How do I secure my Windows Server?

There are numerous ways to help improve security on your Windows server. Starting with the basics, we strongly recommend the following:

1) Keep your Operating System and all software completely up-to-date
2) Configure and actively use the Windows Firewall and additional security applications to monitor and filter malicious connections
3) Change the Administrator username
4) Disable all services unless required for your server's functionality
5) Disable all anonymous connections to the server and it's services
6) Randomize the ports used for each of the following services:

  • RDP (Remote Desktop)
  • SQL
  • FTP

7) Restrict access to services by IP Address (especially RDP)

8) Monitor your server logs and 'Event Viewer' for illegitimate connection and login attempts

Ther are numerous articles on the Microsoft knowledgebase regarding these topics and many more:

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc995076.aspx
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc526440.aspx

 

  • windows, security, server hardening, remote desktop
  • 2 Users Found This Useful
Was this answer helpful?

Related Articles

How do I disable Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration?

How to disable Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration (IE ESC) in Windows Server 2012...

How do I manually add a second IP address to my Windows installation?

If you have purchased a second ip address for your Windows installation and need to add the new...

How to Open A Custom Port in Windows Server 2008

We recommend using the extensive support documentation from Microsoft:...

How do I enable audio over Remote Desktop?

There are two basic steps which need to be taken to ensure audio is enabled on your Windows VPS....

How to Enable Remote SQL connections with SQL Server Express?

To enable remote SQL connections with SQL Server Express please use the following steps: Click...