How to Alter Ports that Accept RDP
In today’s digital landscape, Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) has become an essential tool for remote access and management of systems. However, by default, RDP uses port 3389, which can make it vulnerable to attacks. As a result, many organizations opt to alter the default RDP port to enhance security. In this article, we will discuss the steps to alter ports that accept RDP on various operating systems.
1. Windows Systems
To alter the RDP port on a Windows system, follow these steps:
1. Open the “Remote Desktop Services” management console by typing “Remote Desktop Services” in the search bar and selecting the appropriate result.
2. In the console, right-click on “Remote Desktop Services” and select “Properties.”
3. In the “Remote Desktop Services Properties” window, go to the “Connections” tab.
4. Right-click on the default “RDP-Tcp” connection and select “Properties.”
5. In the “RDP-Tcp Properties” window, go to the “Advanced” tab.
6. Under “Port Number,” enter the new port number you want to use for RDP connections.
7. Click “OK” to save the changes and close all the open windows.
2. Linux Systems
For Linux systems, the process to alter the RDP port varies depending on the distribution and the RDP server software being used. Here’s a general guide for most Linux distributions:
1. Install the RDP server software, such as xrdp or FreeRDP.
2. Configure the RDP server to listen on a different port by editing the server’s configuration file. For example, in the case of xrdp, open the “/etc/xrdp/xrdp.ini” file using a text editor.
3. Look for the “port” line and change the value to the new port number you want to use.
4. Save the changes and restart the RDP server to apply the new port setting.
3. macOS Systems
On macOS, you can use Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection app to connect to an RDP server. However, altering the RDP port on macOS is not a straightforward process. One way to achieve this is by using a third-party RDP client that supports custom port settings. Here’s a general guide:
1. Install a third-party RDP client, such as RealVNC Viewer or AnyDesk.
2. Open the RDP client and enter the RDP server’s IP address and the new port number you want to use.
3. Connect to the RDP server using the custom port.
4. Security Considerations
When altering the RDP port, it’s essential to consider the following security aspects:
1. Choose a non-standard port number that is not commonly used by other services.
2. Use strong passwords and encryption for RDP connections.
3. Implement firewalls and network access control lists (ACLs) to restrict access to the RDP port.
4. Regularly update and patch your RDP server software to protect against vulnerabilities.
By following these steps and considering the security aspects, you can successfully alter the ports that accept RDP on various operating systems, enhancing the security of your remote desktop connections.
