Remote Desktop Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Enable multi-factor authentication for both remote end users and IT techs
Multi-factor authentication (MFA), including two-factor authentication, is important for maintaining IT security in many scenarios, such as remote access. MFA can help ensure sensitive information traveling across an organization’s corporate network remains secure even when using RDP and other remote access connections.
SolarWinds® Dameware® Remote Everywhere (DRE) lets you implement MFA authentication for both your end users and IT technicians to bring an added level of security to each end of your remote connection. With DRE, you can use your regular user credentials and require inputting a dynamically generated security code sent to another device before gaining access to a device that may contain sensitive data.
Get easy, safer remote access to user devices typically in seconds
When it comes to providing efficient remote support, you want a solution to help you make remote connections fast—and one that will keep those connections safe. SolarWinds Dameware Remote Everywhere is built to give you both, usually letting you connect to remote devices in under 8 seconds and with support for multi-factor authentication and multi-level permissions.
DRE also features advanced encryption protocols to help ensure data transferred between end-user and technician devices remains safe. With DRE, IT techs can also safely access unattended machines in seconds—even when the end user is unavailable—thanks to KVM, Wake-on-LAN, and Intel vPro with AMT support.
Implement multi-factor authentication for remote desktop on various device types and operating systems
When it comes to offering remote support, you need a solution that can connect to more than a Windows Server or to desktop devices. At a time when remote work and BYOD policies are on the rise, meaning more people than ever before are using their personal devices for work, you need a remote access solution designed to make safer connections across device types and operating systems.
SolarWinds DRE can be used to connect to desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. It also works with various operating systems including Windows, Linux, and macOS. You can make connections from a remote desktop PC to a Mac system, or a remote desktop Mac to a Linux solution, and more—so IT techs can support end users, no matter what device or operating system either are running. With DRE, you can also set up multi-factor authentication for accessing these different device types and connections.
Make two-factor authentication remote connections from and to any device, including mobile devices
Sometimes, you may need to make or receive a remote desktop connection when not near a computer. SolarWinds Dameware Remote Everywhere tackles this problem head-on by letting technicians make remote connections using mobile devices in addition to providing remote support for user mobile devices.
Using the DRE mobile app, technicians can use mobile devices to more easily provide support from wherever they are. Users can also receive Android and iOS mobile remote support for mobile devices with Dameware Remote Everywhere. Both mobile options support requiring multi-factor authentication to create the remote connection.
Get More on Remote Desktop Multi-Factor Authentication
What is remote desktop multi-factor authentication (MFA)?
MFA for remote systems is the process of adding an extra layer of security to your remote support. All forms of authentication, whether they’re usernames and passwords or codes sent to your phone, are a way for a person accessing sensitive information to prove their identity and demonstrate they’re authorized to access that information.
How does MFA work?
Implementing two-factor or multi-factor authorization (MFA) requires someone attempting to log in to an account to prove their identity using two or more types of credentials before they can gain access.
MFA often involves the user first inputting information only they would know, like their password, into a login space. The second stage of authentication typically involves something the user owns, like their phone or access to a specific email account. As part of MFA, a randomly generated code is sent to a secondary device or account. The user then inputs the code into the login area to confirm their identity.
Whether you’re using a remote desktop gateway or another remote desktop approach, MFA can increase safety by forcing both the end user and the IT tech to prove their identity using multiple factors before they can create a remote device connection. In the event of stolen credentials, implementing multi-factor authentication can be crucial as bad actors are unlikely to also have access to the device or account used as the second stage of protection.
How to set up MFA in Dameware Remote Everywhere
SolarWinds Dameware Remote Everywhere is designed to make implementing multi-factor authentication easier for both end users and IT technicians. In fact, DRE requires technicians to enable MFA to access the Technician Console and Admin Area. DRE also strongly recommends you enable MFA to access the End User Area.
Setting up MFA is built to be simple in DRE. Just navigate to the End User Area or the Tech Console or Admin Area (depending on which form of MFA you’re setting up) and follow the straightforward steps to install an authenticator and prepare your additional layers of security. For example, to set up MFA in Dameware Remote Everywhere for end users, you can follow these steps:
- Log in to the End User Area in the software’s console. When you receive a message to enable MFA, click it.
- A new tab will open in the browser to begin the process of setting up MFA. Pick an authenticator service for your desktop or mobile device.
- You can then use this device to download and install the authentication service. Once the download is complete, navigate back to the End User Area and click Next.
- Open your downloaded authentication app and either copy the security key to enter it manually or scan the QR code. Enter your six-digit code and click Confirm Setup.
- Then click Download Code or Copy Recovery Code to save the code in a secure location.
- Finally, click Complete Setup to complete activation of MFA for end users.
While MFA doesn’t replace the need for standard login credentials, it’s a robust yet simple method to guard against cybersecurity threats and add an extra layer of security to DRE accounts. Given the many benefits of remote support for organizations of any size, you don’t want to be worried about possible safety risks of remote desktop connections. MFA, along with DRE’s thorough encryption protocols, can help reduce risk and bring organizations peace of mind.
Related Features and Tools
Other SolarWinds remote tools designed to support multi- or two-factor authentication:
Other features:
What is remote desktop multi-factor authentication (MFA)?
MFA for remote systems is the process of adding an extra layer of security to your remote support. All forms of authentication, whether they’re usernames and passwords or codes sent to your phone, are a way for a person accessing sensitive information to prove their identity and demonstrate they’re authorized to access that information.
Increase safety with remote desktop multi-factor authentication
Dameware Remote Everywhere
- Implement MFA for end users and IT techs
- Increase safety across multiple device types and operating systems
- Create fast remote connections
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