PAM was voted the #1 cybersecurity project by Gartner for two years in a row.

This is because it is a strategic measure to choose a PAM solution as a tool to promote cybersecurity in organizations, which allows one to control privileged access for users, accounts, processes, and systems in an IT environment.

In practice, PAM involves a number of capabilities, with the main goal of ensuring the application of the principle of least privilege, according to which each user must have only the necessary access to perform their activities.

In the next topics, we will show you what you should do to choose a PAM solution that is ideal for your business. Keep reading our article.

Follow Technology Events

Following technology events is a way to stay on top of key trends related to information security and know what are the best PAM solution providers.

Between August 22 and 24, Gartner Identity & Access Management will be held in Las Vegas, with experts sharing information on PAM and many other things.

In addition, other enlightening events are planned for 2022 and 2023, including RSAC 2022, Defcon, Red Hat, and the European Identity and Cloud Conference.

Check What the Market Reports Have to Say

Another way to know which PAM suppliers are reliable and offer an efficient solution is through market reports, which bring up-to-date data to buyers.

In this sense, Gartner shares relevant information about the main PAM solutions available, as well as KuppingerCole Analysts, Forrester, Quadrant Solutions, and ISG, among others. 

Talk to Resellers

PAM resellers are also often trusted sources and recommend the best tools for their customers. Considering that resellers also deal with several customers and can understand better than most the real pains of companies of different sizes and verticals, it is worth questioning them about how to choose a PAM solution that best suits your needs. 

Search on Websites

Some websites may provide interesting information about the PAM solutions available on the market. You can, for example, check reviews on Google or search for posts on information security pages, such as The Hacker News and HelpNetSecurity.

Join Cyber Groups

Finally, it is possible to learn from the experience of others who have hired these solutions. Just join cyber groups on LinkedIn, MeetUp, WhatsApp, Slack, or IRC and ask which PAM solutions have brought the most benefits to users.

Conclusion

In this article, we have shown you the importance of PAM and what you should do to choose a PAM solution that is ideal for your company. Did you like our content? Then share it with someone. 

Accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work has seen a considerable boost in recent years, making many people understand what RPD and SSH are in practice, as they need to apply these protocols in industries.

However, with increased remote access, exposure to cyber threats has also grown, making it even more important to establish a secure connection between users and workstations or endpoints. 

In this sense, one of the main risks is associated with user authentication, which can allow malicious attackers to exploit vulnerable resources and sensitive data within an organization.

Another concern is related to endpoint security, as unprotected RDP endpoints are the primary target of cybercriminals. 

So, by reading this article, you will see what  RPD and SSH are, understand how these protocols work, and how to protect your company from the vulnerabilities created by remote access. 

Our text is divided into the following topics:

1. What Does SSH Mean?
2. How Does SSH Work?
3. What Is SSH Used For?
   1. Benefits of SSH
   2. Best Security Practices for SSH
   3. Cyberattack Cases with SSH Keys
4. What Is RDP, and How Does It Work?
5. What Is RDP Used For?
   1. Benefits of RDP
6. What Is the Difference Between SSH and RDP?
   1. Best Security Practices for RDP
   2. RPD and SSH Vulnerabilities
7. Protecting RDP and SSH in the Cloud
   1. History of SSH
   2. About senhasegura
   3. Conclusion

Enjoy the reading!

What Does SSH Mean?

SSH is the acronym for Secure Shel and consists of a protocol developed to access Linux servers, which can also be used in other operating systems. 

This protocol presents the command line interface normally controlled through the bash and, unlike RPD, it does not have a GUI. 

How Does SSH Work?

SSH relies on the client/server authentication model and replaces traditional credentials with public and private keys, which work respectively as a lock and the key used to access it.

Generally, private SSH keys are stored on systems, while public keys remain on servers. 

SSH provides more security to the authentication process than a username associated with a default password, since it uses 2048-bit encryption on its keys. 

What Is SSH Used For?

SSH is used to remotely access a hosting account and execute commands. With this protocol, one can:

• Start and stop services;
• Run live monitoring log files;
• Install software on the account; and
• Manage MySQL databases, among other activities.

Moreover, SSH allows one to make a standard web-based graphical interface and, as the user learns to use its commands, they can manage their account more quickly.

 

Benefits of SSH

SSH makes it possible to encrypt data, preventing your user information and passwords from being accessed by malicious attackers. Here’s what SSH can protect your company from:

• IP Source Routing by Malicious Agents

Generally, source routing is used for positive purposes, but when it fails, it can be a cybercriminal resource to make one machine think it is communicating with another. 

• Attacks with DNS Counterfeiting

In this type of attack, malicious users enter information into the cache database and a Domain Name System (DNS) name server. In this way, traffic is diverted to another computer, since the name server returns to an incorrect IP address.

With that, those who have access to this computer can get confidential information, which they can use to take advantage of.

• Manipulation of Data in Routers

In this type of action, the hacker obtains or changes data on routers or other intermediaries on the way to its destination. It is common for routers, whose data enters a kind of gateway during the network route.

• Espionage

An organization without a connection allows hackers to view data, collecting sensitive information for a variety of purposes.

• IP Spoofing

A hacker can create packages with IP addresses from fake sources. Thus, they can use a computer that remains with the hidden identity and location, while the receiver believes it is interacting with another IP.

