In today’s digital-first world, remote access has become the foundation of modern IT management, allowing businesses and individuals to work efficiently from anywhere. However, this convenience also brings substantial security challenges—especially when using Admin RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) servers. Admin RDP offers full system control, making it a high-value target for hackers seeking to exploit vulnerabilities, steal credentials, or deploy malware.
To counter these risks, implementing robust firewalls and antivirus tools is essential. In this article, we’ll explore the top solutions for securing your Admin RDP environment, along with practical security tips and how 99RDP helps protect users with advanced security configurations.
Why Firewalls and Antivirus Tools Are Essential for Admin RDP
Admin RDP provides administrative-level access to a remote server, enabling you to install software, manage configurations, and oversee performance. However, because of this unrestricted access, it’s also one of the most targeted services for:
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Brute-force attacks: Hackers attempt to guess admin passwords.
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Ransomware and trojans: Malicious software can encrypt or steal sensitive data.
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Unauthorized access: Weak security settings can lead to hijacked servers.
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DDoS attacks: Attackers may overload your RDP with excessive requests.
This is where firewalls and antivirus tools play a critical role. A firewall filters incoming and outgoing traffic, allowing only trusted connections, while antivirus software detects, quarantines, and removes malicious threats before they can harm your RDP environment.
Top Firewalls for Admin RDP Protection
1. Windows Defender Firewall (Built-in and Effective)
Windows Defender Firewall comes pre-installed with Windows Server and offers solid baseline protection for Admin RDP. It allows you to create inbound and outbound rules to control traffic flow, block suspicious IPs, and prevent unauthorized access.
Key Features:
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Integrated with Windows Security Center.
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Customizable port and IP-based filtering.
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Supports RDP port blocking and IP whitelisting.
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Easy to configure via PowerShell or GUI.
Why It’s Great for Admin RDP:
It’s lightweight, requires no third-party installation, and is ideal for basic RDP protection—especially for users who manage multiple Admin RDP servers like those offered by 99RDP.
2. Sophos XG Firewall
Sophos XG Firewall is a next-generation solution that combines deep packet inspection, AI-driven threat detection, and advanced access control. It’s an excellent choice for businesses that require enterprise-grade protection.
Key Features:
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Advanced RDP-specific intrusion prevention.
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AI-based malware and ransomware detection.
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Real-time threat intelligence updates.
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Application visibility and traffic shaping.
Why It’s Great for Admin RDP:
Sophos can detect unusual login patterns, brute-force attempts, and suspicious file transfers across RDP sessions, keeping your servers safe from evolving threats.
3. Fortinet FortiGate Firewall
FortiGate is one of the most respected names in network security, offering hardware and virtual firewalls with deep security controls. It’s particularly useful for enterprises managing multiple RDP sessions.
Key Features:
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Integrated VPN and SSL inspection.
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Deep-packet inspection to identify RDP exploits.
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Automated threat response.
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Web filtering and sandboxing for malware detection.
Why It’s Great for Admin RDP:
FortiGate provides strong endpoint-to-endpoint encryption and policy-based access control—perfect for remote workers or IT teams accessing Admin RDP from multiple regions.
4. pfSense
pfSense is an open-source firewall widely praised for its flexibility and advanced networking capabilities. It’s suitable for users who want total control over their firewall configuration without the cost of commercial licenses.
Key Features:
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Geo-blocking and IP reputation filtering.
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VPN integration for secure RDP tunnels.
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Custom rule sets for port protection.
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Traffic logging and intrusion detection.
Why It’s Great for Admin RDP:
pfSense can help block unauthorized RDP attempts from high-risk IP ranges and allows administrators to monitor all connection logs in real time.
5. Bitdefender GravityZone Security for Virtual Environments
Bitdefender’s enterprise firewall solution is part of its GravityZone suite, designed specifically for cloud and virtual environments.
Key Features:
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Endpoint and network-level protection.
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Real-time RDP session scanning.
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Behavioral threat analysis.
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Centralized management dashboard.
Why It’s Great for Admin RDP:
Bitdefender provides both a robust antivirus and an integrated firewall, protecting your Admin RDP environment from all angles—network, system, and file-level.
