By Hester / Last Updated May 16, 2023

Which protocol adds security to remote connections?

Connecting to hosts over the Internet necessitates a remote connection. One popular remote access protocol is the RDP protocol. However, it is not a secure configuration because threat actors could acquire access by abusing specific RDP-related flaws.

Since then, which protocol adds security to remote connections has been the subject of most inquiries. Firewalls were first created to use port numbers to identify remote services to restrict server access to only traffic intended for a specific service. However, they are unable to decrypt data. The Secure Shell (SSH) protocol was created in this instance to increase the security of remote connections.

Secure Protocol for Remote Connection

What is SSH?

Secure Shell is a protocol designed for Linux server access but can be used on any server running any operating system. SSH, unlike RDP, has only command-line interfaces, which are often managed by bash. SSH is therefore technically challenging for end users to set up.

The main security feature of SSH is the client/server authentication model, which uses public/private key pairs rather than conventional credentials to avoid remote access security issues. These keys operate similarly to a classic lock and key, with the private key serving as the only key that can open the lock and the public key as the lock itself. Users often keep their private SSH keys on their computers, while their servers keep their public keys.

SSH secures authentication substantially better than a basic username and password because each key employs 2048-bit encryption, which is far more difficult to crack than a standard password.

SSH

How does SSH work?

If you want to connect to a server using SSH, you'll need both the client and server sides of the application. The client will use the supplied information to establish a connection to the remote host when the credentials have been verified.

Through a unique TCP/IT port, the server maintains a watch on the network and is prepared to accept any incoming connection requests from clients. The client must first provide the required authentication data to create a secure remote connection using SSH.

How SSH Works

Differences between RDP protocol and SSH protocol

Although both RDP vs SSH are used to remotely access computers and other servers, they differ in certain ways. One can argue that SSH is inherently more secure than RDP, which requires additional tools like a VPN or multi-factor authentication. Credentials are typically easier to compromise than key pairs.

RDP requires less technical knowledge than SSH, making it more appealing to enterprises with little technical skills or smaller, inexperienced IT teams. RDP is easily accessible and even used by non-technical staff thanks to its GUI-focused design.

Limitations of SSH

SSH was not successful in supporting all applications, which led to the development of additional encrypted protocols that are currently widely used. The most widely used protocol is TLS (Transport Layer Security), which is used for web and email communication. TLS can protect connections between your computer (or smartphone) and the servers that process your requests over both HTTP and SMTP.

Nothing is completely secure out of the box when it comes to security. Even with SSH keys, IT organizations will still need to take the necessary precautions to guarantee the security of the crucial data on their infrastructure and that end users guard their private keys.

Additionally, SSH into a server may be challenging for non-technical users because it is command-line driven and is normally operated through the use of the bash shell.

Bonus tip: One click to establish a secure remote connection between Windows

Using SSH is quite complicated for users who are not skilled at commands. If you are looking for an easier way to remote access your computer safely, we recommend using the best remote access software AnyViewer.

Due to its simple operations and straightforward interfaces, AnyViewer is an extremely user-friendly solution. You can start a remote session with only one click after quickly downloading and registering. Besides, the powerful ECC algorithm used in end-to-end encryption will successfully protect your data during the connection.

Download AnyViewer on your devices:

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/Server
Secure Download

Step 1. Click Sign up to establish a new account on the host server, then log in.

Log in Anyviewer

Step 2. Use the same account you used on the host computer to log in on the client computer.

Free Editions

Step 3. Navigate to the Device interface to see a list of your assigned devices. Choose the device you want to connect to, and then select One-click control.

Connect to My Devices

Notes:✎...If you have more than two remote PCs, we advise upgrading your account. With the inexpensive corporate memberships that AnyViewer offers, you may take advantage of more extensive rights.
Assign up to 100 devices for one-click control.
Establish more concurrent sessions.
Create a connection in privacy mode to blacken the screen and disable the keyboard & mouse of the host PC.
Enjoy high-quality image performance.

 

The bottom line

Which protocol adds security to remote connections? The answer is SSH. SSH is a safe method for connecting servers remotely. However, if you are unfamiliar with the command line, it could be challenging to use. Don't worry, you can do the same activity with minimal effort by using AnyViewer, another secure and simple remote access solution.