Best Security Practices for SSH

Some practices may improve the security of the SSH service. These are:

• Malicious attackers use port scanning software to detect whether the computer is using the SSH service. However, most port scanners do not analyze high ports. Therefore, we suggest that you change port 22, served by SSH, to a port above 1024.
• The SSH protocol can be used in two versions, but the first one generates security vulnerabilities, opening spaces for insertion attacks and man-in-the-middle attacks. For this reason, it is recommended to use only version 2.
• To avoid cyber threats, do not allow the root user to log in via the SSH protocol. This is because if this user’s account is compromised, the attacker can cause more damage to your system than if they could gain access as an ordinary user.
• Create a custom banner for users who connect through the SSH protocol to view specific messages. These messages can be used to inform the user they are accessing a private SSH service.
• Replace logins and password names with the DSA public key for authentication, as using the public key allows you to protect your IT system from dictionary attacks.
• Use TCP Wrappers to ensure that only specific hosts connect to your SSH service or use your iptables configuration for this purpose.

Cyberattack Cases with SSH Keys

In recent times, many hackers have used SSH machine identity resources to conduct cyberattacks. 

This means that gangs with access to the dark web can make use of the same techniques that brought down Ukraine’s power grid against government sectors.

Thus, they can sell SSH backdoors to Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups associated with certain countries for high figures.

SSH keys can be used by malicious attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical systems and perform various actions, such as:

• Bypassing security controls;
• Inserting fraudulent information;
• Compromising the encryption software; or
• Installing persistent malware.

Most of the time, the malware inserts the cybercriminal’s SSH key among the authorized keys on the victim’s computer, which ensures their permanence on that machine. 

In addition, in other cases, the malware weakened SSH authentication, which enabled access to credentials and host information to move through the network and infect other computers.

Check out some malware campaigns that use the identity of SSH machines:

• TrickBot: Initially used to steal bank account login data, over the years, TrickBot has expanded and become useful for the performance of cybercriminals in various types of corporate environments.

It is a module-based malware, which incorporates network profile features and mass data collections, in addition to allowing lateral movement.

Its capabilities allow one to extract information from compromised computers and steal credentials in browsers, Outlook clients, and Windows.

• CryptoSink: This illicit XMR cryptocurrency mining campaign discovered in 2019 allowed attackers to compromise target systems by exploiting a vulnerability of Elasticsearch systems on Windows and Linux platforms. 

For this, it was necessary to add the public key to the authorized key file on the victim’s computer.

• Worm Linux: This malware attacks Exim email servers on Unix-link systems and delivers them to Monero cryptocurrency miners.

To do this, it enables the SSH server, if it is disabled, and creates a backdoor by adding its SSH public key.

• Skidmap: In this case, the attacker’s public key is added to the authorized key file to give backdoor access to a target computer.

To gain root or administrative access to the system and eliminate crypto mining malware, exploits, internet exposure, or incorrect settings are used. 

In addition to the cases reported so far, between 2015 and 2017, a teenager gained access to Apple’s internal systems and copied data and authentication keys. According to the court, the boy had downloaded 90 GB of files and affected customer accounts, which was denied by Apple.

Also, according to the court, he sent a computer script to the system, creating a secure shell tunnel, which allows access to systems, bypasses firewalls, and removes data faster. 

In this way, it was possible to access internal security policies and save authentication keys. 

According to information from SSH.COM and the inventor of the Secure Shell protocol, Tatu Ylönen, SSH tunnels are widely used in corporate environments, but in combination with the use of stolen SSH keys, they become very difficult-to-track attack vectors.

What Is RDP, and How Does It Work?

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is an old, widespread protocol and therefore the target of constant attacks. 

Used to access Windows virtual machines and physical servers, it does not work on the Linux system and has an interface that makes servers more accessible to users with or without technical training.

Generally, RDP ports need to be connected to the Internet, which generates vulnerabilities because of hacker action. For this reason, administrators must protect their RDP instances. 

What Is RDP Used For?

RDP enables the user to connect to a computer by remote access using Microsoft Terminal Services.

In general, this tool is used by users to access machines outside the environment, where they are installed to perform activities such as configuration and maintenance. 

In addition, RDP is very useful for companies operating via remote work, a service model adopted by many institutions after the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Benefits of RDP

Like  SSH, RDP provides several benefits for those who adopt this protocol. Check out some of them:

• Connection Security

With RDP, you can securely access your files and documents due to the encryption of connections to your remote desktop, which reduces the risk of losing data through malicious attacks and physical theft. 

• Mobility

Another important benefit provided by RDP is the freedom to work from anywhere and at any time. For this, just rely on a computer and internet access. 

• Excellent Value for Money

Using this feature, it is not necessary to purchase licenses for multiple computers, as all can be accessed remotely through a single software. 

What Is the Difference Between SSH and RDP?

These two resources are used for the same purpose: accessing computers and other servers remotely. Moreover, RPD and SSH provide security when accessing cloud-based servers.

Despite their similarities, RPD and SSH differ in some aspects. First, SSH is more secure than RPD, which requires the use of tools to generate more protection, such as a virtual private network (VPN) and multiple-factor authentication (MFA).

This is because it is easier to compromise credentials than key pairs, which does not mean there is no need for appropriate measures to protect private keys.

Another difference is that SSH is technically more complex than RDP. Therefore, many organizations choose the second, especially those that have new IT professionals or smaller teams. 

Best Security Practices for RDP

The RDP protocol provides security in ideal environments, but to avoid problems such as unauthorized sessions and improper access, it is necessary to go beyond its default settings and ensure a higher level of maturity for IT security. 

This is because RDP provides only a baseline for encryption, which does not guarantee complete security for internal and external operations.

Thus, the first security rule to be followed when it comes to RDP is not to leave the service exposed on the Internet for access, being used only on a local network, regardless of the system protection and endpoints. 

