How to Ensure Your Safety by Changing Your RDP Port?

Since the invention of hardware devices and the integration of extensive storage spaces, users have found them reliable for storage-related purposes. The data can be accessed easily and stays stored as long as the user requires it. However, such devices are also vulnerable to attack by third parties or hackers, encryptions, or other threads.

To avoid such circumstances firsthand, users can perform many safety measures, including changing the RDP port. Changing the RDP port 3389 to another port is considered one of the most protected forms as it ceases any unauthorized access, giving hackers and attackers a challenge while breaking through security walls. The focus of this article is on ensuring device security by changing the RDP port.

Part 1. Reasons to Consider for Changing the RDP Port

The data stored on our PCs, whether they include pictures, videos, or important files, is not worth risking in the hands of a hacker. In addition, the risk of corruption or damage to data due to external threats is always there. Hence, this section discusses the reasons to make you aware of the importance of changing RDP ports:

• Ensures External Attacks Safety: The present RDP default port uses a non-standard common value of 3389. Changing this value makes it difficult to be found by hackers or attackers.
• Safety from Brute Force Attacks: When it comes to hackers, they try to break into your computers by trying combinations of usernames and passwords. However, the routine change-up of RDP ports poses a challenge for hackers even with such brute-force attacks.
• Obscurity: It refers to the addition of a puzzle or mystery for an attacker before stopping unauthorized system access. Changing the RDP port establishes an extra layer of security through obscurity, hence staying one step ahead.
• Reduces Port Conflict Risk: Since RDP port 3389 resolves security issues in a unique way, its use has become very common. Many devices and services use it for scanning purposes, which can lead to port conflicts. Therefore, the changing of ports can be useful in addressing these conflicts.
• Personalization Option: It is advised to alter the RDP port for security purposes and because of its ability to enable customization during remote desktop setups. It allows the host to choose network preferences and separates RDP operations from others.

Part 2. How to Find the Default RDP Port Number on Your PC?

As discussed above, remote desktop protocol (RDP) typically uses Port 3389 by default. However, it is possible to change the RDP port for security reasons. To find the current RDP port on a Windows, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Go to the "Settings" of the desktop, click on "System" and select the "Remote Desktop" option in the left side toolbar. You will need to enable it by toggling the switch and pressing the "Confirm" button.

Step 2: After confirming the changes, scroll down and click on the "Advanced Settings" option. This will automatically show your PC's default RDP Port number under the "Remote Desktop Port" section. In most cases for Windows 10, the default port number is 3320 or 3389.

Part 3. How to Modify the RDP Port for Remote Desktop Connection in Windows?

As you know, it is important to change the RDP port for an extra security step. It will lower the risk of cyberattacks on your system and safeguard it against potential threats. To make it challenging for hackers to locate your RDP services, you can utilize the latest and most effective solutions listed below:

Solution 1. Modify RDP Port Using Windows Registry

Following is a step-by-step guide to enhance security and change the RDP port by configuring settings in the Windows Registry:

Step 1: In the Windows search box, type "Regedit." Moving on, click the "Registry Editor" option and allow you to make changes on your desktop by pressing the "Yes" button. As a precaution, make a backup file for your previous registry settings.

Step 2: When you enter the main interface, double-click the "Computer" section in the top left panel. From the appearing options, tap on "HKEY_LOCAL_ MACHINE." Further, select "System,” then head to "Current Control Set" from there. Next, keep navigating through “Control > Terminal Server > WinStations." Afterward, click on “RDP-Tcp” to access further settings on the right side.

Step 3: To choose from the appearing options, navigate to the "Port Number" section. Make changes by hitting the radio button for “Decimal.” There, write your desired port number under the “Value Data” section. Lastly, hit the “OK” button. Once these changes are applied, restart your device to change it to new settings.

Solution 2. Modify RDP Port Through PowerShell

Another way to secure the remote desktop port is by using PowerShell commands and modifying the current port. For your ease, we have listed the easy-to-follow steps below:

Step 1: First, launch PowerShell by searching for it through the search box. Then, access it by tapping on the "Run as Administrator " option. Before altering, copy the "Command" that is given below, paste it into the PowerShell, and press "Enter" to find the current port of your device.

Get-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp' -name "PortNumber"

Step 2: Once you have checked the current port, run a new command. Again, copy-paste the command below to change your RDP port number successfully:

$portvalue = 3320

Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp' -name "PortNumber" -Value $portvalue

Solution 3. Changing the RDP Listening Port on the Windows Firewall

After making changes in the RDP port, modify your Windows Firewall configuration to build connections with the server. By not doing so, alterations are automatically reversed. We have concisely mentioned steps to enable these changes on the Windows Firewall.

