Remote-access Guide

potential risks associated with remote access

by Prof. Linwood Ortiz Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Here are the risks of using remote access:

  1. Endpoint Devices – Companies that allow employees to work from home can be subjecting their networks to unwanted and malicious attacks. ...
  2. Poor Login Credentials – Most businesses nowadays only settle with simple ID numbers and passcodes. ...
  3. Poor Policies and Protocols – Remote access can only be harmful when certain policies and protocols aren’t implemented effectively. ...

Five Remote Access Security Risks And How To Protect Against Them
  1. Weak remote access policies. ...
  2. A deluge of new devices to protect. ...
  3. Lack of visibility into remote user activity. ...
  4. Users mixing home and business passwords. ...
  5. Opportunistic phishing attempts.
Apr 20, 2020

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 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.

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 are the disadvantages of remote access?

While there are many advantages to remote access, there are some disadvantages that must be considered as well, the biggest of which is potential security issues. Although remote working is safer than ever before, there are still plenty of risks that need to be addressed.

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 are security considerations for remote users examples?

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.

Is remote access safe?

Remote access solutions could leave you vulnerable. If you don't have proper security solutions in place, remote connections could act as a gateway for cybercriminals to access your devices and data. Hackers could use remote desktop protocol (RDP) to remotely access Windows computers in particular.

What are the pros and cons of working remotely?

Want to manage your tasks more efficiently as a remote worker? Start using ProofHub today!Pros: Higher productivity. Better work-life balance. Healthier lifestyle. More savings and lesser carbon footprint.Cons. Communication Gaps. Difficult to stay motivated. Lack of Social Interaction. Management challenges.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of remote control?

Remote ControlRemote ControlAdvantages Enables people with disabilities to operate devices at a distanceDisadvantages When objects block the infrared light it causes difficulties. Need batteries Small buttonsEvaluation Issue instructions to use output devices by the help of infrared1 more row•Dec 22, 2014

What is the negative impact -- if any -- that remote working has on the ability of employees to work well with their colleagues?

Isolation. It's easy for employees to feel like they're part of a company's bigger picture when they're in the office and brainstorming with coworkers every day. Remote work can make it more difficult for employees to feel connected to and involved with daily company happenings, which can ultimately lower morale.

What are the most important vulnerabilities in RDP?

Perhaps the top vulnerability of RDP systems, weak user sign-in credentials are an easy way for attackers to gain access to your network to deploy malicious software that steals or damages your sensitive data. Most desktop computers are protected by a password – but users can make this password whatever they want.

What happens if you give someone remote access to your computer?

This can be even worse than just conning you out of money, as undetected malware can allow hackers to steal your identity, including your passwords and financial information, over and over again, even if you get new passwords and account numbers.

How do I secure my remote desktop connection?

3:1222:17The Ultimate Guide to Secure Remote Desktop Connections To Safely ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you have a fixed IP address on your PC. Already you can skip over the sections of the video thatMoreIf you have a fixed IP address on your PC. Already 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

How do you keep security when employees work remotely?

Remote Work Security Best PracticesEstablish and enforce a data security policy. ... Equip your employees with the right tools and technology. ... Frequently update your network security systems. ... Regulate the use of personal devices. ... Institute a “Zero Trust” approach. ... Make sure all internet connections are secure.More items...

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 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 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.

The Dangers of Remote Access

As helpful as remote access is, numerous risks come with using it. Verizon’s 2012 Data Breach Investigations Report found that remote access risks are responsible for 88% of all hacking breaches and 95% of malware incidents in 2011.

How Can You Protect Yourself from the Dangers of Remote Access?

In response to COVID-19, 54% of companies have required employees to work remotely. The remote setup gives team members more power to make security decisions on the network team’s behalf. That means they should be proactive in keeping remote access risks at bay.

Wrapping Up

The pandemic has highlighted the need for remote access now more than ever. Businesses need to adapt to these changing times. At the same time, they should stay cautious about remote access’s many risks.

Remote access security risks

Whether the network threats are intentional or not, they're still predictable. Hackers, malware and even users themselves routinely pose certain security hazards. Many remote access security risks abound, but below is a list of the ones that jump out.

How to prevent remote access security risks

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.

Find the security gaps

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.

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.

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.

Why do companies use VPNs?

Historically, many companies deployed VPNs primarily for technical people needing access to critical technology assets. Not so much the case anymore – VPNs are often encouraged for all users as a more secure connection than home or public networks.

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 first step in mitigating risk throughout your attack surface?

Documenting policies, protocols, and authorized software is the first step in mitigating risk throughout your attack surface. From there, you can start to enforce changes that will improve security performance across your expanding digital ecosystem. 2. Unsecured networks.

What is cybersecurity readiness?

Cybersecurity readiness is the ability to identify, prevent, and respond to cyber threats. Yet despite the daily headlines and warnings, organizations struggle to achieve cybersecurity readiness. Just look at the statistics: 78% of... READ MORE ».

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