Do you want to know how to protect RDP for internal use properly? Start with what is known about its default settings:

• Allowing access to local or domain administrators by enabling RDP on Windows Hosts is not a best practice as it does not comply with the principle of least privilege. In this sense, the ideal is that only default user accounts receive RDP access only for the time necessary to perform a certain task, and this session must be monitored from start to finish through a privilege management tool such as PAM. 
• If the above recommendation is not followed, it is of utmost importance that local domain or machine administrator accounts be named with something difficult to decipher. Otherwise, a malicious attacker might have access to this account. What’s more: we also recommend that RDP as an administrator is not routinely used for remote work demands, but only when its use is indispensable. 
• RDP also requires network-level authentication so that credentials are not sent to a domain controller or remote host without proper encryption. Moreover, it is necessary to use the strongest encryption available so that the key strength is not negotiated through a domain controller. 
• The RDP protocol allows the content to be cut, copied, and pasted from remote systems to connection devices and vice versa by redirecting the clipboard, which can cause vulnerabilities related to system data extraction.
• Another feature offered by RDP servers refers to the redirection of printers to remote access sessions, which may allow the printing of sensitive data and introduce malicious drivers into the IT environment.
• Windows servers allow the user to start multiple RDP sessions, but if they are disconnected, they cannot reconnect to the previous one when starting a new session, generating data and productivity losses. To mitigate this issue, one can restrict access by limiting administrators to one session. This solution also makes it easy to track a malicious RDP.

RDP defaults should be configured in Group Policy Options and applied through Active Directory and the resources used in the domain should be individually established to combat threats. In addition, it is necessary to keep an eye on other risks:

• Vulnerabilities found in RDP versions: IT teams need to be informed about security updates that must be applied to prevent hackers from exploiting the IT environment. 
• For the end user not to become an attack vector, it is extremely important to manage and limit the RDP clients allowed in its environment. The reason for this is that the risk can be extended to the RPD host server if the client has a vulnerability.
• It is of utmost importance to ensure third-party solutions using RDP have the licenses required by Microsoft for the use of this protocol in an environment. This way, one can avoid violating their licensing agreement by compromising their technology. 

RPD and SSH Vulnerabilities

The increase in remote work during the Covid-19 pandemic has created a number of vulnerabilities when it comes to RPD and SSH. This is indicated by a report produced by Edgescan, which compiles data from thousands of security assessments and analyzes known common vulnerability and exposure (CVEs) metrics, malware, ransomware, and services exposed on internal and public-facing systems.

According to the CEO and founder of Edgescan, Eoin Keary, the sixth edition of the report allows investigating underlying data and identifying vulnerabilities used by countries and cyber criminals, pointing out that correction and maintenance are still a challenge.

The report has also shown that more than 65% of the vulnerabilities found by Edgescan systems in 2020 are more than three years old, 32% being from 2015 or earlier, which points to the lack of attention when correcting them.

The most widespread critical risk CVE found was CVE-2018-0598, which allows the attacker to obtain privileges through a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.

According to Edgescan, when analyzing malware-related CVEs, it was possible to notice many are located on systems that are not Internet-oriented, which shows us there is no trend focused on internal vulnerabilities. 

This behavior increases the risk of targeted spear phishing or social engineering attacks, with the risk of ransomware and data theft.

Despite the problems associated with vulnerabilities, the report also showed positive trends. 

One of them is related to the number of systems analyzed with more than 10 CVEs, which fell from 15% in 2019 to 4% in 2020, as a result of system updates and improvements in patch maintenance due to the growth in asset profiling services.

Protecting RDP and SSH in the Cloud

Whether you choose RDP or SSH, you can use a cloud directory service to ensure more security, manage SSH key pairs, or secure RDP ports.

Thus, you can implement multiple-factor authentication in VMs and Windows systems and VPNs through RADIUS.

One capability of the cloud directory service is to manage public SSH key pairs so that end users manage their private key pairs without relying on administrators. 

1. History of SSH

The first computers were the size of a conference room and needed thousands of mechanical parts to run simple commands. Over time, they became smaller, with easy-to-use interactive terminals. 

In the 1960s, mainframes emerged, and in the 1970s and 1980s, network computing became popular and the use of remote access began to enable connection to central computers.

In that period, the connection was secure, since centralized networks were isolated from each other only physically.

In the 1960s, the Telnet protocol began to be used for private control of larger private networks and even for the public Internet. However, Telnet did not provide complete security and lost space for SSH, failing to be installed as default on the Linux system.

Previously, networks used to be isolated in an organization, and devices stayed within a protected physical space. Thus, it was not so risky to share sensitive data – such as passwords – through messages, unlike what happens today with the public Internet.

TCP packets can be intercepted and easily read if not encrypted, which makes them insecure.

In the 1980s, rlogin started to be used to access remote systems with or without passwords and performed better than Telnet, working properly with commands and characters that, in Telnet, needed to be translated.

Despite this, rlogin also presented vulnerabilities, with flaws that were mentioned in a 1998 report by Carnegie Mellon, rlogin: The Untold Story. This solution used plain text communications and allowed for identity fraud.

Designed by Helsinki University of Technology researcher Tatu Ylönen, who would later launch the cybersecurity company SSH Communications Security, the first version of SSH was released in 1995. 

This version, which is now considered outdated, presented several flaws over time and was replaced by SSH-2, which acquired a Standards Track specification by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) in 2006.

Unlike SSH-1, SSH-2 uses a Diffie-Hellman key exchange and integrity check based on message authentication codes used to provide more security. 

Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and Blowfish are among the most commonly used encryption methods by SSH clients and servers.

Although its first version was developed as freeware with free licensing, SH Communications Security Corporation started marketing this solution using alternative forks.

