remote access security issues

^{Five Remote Access Security Risks And How To Protect Against Them}

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.
2. A deluge of new devices to protect. Global “stay at home” policies have forced many organizations to purchase and ship new laptops and other devices to their newly remote ...
3. Lack of visibility into remote user activity. With the sudden explosion in remote workers, security teams must monitor a new host of endpoint devices for malware, fileless attacks and ...
4. Users mixing home and business passwords. Users have a bad habit of reusing passwords over and over again. ...
5. Opportunistic phishing attempts. Phishing is still the number one way to gain access to corporate networks. ...

What is remote access and what are the risks?

Remote Access Vulnerabilities Remote access client devices generally have weaker protection than standard client devices Many devices not managed by the enterprise No enterprise firewalls, antivirus, etc. Lack of physical security controls Remote access client devices may be used in hostile environments but not configured for them

What are the best practices for remote access?

To scan roles by using the BPA GUI

• Do one of the following to open Server Manager if it is not already open. ...
• In the navigation pane, open a role or group page. ...
• On the Tasks menu of the Best Practices Analyzer tile, click start BPA Scan.
• Depending on the number of rules that are evaluated for the role or group you selected, the BPA scan can require a few minutes to finish.

How to secure remote access for employees {checklist}?

How to Secure Remote Access for Employees {Checklist} A: Your VPN connection will advertise a maximum of 1,000 routes to the customer gateway device. For VPNs on a Virtual Private Gateway, advertised route sources include VPC routes, other VPN routes, and routes from DX Virtual Interfaces. For VPNs on an AWS Transit Gateway,

How to enable and secure remote desktop on Windows?

• Option One: Turn On or Off Dimmed Secure Desktop for UAC prompt in UAC Settings
• Option Two: Enable or Disable Dimmed Secure Desktop for UAC prompt in Local Security Policy
• Option Three: Enable or Disable Dimmed Secure Desktop for UAC prompt using a REG file

Is remote access security secure?

Yes. A robust cloud-based, highly secure remote access solution can provide unified protection for virtually all users against web-based threats — independent of a VPN connection.

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 security issue could happen while working remotely?

Unsecured wi-fi connections, unattended computers, and data breaches are just some of the potential negative impacts a company may experience. Add in a remote employee with low technical skills, and it's a combination that can leave your company vulnerable to cyber attacks.

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

Phishing Schemes Your remote employees can be the biggest threat to your network's security. By unknowingly following cyber security worst practices, employees can end up giving hackers and cyber criminals access to your network and your company's sensitive data.

Why is RDP insecure?

RDP itself is not a secure setup and therefore requires additional security measures to keep workstations and servers protected. Without proper security protocols in place, organizations face several potential risks, including the increased risk of cyberattacks.

What are the security requirements for remote access?

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.

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.

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 do you keep remote workers safe?

Digital Security While Working RemotelyAvoid public Wi-Fi; if necessary, use personal hotspots or some way to encrypt your web connection. ... Keep Work Data on Work Computers. ... Block the Sight Lines. ... Encrypt Sensitive Data in Emails and on Your Device.

What are the main security concerns your organization face while collecting data through remote server?

Here are some of the most significant cybersecurity threats remote work brings along:1) Virtual Private Network. ... 2) Phishing. ... 3) Fake Azure Applications. ... 4) MFA Circumventing. ... 5) Insider Threats.

Does working remote increases cyber security risks?

Your employees who work remotely can become the biggest threat to your network's security. By unknowingly following cybersecurity worst practices, employees can actually be the ones giving threat actors access to your network and your company's private information.

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 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.

Why is the remote access domain the most risk prone of all in a typical IT infrastructure?

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 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). ...

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.

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 are the bad habits of remote workers?

Here are three bad habits related to remote work that your remote workers may be making that endanger your organization: 1. Accessing sensitive data through unsafe Wi-Fi networks. Your employees’ could be connecting to their home wireless network or accessing their corporate accounts using unsecured public Wi-Fi.

