Access another Computer from anywhere with Remote Desktop Software
While giving technical support to your customers (or) while trying to help your mother to install some software, from a remote location either through phone or chat (or) any other means of communication, you might some times want to do the fix/process by yourself quickly instead of giving instructions to others – That’s the purpose of a remote desktop software. Let us find out about them, and what else they can do, in this article.
What is Remote Desktop Software?
A Remote Desktop Software allows you to take control of a Computer that is connected through a network (LAN, WAN, Internet, etc). So, from your computer monitor, you could see the desktop of the remote computer and by using your keyboard/ mouse you can work (save files, make changes in the software configuration, etc) on the remote computer.
So, if you have unfinished work at the office, but still gotta go home for some reason, you can just login to your office computer (using the remote desktop software) from your home computer/ laptop/ tablet etc, and start working on your project with all the facilities (and files) you would have access to, in the office. There is one catch though – The remote computer should be On, and you should have permission to connect to it. And both the computers should have operating systems that are supported by the remote desktop software.
What else can be done with a Remote Desktop Software?
You can do a file transfer (copy and paste) from the remote computer to yours, you can print any file (from either computer) to a printer attached to your computer or the remote computer. You could connect to more than one computer at the same time, or many people could connect to the same remote computer that you are connected to. You could even re-boot the remote system without losing your connectivity (with some vendors).
What are some advanced features that are supported by Remote Desktop Software?
Some Remote Desktop Softwares support advanced features like Instant Messaging, Video/Audio Chat, Collaboration, Making a presentation, accessing remote computers from smart phones/ tablet computers, accessing servers, etc.
Is accessing a remote computer through the Remote Desktop software secure?
Mostly it is, but like anything else, there have been scams involving remote desktop softwares as well. For example, if a stranger calls you and offers a complete desktop checkup or free installation of anti-virus software on a desktop, its prudent not to allow such people to install the remote desktop software on your computer. They can get any information that is stored on your computer!
But when you are operating the remote desktop software with known and trusted sources, there are security features that are inbuilt in most of them like end to end encryption of the session and logging the remote desktop session as a text file/ video file. Most of the remote desktop softwares insist on running the software at both sides and proper authentication (with a user-id and pass-code) before allowing the remote desktop session.
Some vendors even support certificate based access (before accessing a remote computer, your computer needs to have a digital certificate already stored, which can verify your credentials). Some vendors allow remote users to offer only a partial access to the remote computer instead of granting full access (For example, file transfers & printing could be blocked for remote sessions).
You could download and use the remote desktop software for free (for personal use) from here.
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can someone connect to my computer without my permission
A stranger, cannot connect to another stranger’s computer without their permission.
But, if someone whom you know, can access your computer and install the software – they can access it without your permission. And certain operating systems have remote desktop feature already present in them. If its turned on, by someone who can access your computer, then they can access it without your permission. But in both the cases, someone can access your computer only if they have the administrator password and can physically access your computer to tune the settings. That too, only when the computer is ON.
Some companies pre-install Remote Desktop Software to spy on their employees. They can see what is going on in their employee monitor/screen at any time.
By the way, she and a friend were in my PC. She is not trustworthy so I am not sure what she accessed once she got approval of a child to let her remotely drive my PC.
im running my own business and i trust only commercial versions anyway.. what would you recommend?
Team Viewer (business edition) & Logmein might be good options for business/professional use.
I used to work with Team Viewer(business edition) i can’t complain on their product but they have very strange price gradation.You can check it out yourself (https://www.teamviewer.com/en/licensing/index.aspx)Lifetime license sounds funny and my practice shows that it’s pretty expensive tool. Now I’m working with Techinline for my personal needs and my company is working with Logmein. Techinline is cheaper but doesn’t support Mac. (www.techinline.com) Logmein has lots of functions and unfortunately price corresponds to privileges.
Very good article providing valuable information in regards to accessing another computer from anywhere using remote desktop software. There are many remote desktop tools / software such as logmeinrescue, gosupportnow, GoToMyPC etc. or even remote desktop appliances such as Bomgar or RHUB appliances available in market for people to remotely access computers.
How can I file a complaint against my husband’s ex-wife if she had my stepson (6th grader) approve the access remotely to my personal PC. This is immoral and illegal. Who can I report this to?
Obviously to your (present) husband !