The most well-known fork is OSSH, developed by the programmer Bjoern Groenvall and used for the OpenBSD project.

It consists of a secure and free version of BSD UNIX and the developers improved OSSH to include it in version 2.6 of OpenBSD in 1999. After that, it was adopted for all major versions of Linux and is currently used worldwide in POSIX-compatible operating systems.

SSH-2 has no known vulnerability, but information leaked in 2013 by systems analyst Edward Snowden suggests that the National Security Agency (NSA) may decrypt some SSH traffic.

Some extra settings may provide more security to SSH, but all of them require a restart of the service to work. Check it out:

• Disabling password-based SSH authentication to prevent brute-force password attack attempts;
• Disabling remote login of the root account or using it only when it is necessary to work as root, logging in with a normal account and then directing to the root account;
• Authorizing SSH only for users, enabling and disabling access, when necessary;
• Changing the default SSH port from 22 to another number, avoiding attacks from hackers looking for servers responding on port 22.

More than ten years ago, SSH became standard among remote access protocols, and since then, internet connection has undergone many changes. For low latency and secure connections, SSH is still extremely useful due to its speed and ease of use.

However, when we talk about high-latency environments, such as mobile network connections, this is not the most recommended solution as it generates connection delays. For that, there is another option: Mosh, or Mobile Shell.

This mechanism establishes an initial connection to then synchronize the local session with a remote session through UDP.

Mosh also optimizes UTF-8 support and can be used on operating systems similar to Posix, as well as running on Google Chrome.

1. About senhasegura

We, from senhasegura, are part of the MT4 Tecnologia group, and aim to provide cybersecurity and digital sovereignty to our customers.

Today, we work with institutions from 54 countries, acting against data theft and tracking actions on servers, databases, network administrators, and devices in general. 

With this, we can provide efficiency and productivity to organizations, as we avoid interruptions of their activities by expiration, in addition to ensuring compliance with audit criteria and standards such as PCI DSS, Sarbanes-Oxley, ISO 27001, and HIPAA.

The senhasegura PAM security platform offers centralized access management to protect and control the use of privileged credentials and service accounts, providing secure storage, access segregation, and full usage traceability.

Moreover, senhasegura allows companies to implement the most strict and complex controls on access to privileged credentials in an automated and centralized manner, protecting the IT infrastructure from data breaches and potential compliance breaches.

The Scan Discovery feature of senhasegura surveys the environment and enables the automated registration of devices and their respective credentials in the solution. The scan can be performed across the entire environment, or applied to a specific network segment. It is also possible to define the search plugins to be used, as well as the device types, credentials, SSH keys, and authorized keys that will be identified. Finally, it is also possible to configure specific periods and traffic shape for the scans to avoid DoS in the network.

The solution can also connect to the network device through its standard protocol and a pool of connectivity ports without the need to install a local agent, and with the possibility of adding a pool of credentials for scanning. 

The cases of remote session or password view can respect multilevel approval flows and validation of the explanations provided by the requesting user, and alert them via email or SMS. Responses to requests by the approving user can be made by responding to the email or SMS, in addition to the link included in the message.

One of the main capabilities of senhasegura is the ability to record and store all remote sessions performed through transparent proxies. Session video files have a high compression ratio, allowing you to reduce storage costs and increase performance when generating video files.

The Livestream function allows the Information Security department to track user activities and detect suspicious events in real time, including the possibility to pause or close the user session in a simple and fast way.

Also, an administrator can regain control or even block a remote user session in a number of operating environments or systems. Interactions on Windows can be blocked by Optical Character Recognition (OCR).

All text entries, in addition to logged actions, are indexed along with the video’s session time, allowing one to search for any command. In this way, one can quickly find any command executed during a remote session.

Conclusion

By reading this article, you saw that:

• RDP and SSH are protocols used to protect institutions from risks associated with remote work;
• SSH was developed to access the Linux server, but can be used on other operating system servers;
• This tool relies on the client/server authentication model and replaces traditional credentials with public and private keys;
• SSH is used to remotely access a hosting account and execute commands;
• SSH can protect an organization from: IP source routing by malicious agents, attacks with DNS spoofing, router data manipulation, spying, and IP spoofing; 
• One of the best practices for SSH security is to use the 2nd version of the protocol;
• RDP is a very widespread protocol, for this reason, it is the target of frequent attacks;
• Like SSH, it is a tool used to access machines outside the physical environment of a company;
• Its advantages include: connection security, mobility, and value for money;
• SSH is more secure than RPD, but is also more complex in technical aspects;
• To avoid threats, RDP defaults must be configured in Group Policy Options and applied through Active Directory. It is also important to pay attention to factors such as vulnerabilities, customers, and licensing;
• One can hire a cloud directory service to provide more security to RDP and SSH.

Now that you have checked out our RDP and SSH information, share this text with someone else interested in the subject.

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With the imposition of social distancing caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, most companies began to migrate to remote work, adopting solutions such as cloud computing.

According to Forrester, more than 50% of IT leaders have revealed the need to adapt to this reality, while Gartner pointed to an even higher percentage of 70%.

In practice, cloud environments have several benefits, such as agility, scalability, and better disaster recovery strategies.

Nevertheless, ensuring digital security in remote access requires the adoption of protection models based on Zero Trust, as well as investment and implementation of the principle of least privilege through Privileged Access Management (PAM).

By reading the next topics, you will learn more about PAM tools and our senhasegura Domum solution. Keep reading it!

PAM: What is It and Why is It Important?

Privileged Access Management (PAM) is a digital security solution that allows one to control access, avoiding damage caused by external attacks and insider threats.

