Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)

RDP, or  Remote Desktop Protocol , is a technical standard that enables  remote use of a desktop computer . So RDP allows connecting to a remote desktop computer from a separate computer. In this way, the files of the remote desktop computer can be easily  accessed and edited.

Although Virtual Network Computing ( VNC ) and  ICA are used as remote desktop software, they have not become as popular as RDP. The ease of use of RDP has made it easier for users, especially those working remotely, to connect to their work computers. 

RDP  is a network protocol developed by  Microsoft and  runs smoothly on Windows operating systems . After its release, RDP  has also been made available on operating systems such as  Mac ,  Linux and  Unix  .

 

How Does RDP Work?

The operations, clicks and texts that the user wants to perform remotely are transmitted to the desktop computer connected to the internet. In fact, the user can easily use the computer connected to the remote desktop as if he were standing in front of it. 

There are two components for RDP connections to work. These are  RDP server and  RDP client . RDP Client allows controlling the RDP server. In doing so, it provides remote access between two computers via a private network. 

All requests, texts and clicks that the user wants to make  are sent to this private network via  the transfer protocol  called TCP/IP  . Thus, the user’s request is fulfilled securely because RDP encrypts and transmits all data. 

RDP divides the connection  into nine stages . RDP connection stages are: Sending a connection request, negotiation, channel connection, security applications, configuration in security settings, licensing, adding requests, terminating the connection and data exchange.

 

What are the advantages of RDP? 

RDP has many advantages. So what exactly are the advantages of RDP?

1. RDP does not need VPN.
2. It stores all data securely on the user’s desktop. 
3. RDP allows users to work from anywhere. It is quite simple to access a remote desktop and its files using RDP. 
4. RDP facilitates the work of experts who provide technical support and system maintenance specialists in case of any problems with the computer.

 

Features of RDP

Features of RDP mainly include:

• It creates a secure connection  between desktop computers  . 
• It allows working on different operating systems  .
• Allows authentication  .
• It reduces bandwidth  .
• It provides support for GPU,  which is called graphics processing unit  .
• Files  on the remote desktop  can be edited and even printed.

What are the Disadvantages of RDP? 

1. RDP may not work at full performance in areas with low connection speed. Delays may occur in the user’s requests. These delays can cause productivity to decrease. 
2. RDP also has some  security vulnerabilities . Remote desktop may be vulnerable to malicious attacks. 

 

What are RDP Security Vulnerabilities?

Any hardware or software error that allows attackers to gain unauthorized access is called a vulnerability. RDP also has some security vulnerabilities. The most important RDP vulnerabilities are: 

1. Weak login information. Desktop computers have passwords created by users. These passwords protect the confidentiality and security of the documents inside the computer. However, if the same passwords are used when logging in remotely via RDP, this may become a security threat. Companies sometimes bypass these measures and do not manage passwords, leaving the desktop open to threats. 
2. RDP connections  occur on port 3389*  . Malicious attackers can recognize that this is the port and take this connection to their target. 
3. Another RDP vulnerability  is called BlueKeep , which allows remote code execution. BlueKeep allows  attackers to remotely execute any code on the computer by sending requests to the port  .

 

How to Fix RDP Security Vulnerabilities? 

1. These vulnerabilities can be eliminated by using  the latest version  of the RDP protocol  .
2. For weak login credentials, users can change their desktop computer password  to a stronger password . Again, processes such as   two-factor authentication  can be added as a solution to this problem.
3. Firewall rules  can be imposed against port attacks  . The company can manually accept traffic from employees’ IP addresses and block all other port traffic. However, determining the IP address of all devices and transferring it to the system requires a lot of manual effort. 

 

Development of RDP

The poor quality of RDP’s graphical interface was one of its biggest problems. Here’s how RDP updates have evolved over the years:

• In 2008 , Microsoft  released RemoteFX as an advanced version of RDP  .
• In 2012 , RemoteFX was developed. Adaptive graphics were used in this version.
• In 2016 , the popularity of RDP increased with the addition of OpenCL / OpenGL and PCIe passthrough  for graphics processing unit (GPU) applications  .