Why Protect Remote Desktop, and Why Use BruteFence?
Remote Desktop is useful because it lets you quickly access a Windows computer remotely. That's exactly why it's a target: if exposed to the internet, login attempts will eventually come. Attackers automatically search for accessible Remote Desktop and try passwords. You don't need to be a "big company" – even a simple online computer can receive such attempts. The problem is that this isn't a one-time event, but continuous "pressure" on your login surface.
What's the Real Risk?
If someone gets in, it can easily lead to data loss, downtime, or further damage. The consequences vary: it could be ransomware, data theft, or your computer being used for other attacks. Often the damage isn't immediately visible – you only find out later that someone was already inside.
Why Isn't a "Strong Password" Enough?
Many people think a strong password is sufficient on its own. A strong password is important, but it doesn't solve the problem of unlimited login attempts. The whole point of password guessing is that with enough tries, there might eventually be a hit. There's also a method where attackers don't hammer one account but try a few passwords across many accounts. That's why protection needs to work not just at the "password level" but also handle the attempts themselves.
Why BruteFence?
This is where BruteFence comes in. BruteFence monitors failed login attempts and can take automatic protective action. This is important because no one is going to watch logs all day. Attacks don't come during business hours – they come anytime. BruteFence provides that "24/7 monitoring" automatically.
The biggest advantage is that it takes the manual firefighting off your shoulders. When the system sees many failed attempts, it doesn't just alert – it acts. This drastically reduces the chance that someone can keep trying from the same IP for a long time. Attackers often rely on the fact that there's no immediate response. But if blocking is fast, many automated attempts simply fail.
BruteFence + Basic Protection: Why They Work Together
BruteFence is useful even if you already have a strong password. The password protects against unauthorized access. BruteFence, however, prevents them from even trying. The two work best together: one is the lock on the gate, the other is the guard who sends the intruder away before they even reach the lock.
Operational Advantage: Less Stress, Consistent Protection
Another important aspect is logs and transparency. If you can see that attacks are happening, it helps you decide whether to restrict access or add extra protection. In a password guessing situation, time is critical: the faster you respond, the smaller the chance of damage. BruteFence brings that response time down to "instant" without human intervention.
If you have multiple computers, manually blocking becomes unmanageable. Without automation, the process falls apart and protection levels fluctuate. With BruteFence, you set a simple rule: threshold, block duration, exceptions. After that, the system responds consistently the same way on every machine.
Quick Checklist: What to Do Now
- Have automatic response to many failed attempts (e.g., BruteFence)
- Keep your system up to date
- Check logs occasionally
Summary
Using Remote Desktop is convenient, but if it's accessible from the internet, you need to expect continuous attempts. Good protection is layered: alongside updates and good passwords, you need an automatic layer that catches password guessing. BruteFence is strong at this: it handles the most common, everyday attack patterns early and automatically, reducing risk and making operations more peaceful.