Considered by experts as one of the most important cybersecurity technologies on the market, this tool makes it possible to apply the principle of least privilege in IT environments, providing users only the necessary access to perform their activities.

senhasegura Domum: Zero Trust Access, No VPN Required for Users and Third Parties

Mass migration to remote work and third-party access to devices and systems require a specific solution to ensure information security.

For this reason, we created senhasegura Domum for secure remote access based on Zero Trust. This solution eliminates the need for VPN and additional licenses and is easy to use, which contributes to reducing costs with implementation and training.

Domum allows one to define devices, setting a duration time or stipulating specific days and times for access. It also makes it possible to limit the connection by geographic region.

Moreover, it guarantees privileged access without the need to create a login and password in the solution, only for authorized devices.

Finally, Domum is the best alternative for companies that need to adapt to audit criteria. This tool allows:

• Monitoring of actions performed in real-time;
• Session recording;
• Threat and user behavior analysis;
• Blocking or closing the remote session in case of suspicious behavior.

Invest in our senhasegura Domum solution and avoid damages caused by invasions and data leaks. Contact us and learn more. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought the need for many companies to join remote work with it. The mass adoption of this modality resulted in a significant increase in cyberattacks on IT business structures through breaches in the security of remote accesses.

The malicious action of these attacks impacts businesses of all industries and sizes, whether interfering with the operation of companies, damaging their image, stealing or leaking sensitive data.

With this in mind, we will show you 5 important security measures you can take to protect remote access:

 

Use VPNs

Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a great way to increase security in remote access, especially if you are using public networks or unsecured connections. 

The VPN’s role is to encrypt all your Internet traffic, creating a secure end-to-end tunnel between your device and the company’s, preventing Internet providers, government agencies, or cyber criminals from tracking your activities. 

However, its use can significantly impact the speed of the Internet, mainly affecting tasks that consume greater bandwidth, such as video calls. Look for reliable VPN services that offer good speed and stability.

Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a feature that allows you to add a layer of security by combining different mechanisms for user authentication, ensuring data protection that could otherwise be accessed by malicious agents or inexperienced users, which avoids financial and image disruptions and losses for the company.

Apply the Principle of Least Privilege

The Principle of Least Privilege is a way to keep a company’s confidential data secure. The application of this principle grants the user access only to the environments necessary for the performance of their job, without unnecessary permissions, thus avoiding insider threats, data theft, and unauthorized access of malicious agents to the sensitive data of a company. 

Implement Zero Trust-based Policies

The Zero Trust model is a security framework that works, as its name implies, based on the idea of “never trust, always verify”, removing implicit trust and continuously requiring authentication of the user and their device on the network. 

The continuous Zero Trust verification is an essential security factor to protect remote cloud-based access. 

Install the Latest Updates on Devices and Network Assets 

Thinking about the frequent and annoying notifications that come up requesting system updates seems silly, right? Wrong.

Software and applications you use on your devices may be vulnerable right now. Messengers, browsers and the operating system itself may expose you to cyber risks. This is because regular updates work to fix possible security flaws and instabilities. And the best part is that now it is possible to schedule most updates to take place outside the time when the device is being used, or even in the background, automatically, causing little or no interruption in your tasks.

 

Share our content!

In this article, you found out what security measures to take to keep remote access secure from cyberattacks. If you liked our content, share it with someone who might be interested in the topic. 

According to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) report published at the end of 2021, about 4.9 billion people used the Internet that year. This represents a jump of 800 million more people than before the pandemic.

This means that every day, an immeasurable amount of data is made available on the web, including sensitive information such as names, addresses, document numbers, and bank details.

Therefore, malicious agents have a large space to act, breaking into websites and stealing passwords and financial information, among other data that may be useful for their criminal practices.

Key ways to hack into a website include:

• Software vulnerability or poor server or network configuration;
• Vulnerability of the website itself;
• Weak passwords;
• Attacks on those responsible for the websites.

One of the ways to protect your website is by deploying SSL certificates. They protect the communication between the server and the user. In addition, they are required for websites that receive payments and allow their customers to feel secure knowing who they are interacting with.

For these reasons, we prepared special content about SSL certificates, explaining their concept, importance, and operation, among other information. To facilitate your reading, we divided our text into topics. They are:

1. What Are SSL Certificates
2. What Is The Importance of SSL Certificates
3. Types of SSL Certificates
4. Subdomains
5. How They Work
6. How to Tell if a Website Has the Certificate
7. How to Install SSL Certificate on a Website
8. Are SSL Certificates Enough to Ensure the Security of a Website?
9. What Are SSL and TLS
10. What Are the Differences Between SSL and TLS
11. Best Practices for the Security of Your Website
12. History of SSL Certificates
13. Digital Certificates: Learn about Their Characteristics
14. Digital Certificates in the World
15. Different Uses of Digital Certificates
16. About senhasegura
17. Conclusion

    Follow our text to the end!

What Are SSL Certificates

SSL certificates consist of data files hosted on a source server of a website, which make it more secure as they move from HTTP to HTTPS.

Their function is to authenticate the identity of the website and allow the encryption of the connection, as they contain the identity of the website and the public key, plus other information.

Therefore, when establishing communication between a device and the source server, SSL certificates are used to give access to the public key and confirm the identity of that server. Meanwhile, the private key remains secret.

What Is The Importance of SSL Certificates

Using SSL certificates provides several benefits, such as:

Data Protection
Their main purpose is to protect communication between the client and the server. For this reason, all bits of information are encrypted with the installation of SSL certificates. In practice, this information is blocked so that only the browser or server has the key to unlock it. With this, SSL technology allows the administration of sensitive data such as passwords, credit card numbers, and IDs without causing vulnerabilities when there are malicious agents.

