Npcap and WinPcap Installation for RdpGuard
RdpGuard uses WinPcap/Npcap to capture network traffic for protocols that support traffic monitoring. Npcap is the recommended capture driver for current Windows versions and an alternative to Raw Sockets. Protocols configured to read event logs or log files do not need this driver.
Install Npcap for RdpGuard
Use Npcap on Windows 7 SP1/8.1/10/11 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1/2012/2016/2019/2022/2025. For older systems, check the Npcap compatibility notes for driver-signing requirements and version-specific limitations.
Download the installer from the official Npcap website and run it as administrator. Review the license terms and continue to Installation Options:
Npcap installation options for RdpGuard. Keep Install Npcap in WinPcap API-compatible Mode selected. RdpGuard requires this option. It also replaces an existing WinPcap installation.
We also recommend Restrict Npcap driver's access to Administrators only. This permits access by administrators and SYSTEM, the account used by the RdpGuard service. Raw 802.11 wireless capture is not required for RdpGuard.
Click Install and complete the installation. If the installer requests a restart of Windows, restart the computer before continuing.
Run RdpGuard Dashboard as administrator and select Tools, RdpGuard Service, Restart. Then configure WinPcap/Npcap traffic monitoring: select the network adapter for the protected protocol and save its settings.
WinPcap for Legacy Windows Systems
This section applies to older versions of RdpGuard on Windows XP or Windows Server 2003. Current RdpGuard releases do not support these systems. WinPcap 4.1.3 is the legacy capture driver; it is no longer maintained. Use Npcap on newer Windows systems.
When installing WinPcap, keep Automatically start the WinPcap driver at boot time selected:
Complete the installation and restart the RdpGuard service through Tools, RdpGuard Service, Restart, then select the network adapter in the protocol's traffic monitoring settings.
RdpGuard protects:
- Remote Desktop
- MS-SQL Server
- FTP Protocol
- HTTP Protocol
- IMAP Protocol
- POP3 Protocol
- SMTP Protocol
- IIS Web Login
- MySQL Server
- ASP.NET Forms
- RD Web Access
- VoIP (SIP Protocol)
- SSH Protocol
- MS VPN (RRAS)
"This sotware is really great. It's a relief. Because my server is constantly under attack. Thanks RdpGuard" - Joaquim De Sousa Marques
"Nice product. I used to implement something similiar in a low-tech and cumbersome manner via a script called TSBlock (not mine). This makes it much easier and is well worth the pricetag for SMB's." - J. Johnson
"Absolutely amazed at your product. We are a church in the North Dallas area, and I discovered this morning multiple failed logon attempts via our Remote Access Server. A friend suggested your product, so I immediately downloaded the trial. It had a list of about five blocked IP addresses in minutes, and that was enough to lead me to push the BUY button. Over the past 10-15 minutes the list is now about thirty with at least a third being international attempts to break into our system. Thanks for a great product. You may have just saved us much grief." - John Hallford
"Love the software. RDP on our Windows servers is just ridiculous. We would block it in the router but we have lots of old-time customers that would have issues." - Scott Hirsch
"Love the software! Makes it easier than tailoring VB Scripts!!" - Nick Brennan
"It's a great product - really stopping those RDP attackers :-)" - Dave, UK
"First of all: Your application is very (!!!) useful and I like it very much securing my 2012 R2 server. RdpGuard is the best solution, I found on the market and after 10 minutes of testing it I ordered the fully-featured version. :-)" - Carsten Baltes