Securing Windows Terminal Services Web Access: Best Practices and Considerations

When it comes to accessing remote desktop services, security is of utmost importance. In this article, we will discuss the best practices and considerations for securing Windows Terminal Services web access.

One of the most effective ways to secure your Windows Terminal Services web access is by using firewalls (both software and hardware where available) to restrict access to remote desktop listening ports (default is TCP 3389). This can help prevent unauthorized access to your system and reduce the risk of security breaches.

Older versions of Remote Desktop may not support high encryption and may have other security flaws. Therefore, it's essential to ensure that you are using the latest version of both the client and server software. You can do this by enabling automatic Microsoft Updates, which will help keep your system up-to-date with the latest security fixes.

In addition to using firewalls and keeping your software up-to-date, another important step is to use strong passwords on any accounts with access to Remote Desktop. This should be considered a required step before enabling Remote Desktop. Refer to the campus password complexity guidelines for tips on creating strong passwords.

Another advantage of using Remote Desktop rather than 3rd party remote admin tools is that components are updated automatically with the latest security fixes in the standard Microsoft patch cycle. This approach utilizes the Remote Desktop host itself, in conjunction with YubiKey and RSA as examples.

For campus environments, consider using a two-factor authentication approach to add an extra layer of security. RD Gateways can be configured to integrate with the Campus instance of DUO, providing an additional level of security for remote desktop access.

In conclusion, securing Windows Terminal Services web access requires careful consideration of several factors. By implementing firewalls, keeping your software up-to-date, using strong passwords, and considering two-factor authentication, you can help protect your system from unauthorized access and reduce the risk of security breaches.

Windows terminal services web access