Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a protocol developed by Microsoft, providing the user access to remotely connect with another computer. Microsoft’s remote desktop protocol is one of the best currently available in the market, working efficiently with an effortless graphical user interface (GUI). It can be used between multiple Windows Operating Systems and Devices. This article discussed RDP protocol security and current RDP vulnerabilities.

Domain Member: Digitally Encrypt or Sign Secure Channel Data is a Microsoft security setting, when enabled, ensures that all traffic to/from the secure channel is encrypted. It is a crucial component of Active Directory that's used by domain members and controllers for seamless communication. The secure channel is essentially a communication channel that allows users uninterrupted access to their user accounts in specific domains.

Server compliance is critical to regulatory compliance, ensuring that organizations meet industry-specific standards for protecting sensitive data. Proper server configuration and continuous risk management are essential to avoid fines and maintain operational integrity. Server compliance is the adherence to specific regulations, standards, and best practices designed to safeguard sensitive information, maintain operational efficiency, and mitigate potential risks.

OS hardening refers to the process of enhancing the security of an operating system by implementing various measures and practices to minimize vulnerabilities and strengthen its resistance against potential cyber threats and attacks. This involves configuring the OS settings, applying security patches, disabling unnecessary services, and implementing access controls to create a more robust and secure computing environment.

NTLM has three versions - NTLMv1, NTLMv2 and NTLMv2 Session Security. NTLMv2 is supposed to offer better security than its previous version, and to some extent it does provides better defense against relay and brute force attacks, but does not completely block them. NTLMv2 Session Security is a session security protocol that can be used in conjunction with NTLMv1 or NTLMv2 to provide additional security.

Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is a Windows security feature that protects systems by preventing code from executing in memory areas designated for data storage. By ensuring only authorized programs can run in specific memory regions, DEP helps block malicious software, such as viruses, from executing harmful code. It operates at both hardware and software levels, monitoring memory usage to prevent exploits like buffer overflow attacks.

When a computer is connected to a network (domain), it is given a machine account that represents that computer on the network. This account is used to authenticate the computer allowing it to access network resources and do tasks. Each machine account, also known as a domain member. has its own unique password for each network. Disable machine account password changes controls whether domain-joined machines automatically change their machine account passwords with the domain controller (DC).