Step 1: For the start, open the “Control Panel” of your device and click the “Windows Defender Firewall” in the “System and Security.” From there, look for “Advanced Setting” in the left panel, and in the next interface, tap on the "Inbound Rules" option. Look for the "New Rule" option in the “Action” pane on the right.

Step 2: Continuing this, select the “Port” radio button and click "Next" to head towards the next options. There, add the required port number in the box next to "Specific Local Ports." Press the “Next” button and hit the “Allow the Connection” option.

Step 3: Make sure that the "Domain," "Private," and "Public" checkboxes are marked. Press the "Next" button. Give a "Name" to your file, and if required, add "Description" for future use and hit the "Finish" button to apply the new rules without restarting the device.

Part 4. How to Select the Optimal Custom RDP Port Number? 

Selecting the optimal number for changing the RDP port decides whether your desktop security will be enhanced. To save you the hustle, here are some suggestions for choosing the right number:

• Pick an Irregular Number: The first and foremost tip while selecting an RDP port number is to choose an unpredictable, irregular number. For instance, it is not wise to use numbers like 3600 as they can be quickly guessed and can be cracked easily.
• Avoid Close Alternatives: While updating the port for many devices at once, choosing relatively closer numbers is risky, as they are easy to remember. However, experts do not recommend this because if an attacker guesses the first RDP port that was 3600, he can also guess the second one, 3605.
• Opt for a Free Port: Using a previously used port can put your device security in danger. Hence, do your research and extract a port not used by any other device or service. Many tools and port scanners can find that out for you.
• Keep a Port Record: Organizations and businesses that use multiple devices must keep a record of ports that have been used in the past. This becomes a future reference while changing ports to avoid repetitions and duplicated ports. In addition, it is also important when it comes to remote desktop access.
• Consider Network Requirements: When working in an organizational network, there might be some restriction policies related to port numbers. In such cases, the options are limited. Thus, you need to select a number as per organizational standards.

Part 5. Explore the Top RDP Alternative - Avica Remote Desktop

There are multiple reasons to use remote desktop software; however, finding a reliable platform is difficult. To address users' concerns related to security and workflow, we introduce Avica Remote Desktop, a multi-functional tool to ensure effective RDP connection across platforms. The software offers AES-256 end-to-end encryptions while having a remote desktop connection, making it easy for you to avoid the hassle of changing the RDP port.

Along with accessing, controlling, and managing devices remotely, it offers other features that make it a multi-faceted option. It offers multiple device connections and a simple user interface that can be accessed on multiple operating systems. Moreover, it has integrated options like voice sync, group monitoring, and drag-and-drop file transfers.

Further, low latency makes it an ideal choice for remote gaming, even for those users with weak internet connections. Also, you can use the chat feature for enhanced communication.

Straightforward Steps for Using Avica for Remote Access

Feel free to easily download Avica software by clicking the button below. If you require additional information about Avica product downloads, please visit the dedicated Avica download page. Rest assured, Avica guarantees safety and ensures that all products acquired from their official website or app store are free from viruses. You can confidently download Avica from these trusted sources.

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Although this software has an easy UI, it is still better to know some important details about this tool. To learn how to use this tool, we have discussed the steps below:

Step 1: Download and Sign in to Avica

First, download and install Avica on your local and remote devices, and launch it. After launching, complete the necessary protocols like adding “Email ID” and “Password,” and click the “Sign In” button to proceed further.

Step 2: Connect to the Required Device Remotely

Once you’re in the main interface of local device's Avica, on the "Remote Session" section, enter the “Avica ID” of the remote device and click the “Connect” button. Then enter the Password of the remote device when called for.

Step 3: Access and Manage Required Device

You now have access to the required device remotely, and you can control it as per your needs. Here, you can customize the settings, such as changing the "Color" and switching to "Digitizer" and "Gamepad." Further, for better security, you can request to enable "Privacy Mode." Avica offers the "Chat" mode to enhance communication effectively.

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Conclusion

After reading this article, you are now aware of the significance of RDP ports and how they secure a device from external dangers like hackers and attackers if updated regularly. Moreover, we have guided you about the methods of changing RDP port values using a few easy solutions. In addition, for better and more secure remote desktop access, we recommend an exceptional tool, Avica.

This tool helps you to easily connect and control desktop computers remotely for multiple purposes. Users can even screen record the entire remote session and use the voice sync feature to address any related client concerns.