They Enable Identity Verification
SSL certificates also make it possible to perform identity verification, providing security for those who use the Internet. This is because the digital environment is a fertile space for many types of scams, but this tool allows people to confirm who they are talking to before passing their data to fake websites.

When installing an SSL certificate, the user goes through a process called Validation Authority, which can validate their identity and their company’s, in addition to allowing them to receive reliable indicators.

It works like a verified Twitter account, but this is done on your website so that no cybercriminals create another one pretending to be yours, a practice known as spoofing.

They Are Critical to Receiving Payouts
If you have a business and receive payments through your website, you need to invest in SSL certificates. This is because they are among the 12 criteria required by the payment card industry (PCI). In other words, it is a fundamental resource for their transitions.

They Contribute to Optimizing Website Ranking in Search Engines
When you enable your website for HTTPS, it achieves higher rankings in search engines like Google, which since 2014 has favored this type of website. That’s what SEO experts around the world say, based on studies like the one by Brian Dean, founder of Backlinko.com.

Nowadays, when customers carry out most of their research on the Internet, this represents a great competitive advantage.

Detailed Traffic Data
If your website does not use HTTPs, you are missing information about the visits it receives. This is because when a secure browsing website uses referral links to an unsecured website, it appears as direct access, since HTTP websites do not receive referral data from HTTPS websites.

On the other hand, if you invest in SSL certificates, you will have access to your website’s traffic data in detail, regardless of its source.

SSL Certificates Favor Client Confidence
SSL certificates are important to ensure client confidence. This is because they let you know your data is protected. In addition, by installing an OV or EV SSL, it is possible to show your company in detail, ensuring it is a legitimate organization and enabling your business.

Free Installation
Supported by companies such as Facebook, Cisco, and Mozilla, a movement called Let’s Encrypt has democratized the use of SSL certificates, promoting their free and integrated installation to the control panel, even in the case of shared hosting.

Today, this solution is affordable. Even WordPress users can activate it through a special plan and generate more results for their business.

Types of SSL Certificates

There are three types of SSL certificates. They are: Extended Validation SSL (EV SSL), Organization Validation (OV SSL), and Domain Validation (DV SSL). Below, we explain each one in detail:

• Extended Validation SSL Certificate (EV SSL)
  The Extended Validation SSL Certificate (SSL EV) allows the Certificate Authority to verify the applicant can use the chosen domain name, in addition to performing a company verification.

  To issue an Extended Validation SSL Certificate (SSL EV), it is necessary to contemplate the EV standards approved in 2007 by the CA/Browser Forum, going through the following stages:

• Confirmation of the operational, physical, and legal existence of the organization;
• Validation of the official records of the entity;
• Verify if it has an exclusive right to use the chosen domain; and
• Confirm there is an adequate authorization for the issuance of the EV SSL certificate.

  All types of organizations can benefit from EV SSL, but must comply with EV audit guidelines and undergo audits every year.

Organization Validation Certificates (OV SSL)
In this type of certificate, it is also checked whether the applicant can use a certain domain name, in addition to the institution’s validations. One of its greatest advantages is the trust provided to the user, since by clicking on the seal of the Secure Website, customers receive information, which increases their visibility about who is behind the website.

Domain Validation Certificates (DV SSL)
Another case in which CA verifies whether the applicant can use a given domain name. However, here, data related to the company’s identity is not validated and displayed, only encryption.

In this way, the user knows their data is encrypted, but cannot know who receives this information. The great advantage of this type of certificate is its almost immediate issuance, without sending the entity’s documentation. In addition, DV SSL still has an affordable cost.

Subdomains

Another way to differentiate SSL certificates is by taking into account the number of subdomains they have. Thus, they are divided into three: single-domain SSL, multi-domain SSL, and wildcard SSL. Check out their characteristics below:

Single-Domain SSL
As its name suggests, this SSL provides certificates for a single domain. When the entity needs other certificates, it needs to re-hire the service, which makes the domain types below more advantageous options.

Multi-domain SSL
One can use these SSL certificates in all categories (SSL EV, SSL OV, and SSL DV) and validate more than one domain with the same certificate. However, this service is limited, so we recommend you review the number of domains and subdomains covered by the certificate before opting for multi-domain SSL.

Wildcard SSL
Perfect for websites that need encryption security and have many domains, as it covers an unlimited number of domains. It includes VD SSL and OD SSL domain certificates.

How Do They Work?

When you enter sensitive data on a website that has SSL certificates, it is automatically encrypted and accessed only by the applicant.

With the protection of the encryption key, if there is a hacker attack and your information is intercepted, the malicious agent will not be able to view your data.

What’s more: SSL certificates also have the function of assuring the user they are accessing a legitimate website and not a page used for scams.

Through the lock symbol next to the URL, you can feel secure accessing a website and performing operations within it, which is positive for those who use your page for business.

How to Tell if a Website Has the Certificate

Websites that have SSL certificates display the symbol of a lock on the browser bar before HTTPS, as mentioned in the previous topic. This detail points out that entering your data on the website is a secure procedure, without risks related to hackers.

In this sense, all pages must have SSL certificates, especially those where credit card or username and password data are entered. Therefore, it is essential to verify that the HTTPS actually appears in the address.

Another important purpose of SSL certificates is to ensure the legitimacy of the website, providing security to its users.

How to Tell if a Website Has the Certificate

Websites that have SSL certificates display the symbol of a lock on the browser bar before HTTPS, as mentioned in the previous topic. This detail points out that entering your data on the website is a secure procedure, without risks related to hackers.

