stiscooby

I would like to be able to access my home PC from another location, well from any location really...

I would like to be able to "take control" of it so to speak.

I have had a bit of a search around on old google and found one bit of software called "Remotely Anywhere" but its only a trial, it seems to work ok though.

Does anyone know/use any other method/software to access their PC remotely? I can setup firewall rules and port forwarding on my router so I can logon to my PC using VNC viewer for example, which works ok, but because I dont know the IP which I will be coming from when using another remote PC I have to allow any IP in on the VNC port, which I don't really want to do if I can help it?

mike1210

4 ways for you

VNC, works with all types of windows IIRC, Typically TCP port 5900

Remote Desktop for Windows XP Pro TCP port 3389

Logmein link here https://secure.logmein.com/go.asp?page=home

VPN in then use something to connect, equipment allowing, this would be the best method arguably

With remote desktop make SURE you have secure passwords on all your accounts including (if you use XP Pro) the local admin account.

examples.....password = terrible password
$uperN0va+?967t = good password

to be honest checking my router logs I ALWAYS get scanned on the VNC port every couple of hours or so, so i'd be reluctant to use that, remote desktop is good with secure passwords and the like but much better when limited to IP address which is what I use. Logmein i havent used but heard good things, my ideal choice would be IPSec VPN to get me onto my network then remote desktop into my computer

stiscooby

Many thanks for that.

Unfortunately my router doesn't give me the facility to create IPSec VPN tunnels, plus I would need something at the other end with IPSec facility's (i.e. when at the girl friends house who only has a normal broadband router) or when I’m at work, they do have IPSec option but not much good when my router at home doesn't.

I don't like using VNC in this way either really as it gets hacked too easy as I have seen this happen on a few systems. Mind you if I knew the IP's I would be coming from when say at the miss's place then I could restrict VNC ports coming from one or two IP's only but she doesn't have an ISP fixed IP so her IP will change every now and then.

The logmein looks ok, very similar to the other eval one I found earlier.

How do I go setting up remote desktop? I have XP Pro....... (I will have a Google )

HankScorpio

Logmein.

Nice software and my favourite price...! (Although I had the paid one for while, I just wasn't using the extra functionality)

Saves me loads of trips to the inlaws doing support

boxst

Hello

I use logmein.com as well, it is great. Remote Desktop is okay, it is just very easy for companies and internet cafe's etc to block the traffic so it is an unreliable way to connect.

Steve

john_s

iTrader: (1)

I use VNC to remote access my computer, and I use Hamachi (Hamachi : Stay Connected) to connect through my router without having to open ports.

John.

mike1210

right click my computer > properties > remote tab > tick check box on remote desktop

router side forward port 3389 to the IP address of your machine, use a MAC to IP binding if you can, so your machine gets the same internal IP address.
Make sure all accounts have very secure password as if the port is open to all anyone could have a go at loggin in. Only once in a few months have I been scanned on the remote desktop port whereas VNC is every day LOL, if you always connect from a certain computer maybe see if that ISP can provide a fixed IP address or narrow down the range of IP's that can connect using (if equipment permits) wildcard masks on the router, so for example ip address 195.0.0.0/0.255.255.255 will allow only Ip addresses that start with 195.xxx.xxx.xxx. The windows XP firewall on service pack 2 can also do this, that's for remote desktop, logmein could also be a good option as could Hamchi as above

Robocop

We've used www.gotomypc.com at work for over a year.