A fantastic piece of software, the Remote Desktop Protocol ( RDP ), was created by Microsoft to allow network access and control of another computer. It’s similar to taking your work laptop with you wherever you go. This enables IT staff to handle systems mildly and allow employees to work anywhere, making RDP a real game-changer in today’s work environment.
Here’s the catch, though: because RDP can be accessed over the internet, it can also be a primary target for immoral thieves. People who gains unauthorized access could possibly take control of your system. That’s why it’s crucial to properly protected RDP.
Why IT groups rely on RDP despite the risks?
Due to its efficiency and flexibility, more than 50 % of Kaseya’s small and medium-sized businesses ( SMBs ) and Managed Service Providers ( MSPs ) customers rely on RDP for daily operations:
- Reduces costs and downtime – IT teams can solve technical problems electronically, avoiding travel costs and delays.
- Helps business continuity – People and administrators can access company systems anywhere.
- Facilitates Scalable IT Management: MSPs can manage various consumer systems from a single program.
RDP’s common use makes it an attractive strike vectors, which calls for regular attention to protect effectively, despite its advantages.
The Rise of Port 1098 Scans: New Concerns
Program communicates normally over terminal 3389. New security studies, like one from the in December 2024, have, however, revealed a worrying pattern. Hackers are now looking for vulnerable RDP systems using terminal 1098, an alternate route that many aren’t since familiar with.
Up to 740, 000 unique IP addresses are being scanned for RDP companies every day, with a sizable portion of these imaging coming from a single nation, to put this into perspective. Attackers use these scans to find compromised, weakened, or unprotected systems, where they can then attempt to elude entry by using their own weaknesses or guessing passwords.
This raises the risk of serious problems like data breaches, malware infections, or unanticipated interruption for businesses, especially SMBs and MSPs.
Keeping Up with Safety Areas
Microsoft constantly releases updates to address security flaws in order to reduce these risks. For instance, Microsoft addressed nine significant security flaws in Windows Remote Desktop Services in December 2024. These changes addressed a number of security-related problems, preventing known flaws from being exploited simply.
Then, in January’s update, two additional critical vulnerabilities ( labeled and ) were patched. If left unchecked, both of these vulnerabilities may make it possible for hackers to mildly perform harmful code on a program without the need for passwords.
How Kaseya’s vPenTest Strategically Helps Secure RDP & More
RDP that is displayed on the internet is more frequently a malfunction than an expected settings. We were able to get 368 instances of RDP exposed to the public net in the last 28 of 729 physical network pentests that we conducted. 490 Bluekeep cases have been discovered on internal systems.
Tools like are incredibly helpful for businesses looking for a strategic process to protect their internal and external networks. provides :
- The system will accomplish both internal and external network pentests. IT experts are now able to carry out the same attacks as an intruder against the systems they manage to examine security controls and actively protect them.
- Multi-Tenant: The software was created with the needs of an IT team that had many tasks in mind. IT professionals are in charge of managing all pentest engagements with the platform’s many businesses.
- Detailed Reporting and Dashboard: vPenTest will create a set of information with an Executive Summary and a Technical Report that are both very extensive. IT Professionals can quickly examine findings, recommendations, and afflicted systems using the platform’s screen for each evaluation.
IT experts are now able to run a genuine network pentest against the businesses they manage more frequently and at a larger size than ever before in technical history.
How Datto EDR Helps Secure RDP
Tools like Datto Endpoint Detection and Response ( EDR) are extremely useful for companies looking for an extra layer of protection. Datto EDR provides:
- Real-Time Threat Detection (RTTD ) detects unusual behavior in RDP traffic, such as strange port usage or unanticipated access attempts, and issues alerts when something goes wrong.
- Automated Reactions: The system can detect suspicious activity and automatically detach it from the danger, preventing possible breaches.
- Administrators can learn more about an incident through comprehensive monitoring, which helps them understand what took place and build stronger future defenses.
This implies that businesses can benefit from the advantages of RDP while keeping their methods safer from contemporary challenges with Datto EDR.
Realistic RDP Lockdown Tips
Here are some easy steps to follow to protect your RDP rig:
- Fast Patching: Always download updates as soon as they become available. Vendors regularly release patches to patch fresh vulnerabilities.
- Limit Exposure: Set up a limit on RDP access for only trusted personnel, and think about switching the default port ( 3389 ) to something less predictable.
- Use Multi-Factor Authentication: Adding additional confirmation methods, such as MFA and Network Level Authentication, make it much more difficult for hackers to gain access.
- Make Sure to Use Solid Passwords: Make sure that passwords are complicated and have a maximum length requirement to prevent brute-force attacks.
By implementing these actions, you can significantly lower the likelihood of your RDP companies becoming a gateway for attacks.
RDP Is Not Ending, But Security Needs to Improve.
RDP is a crucial tool that has transformed how companies operate, enabling distant work and effective program control. It does, however, come with its own set of challenges, just like with any effective tool. It’s important to stay current with security updates and best practices then that attackers are constantly looking for new avenues like port 1098 to exploit vulnerabilities.
You can enjoy the freedom of RDP without compromising your group’s security by keeping your techniques patched, restricting access, using multi-factor verification, and using innovative security solutions like Datto EDR.
Be informed and stay healthy!