Update for Windows Server 2016 – Windows Defender is built-in to Windows Server 2016 and is provided at no charge. If you have Windows Server 2012 R2, we can install MS System Center Endpoint Protection on your server for a nominal monthly fee (Windows Defender does not exist for Windows Server 2012r2). You are always free to install and use your own AV / malware / security software product as you see fit. Before installing software, you should verify it is supported on the Windows Server OS you have as well as on a RDS/Terminal Server if that role is installed.
Original Blog Post – Appropriate security measures should be taken on all hosted servers of which one component is using an anti-virus program. If you have a RDP hosted server with users who surf and download from the web, anti-virus is a must. Having the server backed up is another key to ensure you keep all your data safe.
Riptide Hosting can provide the licensing for MS Endpoint Protection stand-alone for $20 per server (or $5 per user if you are utilizing our per user terminal server application hosting offering – https://www.riptidehosting.com/Terminal-Server-Application-Hosting.aspx). Our licensing is provided on a monthly basis with no long-term commitment.
You can also choose to use your own anti-virus software which you may have more familiarity with or already own licenses for. You should verify that the software will work with the Windows Server OS that you have as well as with the remote desktop services (RDS) / terminal services role if installed (and any configuration changes necessary for install on a RDS / terminal server). Also, remember to install programs on a remote desktop server (terminal server) through control panel, install programs on remote desktop server.
If you would like to utilize our licensing for MS Endpoint Protection and have us install it on your server, please let us know.
Other AV offerings that you can research for pricing, compatibility and specifications include: eset, avg, malewarebytes, and many more.