What is Remote Desktop Protocol? RDP Full Form

Hybrid work has pushed IT teams to keep employees productive from kitchens, coworking spaces, and branch offices. That shift made secure remote access to Windows desktops and servers a daily requirement rather than a backup plan.

Many businesses still rely on Remote Desktop Protocol to reach internal systems quickly. Remote Desktop Protocol lets administrators manage Windows endpoints, virtual machines, and session hosts efficiently while keeping the user experience close to working at a physical desk.

What is RDP?

RDP stands for “Remote Desktop Protocol”. Remote Desktop Protocol is a Microsoft proprietary protocol that allows remote connections to other computers, most commonly using TCP port 3389.

Remote Desktop Protocol also provides network access for a user over an encrypted channel. A network administrator uses the RDP port to diagnose issues, log in to remote servers, and perform other remote actions. Remote users use the Remote Desktop Protocol server to log in to their corporate network, which helps them access email, files, and line of business apps. It lets you remotely manage computer maintenance tasks and easily share screen, audio, video, and files with the connected remote PC.

An RDP connection is available for most Linux distributions, Android, macOS, and other operating systems. An open-source version of the RDP port (xrdp and FreeRDP) is also available. It supports different network topologies, like LAN and mesh, as well as transport layers such as NetBIOS and TCP/IP.

How does RDP work?

With Remote Desktop Protocol, you can access a remote computer or virtual machine and display its desktop services on the device you are using. It helps you control the remote computer with your mouse, and the keyboard helps you operate the remote machine and any apps residing on it.

The computer from which the connection request starts must run RDP client software. The computer that is being accessed must run RDP server software called Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH).

By default, all Windows computers include the Remote Desktop Protocol stack and respond to inbound connection requests. However, Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) hosting is only available on Windows Pro and higher editions. If you are running Windows Home, you must upgrade to Windows Pro to host RDC.

Features of RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol)

Here are the important features of Remote Desktop Protocol:

• It allows users to use their local printer through a remote desktop service.
• It helps users access local serial and parallel ports directly.
• You can use multiple monitors simultaneously across one session.
• You can use the language bar on the local computer to control its input settings.
• You can access local files inside a remote desktop session.
• You can share the clipboard between your Remote Desktop and the local computer.
• You can optimize the rate of data transfer over low-speed connections.
• Encryption, Network Level Authentication, and smart card support harden every session.

How to Connect to a Remote Desktop on Windows?

All Windows PCs and Windows Servers ship with the Remote Desktop Connection client as part of the default installation, including Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11. Once you understand the protocol, setup takes only a few clicks.

Here are the steps to connect to a Windows Remote Desktop port on another Windows PC or server:

Step 1) Perform the following steps:

1. Select Windows key + R and type mstsc into the Run dialog box.
2. Then select the OK button to start the Remote Desktop Connection application.

Step 2) Type the hostname or IP address of your Windows Remote Desktop into the text box, then press the Connect button.

Step 3) Next:

1. Type the IP address of your target computer.
2. Enter the username.

Optional Settings

You can confirm the remote connection’s display configuration and color quality under the Display tab.

You can pick which peripherals to share with your Windows Remote Desktop by opening Local Resources > More. This option allows you to share your local printer with the remote PC.

Windows can automatically determine the quality of your remote connection. For that, you need to select your connection speed under the Experience tab.

Certain enterprise networks require you to use a Remote Desktop Gateway to connect to a secure network for a tunneled Remote Desktop port connection. You can set this configuration by clicking Advanced > Settings.

When you are ready to make the connection, press Connect. You may need to press Yes to a warning about the connection’s identity.

Important tips for establishing secure window base RDP connections

With a working Remote Desktop session established, the next priority is locking it down. Past vulnerabilities such as BlueKeep (CVE-2019-0708) proved that an exposed RDP port can hand attackers a system-level shell within seconds.

Here are important points to remember before establishing a secure Windows Remote Desktop:

• You should never expose RDP connections directly over the internet.
• Use strong, unique passwords for any account that can sign in.
• Enable Network Level Authentication (NLA), which helps you ensure that a connection only occurs when it is authenticated.
• Restrict RDP connections to non-administrators where possible.
• Limit incorrect password attempts before the account is locked out.
• Remote Desktop Protocol will always use the highest possible level of encryption.
• Sit Remote Desktop Protocol behind an RDP gateway or VPN, never on the open internet.

Best Practices for Additional Security

Here are some best practices for using Remote Desktop Protocol:

• Limit the specified set of individuals or IP addresses that may access the RDP port.
• Close all unused ports after completing a task or project.
• Use the latest version of Windows and update and patch it regularly to close BlueKeep style issues.
• Change the default port. Windows remote servers use port 3389 for RDP by default.
• You should ensure you are using the latest client and server software versions.
• Use two-factor authentication and deploy strong passwords.
• Put in place a lockout policy to protect the RDP system against brute force attacks.
• Do not allow the server to accept connection attempts from untrusted hosts.
• Make sure users access the corporate network remotely only through a VPN (virtual private network) connection.
• Scan the network continuously for exposed RDP instances and rogue listeners.

What are the advantages of using RDP?

Beyond the hardened setup above, Remote Desktop Protocol delivers business benefits that explain its popularity.

Here are the pros and benefits of using Remote Desktop Protocol:

• It helps you run an application or an entire desktop on centralized servers.
• It can deliver an entire desktop or just a single Windows application.
• It helps you secure remote access without needing to establish a full VPN tunnel for every user.
• Remote Desktop Protocol allows employees worldwide to access their work computers.
• It helps you manage virtual machine-based desktops or session-based desktops on centralized servers.
• Using Remote Desktop helps you adopt a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy for workers away from the office.
• It lets you access your desktop data from anywhere in the world.

Alternative to Remote Desktop

If Remote Desktop Protocol does not fit every use case, several mature alternatives can sit alongside or replace Microsoft Remote Desktop.

Here are some alternatives to Remote Desktop:

• RemotePC: Remote desktop software, also called remote access software or remote control software, allows you to control one computer remotely. This app allows you to remote into a computer from a mobile device. You can also record the session to a video file.
• TeamViewer: A free remote desktop and support tool for consumers with paid plans for enterprise users. This software allows you to connect to multiple workstations remotely. TeamViewer also lets you enhance system performance with GPU for hardware-accelerated image processing.
• Chrome Remote Desktop: This is a lightweight and free remote desktop application. You can use this one of the best remote desktop apps within the Google Chrome browser on other major platforms.
• SolarWinds Dameware: This tool offers remote support and control for enterprise teams, both in-house and MSPs. It is a cloud-based tool, but you can install a local version on on-site Windows PCs and servers. It offers multi-factor authentication and multi-platform support.

What do attackers do with RDP?

Once attackers gain control of a server, they can pivot quickly. Common malicious activities on a compromised Remote Desktop Protocol host include:

• Clearing log files that contain evidence of their presence on the system.
• Disabling security software, scheduling backups or shadow copies, and setting up antivirus exclusions to hide further tooling.
• Dropping ransomware, credential stealers, or remote access trojans into shared folders.
• Using the foothold for lateral movement across the domain through the same Remote Desktop Protocol channel.

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