Ultimate Guide to RDP Shield: Protect Your Remote Desktop in 2026

How RDP Shield stops brute-force attacks — Features & Setup

Key protection features

• Failed-attempt tracking: monitors Windows RDP login failures and records source IPs.
• Automatic IP banning (jail): blocks IPs that exceed a configurable failed-attempt threshold for a configurable time.
• Persistent logging/database: stores bans and events (e.g., Jail.db / logs) so blocks persist across restarts.
• Service-based runtime: runs as a Windows service to provide continuous ⁄₇ protection.
• Simple configuration: settings available in a JSON/config file or installer scripts (threshold, block duration, monitored ports).
• Installation scripts & service manager: includes Install/Start/Stop/Uninstall scripts and uses NSSM or similar to run as a service.
• Lightweight footprint: minimal dependencies (.NET/runtime) and low resource use.

How it works (flow)

1. Monitor Windows Security event log (and/or network/traffic) for failed RDP logins.
2. Map failed-login events to a source IP.
3. Increment a counter for that IP; when the counter exceeds the configured threshold within the time window, add the IP to the block list (“jail”).
4. Enforce block (Windows firewall rule or drop connections) for the configured ban duration; log the action.
5. Optionally persist the ban and logs to local DB so bans survive restarts.

Basic setup (assumes default Windows server)

1. Download the RdpShield package or installer (run as Administrator).
2. Run the installer; it copies files to C:\Program Files\RdpShield and runs Install.bat.
3. Edit appsettings.json (or config file) to set:
   • maxFailedAttempts (e.g., 5)
   • timeWindowMinutes (e.g., 5)
   • banDurationMinutes (e.g., 60 or permanent)
   • portsToMonitor (RDP default 3389 or custom port)
4. Start the service (Start.bat or via Services.msc).
5. Verify operation by checking logs (logs.txt, Jail-log.db) and ensuring banned IPs appear in the database and are blocked.

Deployment tips (practical hardening)

• Use a low failed-attempt threshold (3–5) and progressive ban durations.
• Restrict RDP to known IPs in firewall where possible (whitelist trusted ranges).
• Combine with VPN or MFA for stronger protection.
• Regularly review logs and unblock legitimate admins if needed.
• Keep the tool and Windows updated; verify compatibility with your Windows version.

If you want, I can produce a ready-to-use appsettings.json example and Install/Start command list tailored to Windows Server 2019.