I would like to give my part time assistant remote computer access to work on my files and stuff. Microsoft pro's VPN seems very cumbersome and I am not sure I could get permission from the broker because of the security issues. So what about those web based programs has anyone or better yet is someone currently using them for work or home use. I am investigating this idea and was wondering if there is anyone out there that would like to share some ideas.
Remote Computer Access
- Thread starter johnyboy
- Start date
Hey,
I use VNC to access my computer remotely but it basically takes over the machine. I think you just want to share files or do you want actual remote access to the machine as though you sitting at keyboard?
Anyways, real VNC is free and I have used it for years
http://www.realvnc.com/vnc/
Cheers
...RS...
I use VNC to access my computer remotely but it basically takes over the machine. I think you just want to share files or do you want actual remote access to the machine as though you sitting at keyboard?
Anyways, real VNC is free and I have used it for years
http://www.realvnc.com/vnc/
Cheers
...RS...
RealVNC or UltraVNC are your best free choices. If you want to purchase something, I'd recommend RemotelyAnywhere (http://www.remotelyanywhere.com/).
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
VNC is what I use on my home network. My server/tower lives in a closet without monitor, keyboard, or mouse, and when I need to access it to tweak the software (or queue up new requests on the file sharing network clients ... 
) I run the VNC client on my laptop.
As noted VNC totally takes over the machine. It is like having a second keyboard and mouse attached to the computer. You can launch and close the server on the host computer at any time though, so you can control when your assistant would have access to your system.
However, VNC is not particularly efficient at file transfer. I can kick both computers' (laptop and server) cooling fans into high gear if both systems are already moderately loaded and I try and cut or copy files from a remote window and paste them into a local one.
If file access is all you need, and you don't really need remote control of your computer, have you considered just setting up a secured FTP server? Old fashioned, but it would do the trick, and you can find freeware that would do it.
Even if control is something you need, using VNC for remote system adjustment, and firing the data through an FTP server works - it is how I get large files from my server to my laptop (or I use a flash drive, but that's too easy).
) I run the VNC client on my laptop.As noted VNC totally takes over the machine. It is like having a second keyboard and mouse attached to the computer. You can launch and close the server on the host computer at any time though, so you can control when your assistant would have access to your system.
However, VNC is not particularly efficient at file transfer. I can kick both computers' (laptop and server) cooling fans into high gear if both systems are already moderately loaded and I try and cut or copy files from a remote window and paste them into a local one.
If file access is all you need, and you don't really need remote control of your computer, have you considered just setting up a secured FTP server? Old fashioned, but it would do the trick, and you can find freeware that would do it.
Even if control is something you need, using VNC for remote system adjustment, and firing the data through an FTP server works - it is how I get large files from my server to my laptop (or I use a flash drive, but that's too easy).
thanks guys..what I would like to do is give her access to update my Outlook, appts, letters, contact lists ect, check email respond when appropriate that kinda thing. Any file transfer would be very small and email could handle that. It is more remotely managing from her home or while she is in the office at her own work station... contacts and appts/calls/letters. So I guess basically i couldn't even surf the net while she had access ? I hate typing so basically I send her my notes via fax or email and she would update outlook and fill in the missing information when I was not on my laptop.
if thats the case you also have to open your firewall which opens a new can of worms but easy to do for most if you have router access.
If you are dealing with routers and firewalls or internal network access from the internet, have a look at Log Me In. If creates a secure tunnel to let you access the PC. The free version does not allow file transfer unfortunitly.
Is outlook just running on your personal/work computer, or does your company run an outlook exchange server? If the latter, then you can probably give her access to your data so that she doesn't need access to your computer just your exchange server data.johnyboy said:
I don't know how you'd do that exactly, because I've not worked with MS Exchange before, but I'd be astonished if you couldn't do that. That would bypass all the security/network/configuration headaches of giving someone else access to your whole computer.
There are several ways to do this....the main thing to bear in mind is the security - Whichever solutions you choose, if your assistant is connecting to your computer as you, they will have the same rights as you..
Web based solutions such as gotomypc etc
Software such as VNC
Or simply enable Remote Desktop (my preferred solution if nothing else presents itself) within windows - you can change the default port that it listens on from the default of 3389 to whatever you chose by amending the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\TerminalServer\WinStations\RDP-Tcp\PortNumber. Then simply configure port forwarding in your router, it may also be a good idea to configure dynamic DNS as well...
your assistant can then simply connect to your computer remotely by running mstsc /v:<dns name of computer>:<port you configured>
Alternatively depending how your email is configured - (do you both have outlook running against an Exchange server?) You (or your sysadmin) can allow her access to your mailbox and to send / recieve email on your behalf.
Web based solutions such as gotomypc etc
Software such as VNC
Or simply enable Remote Desktop (my preferred solution if nothing else presents itself) within windows - you can change the default port that it listens on from the default of 3389 to whatever you chose by amending the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\TerminalServer\WinStations\RDP-Tcp\PortNumber. Then simply configure port forwarding in your router, it may also be a good idea to configure dynamic DNS as well...
your assistant can then simply connect to your computer remotely by running mstsc /v:<dns name of computer>:<port you configured>
Alternatively depending how your email is configured - (do you both have outlook running against an Exchange server?) You (or your sysadmin) can allow her access to your mailbox and to send / recieve email on your behalf.
LogMeIn FREE or GotomyPC should do the job for you and you would not need to worry about changing firewall settings. Been using Logmein to access my home PC remotely and update files on my PC or view data for years without problems. If she is just updating files on your PC, then file transfer is not needed. If you want her to have copies on her PC, then she can e-mail the documents to herself or you can purchase the non-free version which allows file transfer.johnyboy said:
