This connection allows users to access a network or computer remotely via the internet.
Why is the remote access domain the most risk prone?
Why is the Remote Access Domain the most risk prone of all within a typical IT infrastructure? Because it allows users to connect to intranet from remote locations.
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 ...
Is it safe to use remote desktop over the Internet?
However, the highest risk is the exposure of RDP on the Internet, port 3389, and allowing it to traverse directly through the firewalls to a target on the internal network. This practice is common and should absolutely be avoided.
What security best practices are for connecting to remote systems?
7 Best Practices For Securing Remote Access for EmployeesDevelop a Cybersecurity Policy For Remote Workers. ... Choose a Remote Access Software. ... Use Encryption. ... Implement a Password Management Software. ... Apply Two-factor Authentication. ... Employ the Principle of Least Privilege. ... Create Employee Cybersecurity Training.
How do I secure my remote desktop connection?
3:1522:17The Ultimate Guide to Secure Remote Desktop Connections To Safely ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAlready you can skip over the sections of the video that show you how to set it. So the first thingMoreAlready you can skip over the sections of the video that show you how to set it. So the first thing to do is enable remote access on each PC that you want to access from outside your home or office
What are the pros and cons of remote desktop access?
Advantages of Remote Access1) Flexible Access. ... 2) Flexible Set-Up and Costs. ... 3) Full Control on Authorization and Access. ... 4) Centralized Storage and Backups. ... 5) Shared Resources; Greater Efficiency and Collaboration. ... 1) Security Issues. ... 2) Version Problems and Data Liabilities. ... 3) Hardware Issues Still Need On-Site Work.More items...•
What are the types of remote access?
The primary remote access protocols in use today are the Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP), Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE), Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), Remote Access Services (RAS), and Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).
What is remote access examples?
Accessing, writing to and reading from, files that are not local to a computer can be considered remote access. For example, storing and access files in the cloud grants remote access to a network that stores those files. Examples of include services such as Dropbox, Microsoft One Drive, and Google Drive.
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.
What is the remote access domain?
... is the domain in which a mobile user can access the local network remotely, usually through a VPN (Figure 7). ...
What is the risk of unauthorized access?
What are the risks of unauthorized data access? Once an individual has gained unauthorized access to data or computer networks, they can cause damage to an organization in a number of ways. They may directly steal files, data, or other information. They may leverage unauthorized access to further compromise accounts.
What risks threats and vulnerabilities are introduced by implementing a remote access server?
Five Remote Access Security Risks And How To Protect Against ThemWeak remote access policies. ... A deluge of new devices to protect. ... Lack of visibility into remote user activity. ... Users mixing home and business passwords. ... Opportunistic phishing attempts.
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 the overriding risk of remote access services and software?
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.
What is Remote Access?
Remote access is simply the ability to access a computer or network, at home or in an office, from a remote location.
What is VPN for business?
Set up a VPN. A VPN is a critical tool to use to securely access sensitive data remotely. There are many kinds of VPNs you should know about and consider using for your company. If you use a business-grade firewall, it will usually have a built-in VPN.
What are some practices that end point users engage in?
Connecting to an unsecured Wi-Fi network, visiting malicious sites, and downloading hazardous software are practices that many end point users engage in – making a man-in-the-middle attack and other hacking methods for infecting your computer very easy.
Why do companies provide work specific computers?
Some companies provide their employees with work-specific computers that are closely managed and tightly locked down. This is a great practice for enhanced security.
What is shadow IT risk?
On top of that, be aware of employees downloading or installing any information or software without your permission – also known as shadow IT risks.
Summary
Due to COVID-19, many employers have instructed their staff to work remotely. A large portion of these employees will require remote access to their company’s internal network to complete their duties and responsibilities through the use of remote access services like Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).
Recommendations
The NJCCIC advises companies and organizations to adjust network settings to prevent ports that provide remote access services – such as ports 3389, 22, and 23 – from being exposed to the internet, implement a Network Access Control (NAC) solution to ensure only authorized devices are permitted to connect to internal networks, disable remote access ports on systems and servers that do not require these services, and require the use of a virtual private network (VPN) with multi-factor authentication enabled for all users.
