Windows So what is the safe way to remote access?

In short I have a Vista (probably soon to be Win7) HTPC that I use for usenet downloads and stuff.

This is on a network that connects to the net via a Linksys N Class router using CAT5e.

How can I safely access this remotely from PC's at work with restrictions.

I am technically ok at stuff but would rather something that wasnt overly complicated I.E. Download app, configure settings, use!

Thanks in advance,

Dean.

 

The easiest program i have ever found was Teamviewer - simply run the program on both machines and it works. However thats the only plus i have ever found compared to other programs, it is intended to be used briefly to help out a friend without being complicated.

In my opinion the best way is using vista's own remote desktop application, yet i believe that is only on Ultimate and business editions (Not sure though) It is easily set up and works well aslong as you have a static ip (Look into dynamic dns services like no-ip if you don't have a static address)

I have also used RealVNC however in my opinion they are all the same and I would prefer to have a windows service running rather than a third party.

I am very lackadaisical about security, but all of these services require passwords and encrypt the connection (If you set it that way)

 

+1 for team viewer it's a great peice of software. Also check out the free version of logmein.com

 

logmein free works fine

 

SSH Tunnel and UltraVNC here (though the viewer is crap - use tightVNC's viewer)

The only pain is the mirror driver under Win7x64 - it doesn't work correctly, so you can only see your primary screen, and can't switch to the other

 

I would like to use the built in remote desktop feature as that is what I use when accessing the HTPC over the LAN from my main rig. It works well and does bloat the systems with crapware.

The router I have uses dyndns out of the box (partly why I got it) so I have a domain to cover my dynamic IP. Thing is the machines at work are XP. Is the windows vista remoate desktop available as a standalone exe to put on a usb key?

Im not too anal about security of the connection while working on the machine, will only be reshuffling downloads and setting QuickPar to decode. What I dont want is the machine getting hammered by connections from the outside world as its on my largely unsecured LAN/countryside WAN.

Thanks,

Dean.

 

Remote Desktop needs ports to be forwarded, and so do most 3rd party remoting apps aswell. But TeamViewer is an exception! Props for them.

 

If you want to remotely access a computer, and not share the screen. Just use the best tool that can do this, Windows Remote Desktop. The viewer is on all Windows (XP and up, all edition). The host (the system where you want to connect to), is also built-in from Windows XP and up, but it's for XP Pro, Vista Business and up, and Win7 Pro and up.

 

I have no need to share the screen. As the only display attatched is the TV which is switched off! HTPC is Vista 64 Ultimate (soon to be Win 7 Ultimate) client machine here at work is XP Pro SP3.

TeamViewer sounds good and will be my backup if I cant get Windows RD working.

I can forward the ports no probs but is opening this up going to attract all manner of traffic? I suppose I can pick any port I want?

Where would I find the Remote Desktop viewer in WinXP? Been a long time since I used XP!!!

Much love to all!

Dean.

 

Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Communications

'Tis in there

 

Ah found now, altered start menu by council but Ctrl + F is my friend.

Will forward some random port to the HTPC tonight and test it out tommorow. Unless its a good idea to use a port like 80, 21 etc to mask it as web/ftp or something else?

Thanks,

Dean.

 

There are 2 ways to connect to your computer. Router IP or real IP address.
Let's say the router IP computer you want to connect to is 192.168.1.101 (you know this IP address by going to that computer, and opening the command prompt (CMD) and type "ipconfig" and hit the ENTER key.)

Or, you can configure your router to open port 3389, with the computer you want to connect too. Then type in your real IP address and you will connect to it.

The most secure way is the first, as you don't open any port, but you can only access that computer from within your network. If you select option 2, I recommend to place a strong password on the computer you want to connect too.
Windows has a lot of security features set in place to prevent attacks, but nothing is full proof, and a strong password helps greatly.

For the maximum speed, connecting using the first way is the best.

If you choose to go the second way you can still connect to the computer the first way.

 

Logmein free is good but at the moment it won't install on my 64bit Win 7, not sure why.

Most hardware firewalls check for masking like this and permit protocols, not ports If your admins are newbs you may get away with it tho

 

I use mine daily and I didn't have to tweak anything to make it work. What's the problem ?

 

thanks for team viewer looks brilliant.

i was tempted to setup dynamicDNS on my router, then forward the port of VNC. but i was thinking wouldn't that mean only thing between people getting full control and no control is a single password string? is that safe?

 

+1 Guide

 

Teamviewer is the easiest by far. +1 from me.

 

The setup crashes. The logmein website says their code is still in beta, and with Win7 in RC1, I was just going to go without until my retail copy arrives in october, then worry about it

 

windows live mesh is a new bit of software from MS that is, quite frankly, brilliant. I urge you all to check it out. It lets you remote desktop into any machine in your mesh (you download and install a lightweight app), along with synchronise files across multiple machines completely transparently. Add a folder to the mesh and it will propagate through to all your machines you tell it to, and when a file changes on one machine it will change on all. A lot faster than remoting in, but hey, it lets you do that if you need to, too!

It's free, awesome, and quite honestly I am appalled that it hasn't been suggested yet. I revoke all your nerd licenses!

The only limitation I currently know of (hey, it is a beta) is that it is still a bit iffy with UAC - it needs to be run under an admin account. Other than that, it works brill, works fine on 64bit, win7, and even mac, minus the remote desktop bit.

 

If you haven't already settled on one RemotelyAnywhere I used a few years back to remote control my home PC from college. The beauty of it is that it doesn't need software installed on the client computer, it just uses an ActiveX control in the browser. Cant vouch for it in it's most recent form but it did used to be brilliant.