What type of secure connections does Azure Bastion provide for Azure virtual machines?

Azure Bastion is designed to enable secure and seamless RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) and SSH (Secure Shell) connectivity to virtual machines directly through the Azure portal, without exposing them to the public internet. By utilizing Azure Bastion, users can securely connect to their VMs over SSL, which operates over HTTPS, providing an added layer of security by encrypting the traffic.

When using Azure Bastion, the service provides RDP connections specifically for Windows-based virtual machines and SSH connections for Linux-based virtual machines through a browser-based experience. This means that while the service encompasses both RDP and SSH protocols, the primary focus for Windows instances utilizing this solution often highlights the RDP aspect due to its common usage in managing Windows servers.

Understanding Azure Bastion’s secure method of connecting to Azure virtual machines emphasizes the importance of protecting those VMs from potential threats. By only allowing traffic through Azure Bastion and relying on encrypted protocols, organizations enhance their security posture.