RDP is an acronym for remote desktop protocol. As the name suggests, it is used to connect to a different computer over a network connection. Developed and managed by Microsoft, RDP runs on Windows computers.
Though built to manage remote work easily, RDP has become a boon for hackers. More often than not, they look for backdoors to enter into your computer. Port 3389 allows remote desktop access to a PC or server. And, when connected to the internet, hackers can easily find and control your system.
But the good news is, you can easily change the RDP port and safeguard your system from cybercriminals. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to change the RDP port. We will also discuss how to keep the remote access of your system after changing the RDP port. Let’s get started!
1 – Buy Reliable RDP VPS Server Hosting
One of the best ways to change the RDP port is by purchasing a reliable RDP. When you buy RDP instant activation, it will change your server’s location and IP address, making it difficult for unauthorized people to gain access to your system. This will also reduce the risk of getting your system hacked with automated password guessing.
While this is the best way to change the RDP port, you can also change it using Windows Registry. Here’s how.
2- Changing RDP Port Using Windows Registry
Windows Registry refers to the database of configuration settings for Windows services. You can change your RDP port from Windows Registry. Here’s a step-by-step guide to doing so:
- Right-click on the “Start” menu and select “Run.”
- Type “Regedit” in the Run dialog box.
- You will then see the Windows Registry editor. Then, navigate through the left-side menu to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp\PortNumber
- This is the default port number that cyber criminals usually use to gain access to your system.
- Change the parameter value to decimal and type any number. For instance, in my system, I have used 3987 (Decimal). You can choose any number between 1 and 65353.
- Press on Ok and restart your computer.
If you have enabled a firewall in your system, you will need to configure that too to use the remote access functionality of your computer. If you don’t, you will lose access to your server. Here is how you can create a new rule for your firewall.
- Right-click on the “Start” menu and select “Run.”
- Type “wf.msc” in the Run dialog box.
- You will then see the Windows Firewall management console. You can use it to edit or configure new rules. Since we have changed the port number, we will configure new rules.
- Click on Inbound Rules from the left-side menu under Windows Firewall MMC Menu.
- Then, click on New Rules from the Actions tab on the right side.
- You will see a popup named New Inbound Rule Wizard. Select Port and click Next to continue.
- You will see a new window asking a question, “Does this rule apply to TCP or UDP?” Click on UDP.
- Another question that you will see is, “Does this rule apply to all local ports or specific local ports?” Select specific local ports and type your custom port number (that you entered above).
- Click on Next to continue.
- From the options, select “Allow the Connection” and click on Next.
- You will now see three options asking when this rule applies, meaning which firewall profiles you want to apply this rule. Again, we recommend leaving all three boxes checked for uninterrupted connection.
- Click on Next and give a name to your rule, and you’re done.
- Click on Finish and enjoy!
How to Connect to a Remote Computer Using RDP Port?
Now that you have changed your RDP port, how do you connect with your computer remotely? Here’s how:
- Right-click on the “Start” menu and select “Run.”
- Type “mstsc” in the Run dialog box.
- You will now see a remote desktop connection window.
- Type the IP address of your computer (or the one you want to connect to remotely).
- At the end of the IP address, type the port number in this format – IP:port. For example, if your IP address is 192.168.0.1 and the port number is 3987, you will have to type:
192.168.0.1:3987
- Click on connect, and you will be able to now access the computer remotely.
Conclusion
The RDP port was designed to access the system remotely. However, cybercriminals have started using it as a backdoor to gain unauthorized access to anyone’s computer. Since by default the RDP port is the same for every system, it gets easier to hack them. Make sure to follow the above steps appropriately to change the RDP port while still keeping the remote control of your computer.