Top Antivirus Tools for Admin RDP Protection
1. Kaspersky Endpoint Security
Kaspersky remains a leading antivirus provider, offering exceptional real-time protection and malware detection accuracy.
Key Features:
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Exploit prevention for RDP sessions.
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Behavioral monitoring for suspicious activities.
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Ransomware rollback features.
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Centralized cloud management console.
Why It’s Great for Admin RDP:
Its advanced exploit protection specifically targets remote desktop vulnerabilities, making it a must-have for Admin RDP setups.
2. Bitdefender Endpoint Security
Bitdefender offers an advanced heuristic scanning engine and minimal performance impact, perfect for RDP users who require continuous uptime.
Key Features:
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Multi-layer ransomware protection.
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Machine learning-based threat detection.
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Network attack defense.
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Sandbox analyzer for unknown files.
Why It’s Great for Admin RDP:
Bitdefender is optimized for virtualization and remote systems—ensuring your RDP sessions remain protected without slowing performance.
3. ESET Endpoint Security
ESET combines strong antivirus capabilities with network protection tools to secure remote connections and server operations.
Key Features:
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Advanced memory scanning and exploit blocker.
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RDP brute-force detection and prevention.
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Low resource usage on servers.
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Remote management console.
Why It’s Great for Admin RDP:
ESET is lightweight and offers excellent compatibility with Windows Server environments, which is why many 99RDP clients use it for continuous protection.
4. Avast Business Antivirus
Avast’s business-grade solution delivers reliable malware protection and network security tools, tailored for enterprises and remote work setups.
Key Features:
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File shield and behavior shield protection.
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Built-in firewall and email protection.
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Real-time protection for RDP and VPN connections.
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Central management via the Avast Business Hub.
Why It’s Great for Admin RDP:
It provides a comprehensive suite with both antivirus and firewall in one, ensuring all aspects of your RDP connection are secured.
5. Malwarebytes Endpoint Protection
Malwarebytes focuses on threat detection and remediation for advanced malware, including trojans and ransomware.
Key Features:
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Anti-exploit protection for RDP processes.
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Real-time malware and ransomware defense.
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Centralized management console.
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Behavior-based detection engine.
Why It’s Great for Admin RDP:
It’s especially effective against RDP-based ransomware attacks and complements other antivirus solutions for layered security.
Best Practices for Strengthening Admin RDP Security
Even the best firewall or antivirus can’t guarantee security without proper configuration. Follow these best practices to maximize protection:
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Change Default RDP Port: Use a non-standard port instead of 3389 to reduce automated attack attempts.
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Enable Network Level Authentication (NLA): It adds a security layer by verifying users before a full RDP session is established.
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Use Strong Passwords and MFA: Combine complex passwords with multi-factor authentication for stronger protection.
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Restrict IP Access: Allow RDP connections only from trusted IP addresses using firewall rules.
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Keep Systems Updated: Regularly patch your Windows Server and RDP client software.
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Monitor Logs: Regularly check for unauthorized login attempts or anomalies.
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Backup Regularly: Always have recent backups in case of ransomware or data loss.
If you’re looking for secure and performance-optimized Admin RDP servers with pre-configured protection tools, 99RDP offers a wide range of options to meet your business needs.
How 99RDP Enhances Your Admin RDP Security
At 99RDP, security isn’t an afterthought—it’s a priority. Each Admin RDP plan comes with:
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Pre-installed firewall and antivirus protection
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Brute-force protection and IP banning systems
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Automatic patch management and updates
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Encrypted connections and optional VPN integration
Whether you’re an IT administrator, developer, or business owner, 99RDP ensures your Admin RDP stays safe, stable, and fast—all while maintaining full administrative control.
Conclusion
Securing your Admin RDP is not just about installing an antivirus or enabling a firewall—it’s about creating a multi-layered defense system that protects every part of your remote environment. The tools listed above—ranging from Sophos and Fortinet to Bitdefender and Kaspersky—offer powerful protection against cyber threats targeting RDP servers.
When paired with the best-in-class Admin RDP services from 99RDP, you get both high performance and maximum security—ensuring your remote management experience remains seamless and worry-free.

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