In this sense, all pages must have SSL certificates, especially those where credit card or username and password data are entered. Therefore, it is essential to verify that the HTTPS actually appears in the address.

Another important purpose of SSL certificates is to ensure the legitimacy of the website, providing security to its users.

How to Install SSL Certificate on a Websit

To obtain an SSL certificate, you will need a Certificate Authority (CA), which consists of a trusted organization capable of signing the certificate with its keys, certifying its validity. This service may be charged, but there are also free alternatives.

Then, your certificate must be installed on the website’s server, which can be facilitated with a quality host and a provider that takes responsibility for this task.

Once you have enabled the SSL certificate, you will be able to load your website over HTTPS and secure its encryption.

Are SSL Certificates Enough to Ensure the Security of a Website?

Information propagated around SSL certificates suggests that their implementation would be enough to ensure the security of a website. This is because when you adhere to this solution, the lock icon appears next to the URL, suggesting protection.

However, despite effective, SSL certificates are not enough to combat the action of cybercriminals, since the interception of the information exchanged between the user and the website is not their only means of action.

Moreover, if SSL deployment does not occur properly, not everything on the website will be protected by encryption. In these cases, the browser will still indicate a protected connection, which can generate a false sense of security.

Other exploits that can make the exchange of information risky include Scripting between websites, MIME mismatches, and Clickjacking.

These practices are widely used by malicious agents to obtain information exchanged between websites and users.

What Are SSL and TLS?

Transport Layer Security (TLS) is an encrypted protocol that provides security when navigating HTTP pages, accessing an email (SMTP), or transferring data in some other way.

The Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Protocol came later and also guarantees security for website access. Through this feature, one can encrypt sensitive data so that it is not used by malicious actors.

TLS, in turn, represents a more current and efficient version of SSL, used to configure emails and provide security in information exchanges.

What Are the Differences Between SSL and TLS?

TLS works on different ports and uses more efficient encryption algorithms, including the Keyed ? Hashing for Message Authentication Code (HMAC), while the algorithm used by SSL is the Message Authentication Code (MAC).

These features provide protection in Internet communication protocols (TCP/IP), making it possible to view HTTP and HTTPS terminations.

In the case of HTTP, data travels freely, while HTTPS allows you to encrypt the data through SSL/TLS. To do this, the user needs to set up a secure connection.

Best Practices for the Security of Your Website

In addition to the implementation of SSL certificates, other practices are required to ensure the security of your website. Among them, we can highlight:

Employee Training and Awareness
Information security should be a constant concern in your company, so in addition to investing in technology, it is extremely important to make your employees aware of the risks involved in online interactions and train them to deal with these threats.

Use Plugins Focused on the Security of Your Website
One of the great advantages of using WordPress is the availability of plugins specifically designed to ensure the security of your website. Among the options, we highlight: VaultPress, WordFence, Sucuri, and Defender.

Choose a Good Host
Check the host options available in the market and choose the one that addresses all the demands of your company, including the security of your website users and your business strategy.

History of SSL Certificates
In 1990, the HTTP protocol emerged as a form of communication and became indispensable because of its practicality. However, this protocol did not provide protection for connections and for people who needed to enter their data on web pages.

Three years later, they tried to make this interaction more secure through the S-HTTP protocol, without great success.
The following year, Netscape produced the first version of SSL in order to provide security in communication between servers and clients that took place on the Internet.

Due to its numerous flaws, this version was never officially released, but in 1995, it would be replaced by a second version and, in 1996, by a third improved version.

In 1999, TLS 1.0, an upgrade of SSL V3, emerged, with little difference. Seven years later, in 2006, it was time to release TLS 1.1, which was already very different from its first version.

The changes that came in 2008 with TLS 1.2 were even more pronounced, and made it impossible to downgrade to versions before SSL V3.

In 2015, an outline of what TLS 1.3 would be, designed from the version that preceded it, began.

Digital Certificates: Learn about Their Characteristics

The provisional measure 2020-1 of 2001 enabled the creation of the Brazilian Public Key Infrastructure (ICP Brazil), which operates through the National Institute of Information Technology, an agency linked to the Civil House of the Presidency of the Republic.

From then on, it became possible to issue digital certificates, electronic documents that provide legal validity to operations carried out remotely.

In Brazil, the public key infrastructure is used, which we also call a single-root certificate. In practice, the management committee of ICP-Brasil approves technical and operational standards that must be performed by each Root Certificate Authority.

There are also Certificate Authority (CA) in Brazil, which consist of institutions that issue, distribute, renew, revoke, and manage digital certificates. Another purpose of these entities is to make sure the user has the private key corresponding to the public one, through a process called asymmetric encryption.

It works like this: each person or entity holding a digital certificate has access to two codes: a private certificate, which must be kept confidential, and a public certificate, which can be shared.

This means that whenever a document is encoded with the public key, it can only be decoded using the private key.
Another body associated with the Certificate Units is the Registration Authority (RA), which facilitates the interaction between the Certificate Units and the users, and the Time Certificate Authority, responsible for verifying the timing of the interaction and carrying out legal validation.

Several types of digital certificates differ according to the level of security they provide and their applications. These are:

Type A Certificate: This is a digital certificate used to sign any type of document. It is widely used by self-employed professionals, private organizations, and public agencies that need to save time and financial resources, with quick validations for several documents.

Type S Certificate: It consists of a certificate whose decoding can only be performed by those who have authorization. Therefore, if you work with sensitive documents, which include data such as monetary values and personal information, this is your best alternative.

Type T Certificate: This certificate must be used with the other models. This is because it records the date and time of digital transactions, ensuring this information remains in the files without changing.

