ChienSEC

If a hacker successfully compromises a remote access service such as SSH or RDP, they gain the same privileges as a legitimate local user. At that point, they can:

• Execute arbitrary commands

• Install malware or backdoors

• Steal or destroy data

• Pivot deeper into the network

So, the safest strategy is to eliminate the attack surface entirely.

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1. Do not run any remote access services unless absolutely necessary

If SSH, RDP, Telnet, VNC, or similar services are not running, there is no listening port for an attacker to connect to.

No port → no session → no remote compromise.

This is the strongest possible defense.

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2. If remote access is required, restrict it to internal only IP ranges

Only expose these services on a private network segment (LAN/VLAN/VPN).

This ensures:

• No external attacker can even reach the service

• Only devices physically or logically inside your network can attempt authentication

• Internet based scanning and brute force attacks are eliminated

 

3. Use an IP based whitelist to block all unknown sources

With IPv6 static addresses, IP based identity becomes stable and predictable.

A whitelist allows only approved IPs to reach the system, blocking:

• Hackers

• Bots

• Scanners

• DDoS sources

• Spoofed packets (IPv6 makes spoofing extremely difficult)

Only trusted IPs get in; everything else is dropped.

 

When you apply all three rules together, you get a system that is:

• Invisible to the internet

• Unreachable by attackers

• Unauthenticatable by unknown devices