What is remote desktop access?
One solution is remote desktop access where a third-party service or operating system feature allows the user to see his or her desktop and interact with it from a remote location as if it were local.
Is remote access a solution?
Remote access, however, is not a perfect solution. Let’s look at some of the top challenges faced by users of remote access:
Does Citrix allow access to applications?
Application availability. Systems like Citrix and Terminal Server only allow access to certain programs that have been configured by the IT administrator. Often times, users need access to applications they installed themselves, special plugins, configurations, or files from their desktop, or other resources that are not on the remote access server. What’s more, these systems often work differently than the desktops. This change in habitual processes is inconvenient and sure to slow any user down.
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 ...
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.
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.
Is Windows XP unsupported?
Many home users have old outdated systems with the soon to be unsupported Windows XP Operating System. After April 8, 2014, Windows XP will no longer receive security updates and will be more vulnerable to cyber-attack. Strong passwords are the first line of defense against unauthorized access.
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 ...
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.
Why is remote access not required?
Remote access to machines and equipment is typically not required on a continuous basis and hence can be used on an as-needed basis to minimize security issues and reduce costs , especially in cases where remote connectivity is based on a volume-dependent pricing option, such as with cellular technology.
What is remote access for machine builders?
Some machine builders have adopted traditional remote access methods such as Virtual Private Networking (VPN) and Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) to improve their service levels and to provide quick response times for their customers. However, these traditional remote access solutions have various limitations and constraints that prevent machine builders from achieving their maximum service potential.
What is cloud based remote access?
Cloud-based remote access is a new type of remote access solution that enables flexible remote access to field machines. The network topology of a cloud-based remote access solution is composed of three components: a remote gateway, a cloud server, and client software. Remote gateways are connected to field equipment in order to remotely access and control them. Client software is installed on the engineer’s PC or desktop. The cloud server can be installed on a cloud-based platform such as Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure. The remote gateway and client software will both initiate outbound secure connection requests to the cloud server.
What is VPN and RDC?
VPN and RDC solutions can facilitate secure connections to remote machines. However, many of these solutions lack the flexibility or the intelligence to meet the specific needs of industrial machine builders. The five key elements that such machine builders have to consider when they use VPN and RDC solutions are: ...
How does VPN work in a plant?
VPN connections between machine builders and machine operators are usually site-to-site connections, which typically provide machine builders with remote access to all local devices in a plant’s network . Plant operators want to restrict the network access of machine builders so that only a selected set of machines are accessible. For example, plant operators need ways to restrict access by plant equipment and specify the applications that can be accessed remotely to prevent unauthorized access to production information and unauthorized or accidental operation of plant equipment. The only way to mitigate this risk is for IT departments to create separate end-to-end connections using VPN technology, which as previously noted, is complex and expensive, thereby drastically increasing setup and maintenance costs. RDC connections are equally troublesome in that they expose computing equipment on the plant network to the public network, creating security risks. Computers need regular securitypatch updates, which are carried out when they are connected to a public network such as the plant’s Wi-Fi network. Plant computers are then vulnerable during such access windows to the public network, if they are also open to RDC control. They can become targets of network attacks, and, for example, be susceptible to injection of ransomware. Mitigating these security issues requires additional resources, both in terms of human resources and maintenance costs.
Why do machine builders prefer identical versions of software tools to be installed on both the client and host machines?
Machine builders tend to prefer identical versions of the software tools to be installed on both the client and host machines since this simplifies the troubleshooting process. To do so, the IT engineers assigned for maintenance need to coordinate all updates to software tools between the server and client sides.
What is a RDC?
Virtual Private Networking (VPN) and Remote Desktop Connection (RDC), the latter of which uses Virtual Network Computing (VNC), are two common methods used to remotely access machines and equipment at field sites.