Security providers

The Security Provider allows for encrypting the data source content. To access the security provider, navigate to Administration – Security Provider.

This feature requires an Advanced Data Source.

Regardless of the selected security provider, passwords stored in data sources are ALWAYS encrypted using AES 256 bit encryption.

When configuring a Certificate Security Provider in a published app environment (Citrix, RemoteApp, XenApp) as a Security Provider, the user who will run Remote Desktop Manager in the RemoteApp environment (Citrix) will require a Read permission on the certificate.

If the Read permission is not correctly set, Remote Desktop Manager will generate the CryptographicException - Keyset does not exist error dialog. Follow Certificate Security Provider in a Published app Environment to resolve the issue.

By using a security provider, you ensure that nobody can read entries configuration data, even when people have a direct access to the database(s) or a backup. Shared data sources should always be secured with a security provider.

Prior to applying a new or changing an existing security provider, make sure that every users are disconnected from the data source. If you are changing an existing Shared Passphrase or Certificate, please note that users will get back access to the data source when they enter the new Shared Passphrase or Certificate on their computer.

Settings

Please note that changing a security provider on a data source with a great number of entries is a lengthy operation.

Applying a new security provider does process the whole database, therefore we advise you to create a backup prior to this operation.

  1. Click on Change Security Settings to change the security provider.
    Security Provider
    Security Provider
  2. Select a security type from the drop-down list.
    Security Type
    Security Type

| OPTION | DESCRIPTION |----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Default | This is the default security mode. The XML is not encrypted by default. Please note that the passwords are always encrypted. | | Shared passphrase| Set up a shared passphrase for the Security Provider. | | Certificate | Set up a Certificate for the Security Provider. |

Shared Passphrase

If the passphrase is lost, nothing that can be done to recover the data. When using a passphrase, always copy it to a secure location.

Security Provider - Shared Passphrase
Security Provider - Shared Passphrase

Entries configuration data is encrypted using a mix of a key stored in Remote Desktop Manager and the passphrase you have entered.

The passphrase is required only when configuring the data source. A policy can be enabled to always prompt for the passphrase when connecting to the data source.

When configuring a security provider with a shared passphrase, you have the choice of whether or not you wish to save it in the registry. Remote Desktop Manager will try first to save it on the LOCAL_MACHINE, if unable it will save it in the CURRENT_USER instead.

  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\RemoteDesktopManager.shk
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\RemoteDesktopManager.shk

If the option is not enabled, then the passphrase is saved locally at the following location:

  • %LOCALAPPDATA%\Devolutions\RemoteDesktopManager.shk

In a Terminal Services environment, it should be saved at this location:

  • %APPDATA%\Devolutions\RemoteDesktopManager.shk

In a portable installation of Remote Desktop Manager, the passphrase will be saved at the same location as the portable Remote Desktop Manager instance.

Certificate

When choosing Certificate as Security Provider, entries configuration data is encrypted using a mix of a key stored in Remote Desktop Manager and the private key contained in the certificate.

Security Provider - Certificate
Security Provider - Certificate

OPTION DESCRIPTION
Location Indicate the certificate location. Select between:
  • Current user
  • Local machine
Store Indicate the store location of the certificate. Select between:
  • Address book
  • Authorization root
  • Certificate authority
  • Disallowed
  • My
  • Root
  • Trusted people
  • Trusted publisher
Thumbprint Select an existing RSA certificate.

Create Certificate

It is possible to create a Self Signed certificate by clicking on Create Certificate.

Self Signed Certificate
Self Signed Certificate

OPTION DESCRIPTION
Common name Name of the certificate.
Key size (bits) Indicate the key size (bits) of the certificate. Select between:
  • 384
  • 512
  • 1024
  • 2048
  • 4096
  • 8192
  • 16384
Valid from Start date of the certificate.
Valid to End date of the certificate.
Save to file (pfx) Save the certificate as a pfx file and secure this certificate with a password.
Save to certificate store Indicate the location and the store to save the certificate.