Best PC Remote Access Software?

onewhippedpuppy · 10-31-2009, 10:45 AM

Anyone use some form of remote access software? I need to find something for my in-law's business. The only one I've heard of is "Go To My PC" but it has a monthly fee, I'd prefer a one-time software purchase price.

masraum · 10-31-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Anyone use some form of remote access software? I need to find something for my in-law's business. The only one I've heard of is "Go To My PC" but it has a monthly fee, I'd prefer a one-time software purchase price.

Assuming she's running windows, what about "Remote Desktop connection"? It's free and built into windows. You'll just need to make sure that you've got the network secured for you to be able to get in from the internet without the hole being so big that every 14 year old hoodlum in the world can get in too. You'll also need a login on the machines.

I've never used this one, but...
TightVNC: VNC-Compatible Free Remote Control Software

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

logmein.com

it works, it's free

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

logmein.com

it works, it's free

rcecale · rcecale's Garage

Haven't used it myself, but I've heard CrossLoop is pretty easy to use, as well.

Randy

Tishabet · 10-31-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svandamme

logmein.com

it works, it's free

+1

PCAnywhere is pretty good as well.

onewhippedpuppy · 10-31-2009, 12:43 PM

Thanks guys. Steve, I'm not sure if remote desktop is right for this application. My wife (accountant) needs to be able to log into their work computer. We live in different towns.

I thought the Windows remote desktop was only within the same network?

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

logmein

you create a free account
then add the computer you want to the account

it installs an agent

then you log on to logme in, enter credentials
and voila.. you get the screen via browser...

rdp can do that, if they open a firewall (if they do that they should be fired on the grounds of not having a clue)
logmein does it via http.. and encrypts the connection

onewhippedpuppy · 10-31-2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svandamme

logmein

you create a free account
then add the computer you want to the account

it installs an agent

then you log on to logme in, enter credentials
and voila.. you get the screen via browser...

rdp can do that, if they open a firewall (if they do that they should be fired on the grounds of not having a clue)
logmein does it via http.. and encrypts the connection

Stijn, I took a look, that's what I'm looking for. The Pro version is pretty reasonably priced too. I'll try the free version first, thanks.

masraum · 10-31-2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Thanks guys. Steve, I'm not sure if remote desktop is right for this application. My wife (accountant) needs to be able to log into their work computer. We live in different towns.

I thought the Windows remote desktop was only within the same network?

RD works from any where. I use it to access my home pc from work. I have a hole in my firewall, but it's specific to my work ip so its not visible to normal port scans.

gr8fl4porsche · gr8fl4porsche's Garage

I use a VPN connection and then Remote Desktop into the office. Works great - only limited by your upload speeds.

I have used logmein and almost all the others. They all do the job. Try them out and see which one is the fastest. When the screen lags it gets frustrating.

onewhippedpuppy · 10-31-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

RD works from any where. I use it to access my home pc from work. I have a hole in my firewall, but it's specific to my work ip so its not visible to normal port scans.

How difficult is that to set up?

Quote:

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

I use a VPN connection and then Remote Desktop into the office. Works great - only limited by your upload speeds.

I have used logmein and almost all the others. They all do the job. Try them out and see which one is the fastest. When the screen lags it gets frustrating.

Sure, I use the exact same setup to login to my work network from home. But I'm guessing that setting up a VPN is much more difficult/expensive than one of these programs.

Oddly enough, my work VPN sucks.

masraum · 10-31-2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

How difficult is that to set up?

Sure, I use the exact same setup to login to my work network from home. But I'm guessing that setting up a VPN is much more difficult/expensive than one of these programs.

Oddly enough, my work VPN sucks.

It shouldn't be too hard to setup depending upon your setup. You'd need access to your firewall and you'd need to know what IP address your wife will be coming from. That's not that hard to figure out.

The VPN would be harder, but depending upon the hardware/setup, it might be doable with all of the networking guys' help that are resident on PPOT.

exitwound · exitwound's Garage

I use Remote Desktop to do tech support for my mom about 1200 miles away. Works well. I also RD into the server downstairs. Just gotta know the IP and have the firewall exceptions set (and user permissions granted).

HardDrive · 10-31-2009, 08:21 PM

Used VNC for years, worked well.

Built in Remote Desktop works quite well too. Its the firewalls that give you grief, not the VPN software.

89911 · 11-01-2009, 08:29 AM

Use the remote windows desktop. I think the other companies hope you don't find out you have it already installed on your system. I use to use PC anywhere and switched about 2 years ago. My wife uses it to remotely access my workstation and log in. It also works faster with less lag then the PC anywhere.

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

you can't use Windows RDP if you're not in the same network.
Not unless somebody opens up the firewall, which is not really safe.