remote access apps
 

what are good free apps that can be used to remotely access another PC? things like VNC

should have been more specific. they are not on the same network. I'm trying to set it up to access my sisters computer in another city so I can work on it for her.

Are the other computers on a network? Because if you are on a network, you can use remote desktop to connect to most computers running Windows XP/Vista/7.

If not, you could use logmein, but that requires you to pay money.

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Free remote connection software. It's as easy as putting in a keypass that's generated on the host PC.

Try out crossloop. I can't find the link at the moment (on my mobile phone) but it is for free to use and download from filehippo.com.

Try teamviewer.com - A co-worker of mine uses this free solution to help relatives online.

just use remote desktop, its part of the windows feature set, shouldn't need any fancy software to make it work.

the hardest part would just be setting up a port forward in her router I guess.

Make sure ALL accounts have passwords, and not 123qwe or something of that nature. I mean something more like gh!5-La12.6Yt. Might be a good idea if you make sure guest account is disabled as well. XP sometimes has that enabled.

If someone takes that machine over, the first thing they will do is put a backdoor on it (root kit) then start changing everything to suit their needs. Depending on their goals, they will lock you out or stay on it in the background. They will take user/passwords, financial info, and possibly attempt (and succeed at) identity theft. Otherwise they will use it to attack other institutions, like banks and the FBI. You should know what happens next (think front door being kicked down).

This is the reality of the web. I have to fight off hackers at work all the time, who have taken over entire webservers. The really fun part is I have to do this remotely.

Map a new port instead of the default RDP port. 3389 is the default. Map it to 6002, 9003 or some otherwise unmapped port. Stay away from 8xxx or ports below 1024. Good routers will do this for you with public/private ports, then you don't have to change the windows port.

DO NOT use VNC. It is brute force vulnerable. I have been on a server that was brute forced, and the assholes actually signed onto it while I was working on it. Needless to say, I locked it down fast.