How to Make Your RDP More Secure With Two Factor Authentication

With the increasing amount of cyberattacks over the past years, it’s no surprise that companies are implementing 2FA to make their assets more secure. With the advancement of two-factor authentication, there have developed more options for your RDP two-factor authentication. In addition to your username and password, you need an added authentication method to ensure maximum security with your Remote Desktop Protocol and Windows Logon. 

Authentication Options

Push Notification

Push notification authentication is a mobile-specific authentication option where the service provider sends the user a notification over their registered device. The user responds to the authentication by performing an action to verify their identity. 

Push notifications are often deployed as part of multi-factor authentication with additional factors such as knowledge using a device PIN. Push notifications can be used with legacy systems and even passwordless systems.

It’s important to note that while push authentication is common and probably the most used, it’s also one of the most susceptible to attacks because hackers have developed the technology to intercept push notification text messages or participate in push notification fatigue. 

Hardware Token

Hardware tokens are small physical devices that are used as another way to authorize your access to your RDP two-factor authentication. As a token owner, you connect the hardware token to the system you want to enter to get access to its service. 

When accessing your Remote Desktop or Windows Logon, you first need to enter your unique username and password. Once completed, you’ll be prompted for additional verification. In this case, your additional verification is the 6-digit code that reads on the hardware token. Each unique code refreshes every 45 seconds so you can guarantee that the same code is never used twice. 

Security Key

A security key is a unique type of authentication that is not commonly used. Generally, it’s an external physical device (similar to a USB), that you plug into your computer. The security key is linked to your Remote Desktop and Windows Logon and will only grant access to those accounts once the key is plugged in and activated.

A security key is possibly the highest form of two-factor authentication as it doesn’t rely on another device such as a cell phone. It can protect against phishing attacks and even has built-in protections against hacking if lost or stolen.

One-Time Passcodes

As the name would suggest, one-time passcodes (OTP), provide a mechanism for logging on to a network or service using a unique passcode that can only be used once. One-time passcodes prevent most forms of attacks by making sure the code used by the user cannot be used a second time. 

Usually, the user’s login credentials stay the same, but the one-time passcode changes with each login. OTPs are considered to be a form of strong authentication, providing better protection in industries such as finance or banking. 

Biometric 

With recent technology developments, biometric authentication has become a fan favorite when adding an additional layer of security. Think of biometric authentication as the user becoming the token. A user’s face, fingerprint, retina, and even voice can become the token to prove their identity and gain access to their account. 

Theoretically, biometric authentication is considered to be one of the most secure authentication options since it really just requires you and no one can duplicate your human features. 

There are some drawbacks to biometrics as some users have concerns about privacy and how their biometric data is stored. Not to mention that it can be costly as you would need scanners and cameras for this method. 

There is no ‘one-size-fits-all when it comes to adding additional authentication to your RDP two-factor authentication. As a company, it’s up to you to decide which authentication option you want to use to make your Remote Desktop more secure. It’s always a good idea to think of the three possession factors; something you know, something you have, and something you are; when trying to decide which two-factor authentication option to use.