Type A, S, or T1 Security: All certificates are secure, but type 1 is the one that provides the least security. This certificate is accessible due to the way keys are generated, with a process done by a program on the computer. It is valid for one year, as it can be accessed using a username and password.

Type A, S, or T3 Security: Type 3 digital certificates are generated and stored in a token or smart card. Therefore, only authorized people can access them, making the operation more secure and with a longer expiration time: three years.

Type A, S, or T4 Security: Here we are talking about ICP-Brasil’s most secure digital certificate model. Your private key is generated and stored within the Encryption Security Module and only allows copying to HSM. It is an inviolable model, which erases data if an invasion occurs. So, it is also known as a digital vault.

Digital certificates are increasingly useful for companies and manage a large number of files and sensitive data. After all, they allow files to be sent over the Internet without being misplaced or corrupted.

In addition, since 2018, there is the NF-e 4.0 version, which makes it possible to issue tax documents without using paper. However, those who want to adopt this electronic model to issue tax receipts need to rely on a digital certificate, because it enables the interaction between the servers of the Federal Revenue Service and the computers of the organization.

Digital Certificates in the World

Digital certificates are not a mechanism used only in Brazil. Other nations have also adhered to this resource in their daily lives.

To begin with, the National Identification Document (DIN), which is being implemented in Brazil, is similar to the models used by other countries, in order to bring agility, ease, and security to citizens.

In DIN, the user identification data is gathered in a chipped device, where professional documents and digital certificates can also be included.

Among the countries that have already joined the electronic signature to authenticate documents, the following stand out:

• The United States;
• Mexico;
• Indonesia;
• China;
• Turkey;
• Switzerland; and
• Member states of the European Union.

With the mandatory digital identification system for all citizens, Estonia is an example of the efficiency of digital certificates to reduce bureaucracy. There, the process of selling and transferring a vehicle is completed in 15 minutes.

In addition, Estonians can use the same documentation for healthcare, access to bank accounts, distance voting, and identification when traveling in the European Union.

In Spain, people have a single document called DNI, which is integrated into the digital certificate and groups user information.

This documentation includes data on biometrics and can be used to drive a vehicle, travel, and report income tax via the Internet.

Currently, regulations related to digital identification are not shared between countries and each nation has its own mechanisms, security practices, and an ICP of its own.

However, with the need to sign documents online, international agreements may soon be made to allow the use of certificates beyond this barrier.

Different Uses of Digital Certificates

Here’s how the different types of digital certificates are used:
As we have already mZentioned in this article, digital certificates are used by websites, providing trust and security to their users.

Another widely used mode is in emails, to identify users, or to enable the digital signature of documents.
They are also used in credit and debit cards via chips that connect banks to commercial establishments in order to enable secure banking transactions.

They are also useful to digital payment companies that need to authenticate kiosks, ATMs, and vending equipment through their data center.

To counter cyber threats and protect intellectual property, a large number of organizations are inserting digital certificates into the IoT devices they operate.

People who develop computer programs also use digital certificates to prevent device cloning and theft of broadband services.

About senhasegura

Senhasegura is part of the MT4 Tecnologia group, which was founded in 2001, focusing on information security.
Present in 54 countries, the company aims to provide cybersecurity to its clients, who now have control over actions and privileged data.

With this, organizations can avoid disruptions related to the performance of malicious actors and information leaks.
The work of senhasegura assumes that digital sovereignty is a right of all and that applied technology is the only way to achieve this goal.

Therefore, it follows the life cycle of privileged access management, before, during, and after access, relying on machine automation, since managing privileged access manually is not enough. Among its commitments, the following stand out:

• Provide more efficiency and productivity to companies, while avoiding interruptions due to expiration;
• Perform automatic audits on the use of privileges;
• Automatically audit privileged changes to detect abuses;
• Ensure client satisfaction through successful deployments;
• Provide advanced PAM capabilities;
• Reduce risks quickly;
• Bring companies into compliance with audit criteria and standards such as PCI DSS, Sarbanes-Oxley, ISO 27001, and HIPAA.

Conclusion

By reading this article, you saw that:

• SSL certificates are data files hosted on the source server of a website, which make it more secure by allowing them to move from HTTP to HTTPS;
• Their main function is to provide security to the communication between the client and the server;
• Their technology makes it possible to manage sensitive data such as passwords, credit card numbers, and IDs without causing vulnerabilities;
• SSL certificates make it possible to perform identity validation, as with Twitter accounts, but on websites;
• They are essential to receive payments through a website;
• When you enable your website for HTTPS, it achieves higher rankings in search engines like Google;
• Whoever invests in SSL certificates has access to detailed data about their website visits, regardless of their origin;
• SSL certificates ensure the legitimacy of your company, leaving your customers assured that their data is protected;
• One can install an SSL certificate for free;
• There are three types of certificates: Extended Validation SSL Certificate (EV SSL), Organization Validation Certificates (OV SSL), and Domain Validation Certificates (DV SSL);
• They can also be classified according to the number of subdomains they present, such as single-domain SSL, multi-domain SSL, and wildcard SSL;
• Websites that have SSL certificates can be identified by the lock symbol, which is in the browser bar, before https;
• To install this feature on a website, you must have a certification authority (CA);
• Although effective, SSL certificates are not enough to combat the action of malicious agents;
• SSL and TLS provide protection in Internet communication protocols (TCP/IP);
• You have also learned about best practices for your website security and the history of SSL certificates.
• Another topic shared in this article was the creation of ICP Brasil, which allows issuing digital certificates, providing legal validity to operations carried out remotely.
• There are different types of digital certificates, which can be used for the most diverse purposes.

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