What are the essential security clauses that should be included in your remote work policy?

Below are the essential security clauses that should be included in your remote work policy: Clearly define which positions are eligible for remote work. Be transparent towards your employees. Everyone should be aware which job functions are allowed to work remotely are which are not due to security reasons.

What are the tools that both regular and remote employees should have installed on their devices?

Here are the fundamental tools that both your regular and remote employees should have installed on their devices: 1. Multi-factor authentication. This type of authentication will act as an additional layer of security on top of your remote employees’ accounts.

What to do if your company's information is compromised?

If they believe the company’s information has been compromised, they should have a clear guide to follow, such as where they should report the incident, be instructed to immediately change their passwords, etc.

Can employees access unencrypted Wi-Fi?

For this reason, your employees should not be allowed to access any unknown Wi-Fi networks unless they are using a VPN connection. 2. Using personal devices for work.

Can anyone read encrypted data?

Basically, anyone who tries to inter cept the encrypted data will not be able to read it. And this way, your employees will be able to connect to your company’s intranet, the private network designed to be used only by your company’s staff (in case you have one). 4.

Is remote work secure?

In a recent study, OpenVPN reported that 90% of IT professionals believe remote workers are not secure . At the same time, over 70% think remote staff poses a greater risk than onsite employees.

Can remote desktop be malicious?

Even if you’re not using an RDP-based remote desktop solution, as with any piece of software, bugs or insider threats may arise sooner or later. Some are malicious, some are accidental, but either way they can do serious damage. PERMISSIONS VULNERABILITIES.

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.

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 ».

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 unauthorized software?

Unauthorized software is a common entrypoint for ransomware attacks. Monitoring software and integrations is very important, especially when workers are at home with others who may be installing software on their devices.

What are the most common RDP vulnerabilities?

Let’s take a look at the two most common RDP vulnerabilities and how you can overcome them: 1. Weak User Sign-in Credentials. Most desktop computers are protected by a password that the user sets. However, the problem occurs when the same password is used for RDP remote logins.

How to log into remote desktop?

Here’s how you can do that in Windows: 1 Click Start, navigate through Programs > Administrative Tools and open Local Security Policy. 2 In Local Policies > User Rights Assignment, go to “Allow log on through Terminal Services” or “Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services.” 3 You can remove the Administrators group and leave the Remote Desktop Users group.

Why is RDP important?

RDP holds a major significance when it comes to businesses who have embraced remote working. Many companies rely on RDP to allow their employees to access office devices from their homes for remote work. RDP acts as a graphical interface for a user when connected to another remote computer over a network.

What is the CVE for RDP?

In 2019, the floodgates opened when CVE-2019-0708 or “Blue Keep” was discovered — a security vulnerability in RDP that affected many Windows systems. What’s BlueKeep?

Can you remove admins from remote desktop?

You can remove the Administrators group and leave the Remote Desktop Users group. Additionally, if you want to add a remote user to the Remote Desktop Users group, use the system Control Panel. This will restrict the RDP access to the users that require it and minimize the risk of an RDP attack.

Does RDP need audit trail?

Audit Trail. Organizations that use native RDP need a better audit trail . As RDP has no centralized, tamper-proof logging and reporting, it can be difficult to know how many remote desktop sessions took place, who conducted them, and for how long.

Why are VPNs so reliable?

Reliable VPNs offer end-to-end data encryption and shield IP addresses to increase security on all types of connections.

Why is it important to issue company devices?

Issuing company devices is a straightforward way to minimize risk, as it ensures corporate data remains separate. However, the majority of young employees feel their own devices are “more effective and productive,” so employers may have to take a different approach to maintain satisfaction among remote workers.

Is mobile access security a problem?

The problem of mobile access security isn’t new. An increasing number of employers have adopted bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies in recent years, and 69% of “IT decision-makers” think doing so a good idea. Sixty-seven percent of employees are using personal devices at work, which means employers should already have security measures in place to deal with the potential threats of mingling personal and work data.