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...
- Lack of information. ...
- Password sharing. ...
- Software. ...
- Personal devices. ...
- Patching. ...
- Vulnerable backups. ...
- Device hygiene. ...
- Phishing attacks.
What are potential risks associated with remote access?
Remote work challenges for teams
- 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.
- Remote collaboration. The most common challenge remote teams report in studies is collaborating from different locations. ...
- Tracking tasks and productivity. ...
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
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.
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.
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 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 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 is the problem with remote work?
Working remotely gets lonely as you don't get to meet and interact with people as a part of the job. Lack of a proper routine: While you can limit your working hours when working from an office, it takes a lot of self-discipline to make sure you're not working all the time when working from home.
What are remote access advantages?
4 Advantages of Remote AccessSuccessful Troubleshooting from Remote Locations. ... Streamline Remote Work for Employees. ... Remote Access Makes Collaboration Easy. ... Logs of All Activity Promote Network Security.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using remote desktop instead of a VPN?
Unlike VPN, RDP typically enables users to access applications and files on any device, at any time, over any type of connection. The biggest advantage of RDP is that you have access to network resources, databases, and line-of-business software applications without the limitations and high bandwidth demands of VPN.
What is the advantage of remote control?
It puts control at your fingertips wherever you are and allows you to operate the machine or device in any circumstance. This saves you a lot of time and allows you to do more in the same amount of time.
What are the advantages of remote management?
One advantage remote managers have is access to a wealth of powerful tools and platforms for managing teams remotely. Platforms like Zoom and Slack are among the most well-known, allowing you to communicate instantly with team members wherever they are in the world.
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.
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 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 technology do you use to get futuristic?
If you want to get futuristic, you could use iris scanning technology or fingerprint technology for highly secure authentication.
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 Wildfire malware analysis?
Resources: Learn how the cloud-delivered WildFire® malware analysis service – which is built into Cortex XDR and many other Palo Alto Networks products – aggregates data and threat intelligence from the industry’s largest global community to automatically identify and stop threats. Additionally, URL Filtering blocks access to malicious sites to help prevent phishing attacks.
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.
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.
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 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.
What is remote computer access?
Many people take their laptops with them to do things like finish a business presentation while waiting for a flight at the airport. But a lot of those laptops may not have bigger, important files on them. You might leave those files at work or at home on your desktop computer.
How does TeamViewer work?
Here’s how it works. You’ll need to create an account, and then download and install TeamViewer software onto both your home computer and your remote computer or device. TeamViewer can be installed on Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Chrome OS. It also has apps for Windows Phone, Blackberry, iOS, and Android. LogMeIn.
What is UltraVNC on Linux?
UltraVNC or TightVNC (available on Linux). These are screen-sharing clients that enable you to connect from a Windows computer to a Mac computer
How to protect remote desktop from hackers?
Use a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN). If you set up a VPN, your remote desktop server won’t be connected directly to the internet. It will only be exposed on your local network, which could leave it less vulnerable to hackers.
How to protect your network from remote access?
You should set up firewalls to restrict access using software or hardware or both.
What is remote access software?
Remote computer access software lets you access networks and computers remotely. It can enable file sharing. It’s like having a remote control for a computer or system that isn’t near you. You’ll be able to remotely download files and applications from your desktop or another person’s computer onto your laptop or your cell phone. Remote access also gives you control over that remote device
Why is it important to limit the number of users who can log in?
Remote computer access can help businesses, individuals, and families in a variety of ways. But it’s important to make remote access secure .
Why do organizations need VPNs?
Organizations that maintain their assets and systems within the corporate network (as opposed to cloud based systems that can be accessed directly from the Internet) need to get their employees to use VPNs for remote access. VPNs extend a private (corporate) network across a public network (internet). They enable users to send and receive data as if their devices were directly connected to the corporate network, and create a secure tunnel by using data encryption during the connection.
Why is remote access important?
Remote access has helped businesses function for decades. It makes it possible for mobile and dispersed workforces, including employees, contractors, partners, and vendors, to access corporate IT systems and data from anywhere, anytime.
What is SASE security?
SASE is a new security model, leveraging software-defined networking (SDN), that helps users connect securely to remote data centers. It includes technologies like cloud access security broker (CASB), secure web gateway (SWG), firewall as a service (FWaaS), and ZTNA (ZTNA, described above, can be a component within a SASE solution).
What is multifactor authentication?
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a secure access control process that combines multiple credentials to verify the identity of a user. It is especially important, and is commonly used, for secure remote access.
What is zero trust security?
In the zero trust security model, users only have the rights they need to perform the role they have. All user accounts and devices on the network are not trusted by default. This is very different from traditional security solutions that allow users full access to the target network.
What is a VDI gateway?
VDI solutions provide dedicated gateway solutions to enable secure remote access.
What is RDP server?
RDP is a protocol originally developed by Microsoft, which enables remote connection to a compute system. RDP is also available for MacOs, Linux and other operating systems. The RDP server listens on TCP port 3389 and UDP port 3389, and accepts connections from RDP clients.
How does a VPN work?
VPNs allow employees working remotely to connect to a corporate network by routing their activity through a secure server. VPN systems encrypt data transmitted over the network, so that data is unusable to an attacker eavesdropping on the connection.
What is VNC on a computer?
VNC is a technology that enables screen sharing, allowing a remote user to view and control the desktop of another computer. This can be achieved through a network connection using the
How To Boost Your Remote Desktop Security?
Now that you’re aware of remote desktop security risks, let’s take a look at a few effective measures to minimize them:
What is RDP protocol?
Developed by Microsoft, the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is one of the main protocols used for conducting remote desktop sessions.
What is a VPN connection?
Use A Virtual Private Network. Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection adds an extra layer of RDP security to the system. The VPN ensures that before a connection can be made to your server, it’s established upon a secure private network — which is encrypted and hosted outside of your server.
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.
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.
How are desktop computers protected?
Most desktop computers are protected by a password that the user sets.
Why use SSO?
Since this eliminates the hassle of remembering several passwords, organizations can use SSO to enforce strong password usage. They can also adopt more secure measures like two-factor or Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
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.
Why is cybersecurity important in remote work?
Bringing cybersecurity to the top-of-mind for your remote workforce is important in successfully educating employees on the new risks their work environment presents. Conducting training for security best practices, as well as discussing your organization’s cybersecurity standing and vulnerabilities with the entire workforce are both potential ways to combat network threats.
What is an unsanctioned device?
A single unauthorized device being used on your network. An unsanctioned application someone’s accessing from their non-secure home PC. A small vendor with a seemingly insignificant vulnerability.
How to prevent unauthorized app use?
Making proactive decisions about your tech stack can go a long way toward preventing unauthorized app use. For example, by making a secure video chatting or collaboration tool available, you reduce the likelihood of employees going out of their way to install their own (less secure) solutions.
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 should be protected using multi-factor authentication?
Any machine that is capable of connecting to your network should be protected using multi-factor authentication, automatic session timeouts, and access monitoring to prevent unauthorized users from getting into the data, even if they have the device.
Why is single sign on important?
In addition, implementing single sign-on technology can help IT security teams control access and set security permissions across multiple applications.
