How To Protect Your Remote Desktop From RDStealer Malware – And Increase The Security
Trojans, viruses, worms, spyware, adware, and keyloggers. These names are just a few of the many malware that roams and harms our computers. The damage it causes varies, from “only” changing the file extension so it can’t be used to crippling 50 million computers in just 1 day. Given the danger, we think it’s important to remind you once again about how to protect your computer from malware.
Just like in the real world, the Internet is not completely secure. If in the 1980s malware was made just for fun, now malware is created by professionals as a tool to commit crimes.
Cybercrime or crimes committed using computer technology and the Internet has long been a security issue. Like it or not, we must be aware of the dangers and how to prevent them, especially when there’s one type of malware that can infect your remote desktop called RDStealer Malware.
How can we be better protected from it? See the explanation below!
What Is RDStealer Malware
RDStealer Malware is malware used by hackers to steal victims’ personal data, including their bank accounts, house address, and many more. It works by infecting the RDP server, so the hackers can always monitor what’s inside. Usually, hackers would use this malware with a backdoor called Logutil, which functions to infect remote desktops or RD.
While infecting the device, this malware will also proceed with the installation of RDStealer from the client side.
This is when everything gets worsened. Once the remote devices are connected to the server, RDStealer Malware will directly obtain the key information stored, like SSH keys, browser passwords, private databases, and many more.
While collecting this huge amount of information, RDStealer Malware will also implement a keylogger to record users’ keystrokes. Any writings stored in the clipboard will also be recorded.
Another thing you need to know about this RDStealer Malware is that it works on both sides, client, and server. It’s also really tricky to detect this malware as it usually sits around important folders, like System32, for example, which is usually passed by malware scan due to the file amount.
How to Protect Your Remote Desktop from Malware
1. Use a VPN
Since RDStealer Malware may come from any source, it’d be best for you to have a VPN installed. When browsing the internet, you are directly exposed to cybersecurity dangers. Although without your knowledge, malware can infect your hardware anytime the moment you downloaded those questionable files from malicious websites.
So, using a VPN when you’re browsing is a logical thing to do to get yourself more protected. If you want something more practical, you can also refer to VPN routers. It’s a router with a VPN app pre-Installed, so all you need to do is just activate it. Although this type of router does come with more price, you can still reap the benefits from the easiness of using the VPN.
2. Install Antivirus & Activate Firewall
Antivirus and firewall are the main strongholds of your computer device system.
On every device, especially Windows, fortunately, Microsoft has provided a free antivirus called Windows Defender (Windows Security). Usually, users will deactivate this feature when they’re about to download or install software from a third party.
Although it sounds so simple, doing so actually opens up much bigger risks of cybersecurity as your device no longer have protection for at least a moment. So in order to prevent any terrible result, it’s better to keep this feature on, or even update it.
As an option, you can also refer to more premium antivirus software that can give you much better protection against newer threats. These antivirus software usually have extra features for malware protection, which is exactly what you need.
The same thing also goes for the Firewall. If you see it turned off, activate it immediately. Firewall functions to block all non-safe connections from outside. Other than that, it’s also useful to block certain content and monitor bandwidth.
Therefore, also activate the firewall on your device.
3. File Encryption with a Strong Password
Because every user must have very important files and data, whether it’s work, personal photos, or even company files, you should secure it with a certain app.
Don’t forget, to set all passwords on your computer device firmly, use a combination of letters, characters, and numbers to get a strong password. Make sure you memorize all of these passwords. Or, you can use a password manager to keep everything in check.
If possible, you can also back it up to USB offline storage or online like Google Drive, Mega Drive, and so on.
4. Routinely Perform Virus Scans
The next way to secure a computer is to routinely perform virus scans on the system.
Usually, this method is known as Full Scanning. All antiviruses definitely support this one feature, it’s up to you who is willing to scan or not. Even though it’s a little time-consuming, this method is quite effective in dealing with devices from virus infections, you know.
The problem is, some users always skip this method because they think that if they have installed an antivirus, it means that the device is safe. So, if you are one of those users who think that way, from now on do regular system scans.
