Curated by: Luigi Canali De Rossi
 


Sunday, March 18, 2007

Remote PC Access Tools: A Mini-Guide

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The ability to remotely access your home PC from anywhere has long been a reality, though, in recent times, the number of products and tools that allow to remote control PC have exploded in numbers and capabilities.

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Photo credit: Joske

It is important, however, to differentiate remote PC access tools from remote PC control tools: the former allow you to remotely access your computer independently, without needing another person to be present at the other end; the latter are conceived to provide PC support and troubleshooting at-a-distance and this is why these tools require the presence of a user to authorize access to the remote computer.

With remote PC access tools, you can do both basic activities such as remote launching of applications you may not have installed on your portable laptop, or transferring and synchronizing files across your computers, or checking and sending emails while using the mail system available only inside your company.

Advanced capabilities available in some remote PC accss tools include the ability to print documents saved on your remote computer to a local printer, the possibility to listen to the audio of your remote PC and the option to invite an online guest to view your remote PC as well.

Obviously these remote PC access tools require that the remote PC that you want to control be constantly connected to the Internet. In some cases, a small plugin or mini software app needs to be installed on the computer in order for you to be able to control it from a remote distance.

In this remote PC access mini-guide I have collected some of the most popular remote access tools and services available today and have identified the following traits and characteristics as differentiating criteria for this job:

  • From which OS/platforms you can access the remote PC: the system requirements for computer from which we are accessing our remote computer

  • Mobile - PDA - Pocket PC access: the support for mobile devices in general, whether they are mobile phones, PDAs or Pocket PCs

  • File synch and transfer: the capability to synch up files and transfer them between the remote computer and the local computer

  • Remote sound: the possibility to hear sounds that are being played on the remote computer

  • Encryption: the availability of a protection system for your data while they are being remotely accessed

  • Guest Invite: the possibility to invite a second person to temporarily view or share the control of your computer

  • Copy & Paste between computers: the ability to directly copy and paste files between the remote computer and the local computer

  • Remote screen blanking / Keyboard locking: the ability to prevent anyone at a remote location from tampering with your computer during a session

  • Remote printing: the possibility to print any document from your remote computer on a local printer. Instantly obtain a hard copy of any document living on your remote computer

Please keep in mind that this mini-guide does not aim to be an exhaustive resource of all the remote PC access tools available out there. This list will grow with time thanks also to new tools and services that you will be suggesting by using the Comments section at the end of the article. Your contribution will be indeed precious to us.




GoToMyPC

gotomypc_logo.gif

  • From what OS/platforms you can access the remote PC: Windows, Mac

  • Mobile - PDA - Pocket PC access: YES / Pocket PC

  • File synch and transfer: YES

  • Remote sound: YES

  • Encryption: YES

  • Guest Invite: YES

  • Copy & Paste between computers: YES

  • Remote screen blanking / Keyboard locking: YES

  • Remote printing: YES

  • Price: monthly plan $19.95 (one computer), yearly plan $179.40 (one computer).
  • Check the complete pricing list for multiple computers.
  • Free try-out / duration: YES / 30 days

  • Link: http://www.gotomypc.com

GoToMyPC Personal allows you to remotely access your computer from any other Internet-connected computer in the world with almost any operating system through a secure, private connection. You need to leave your PC on and connected to the Internet and log in to www.gotomypc.com from any other computer. Simply click "connect", and your PC desktop will appear in front of you.



BeAnywhere

beanywhere_logo.gif

  • From what OS/platforms you can access the remote PC: Windows

  • Mobile - PDA - Pocket PC access: NO

  • File synch and transfer: YES

  • Remote sound: NO

  • Encryption: YES

  • Guest Invite: YES

  • Copy & Paste between computers: YES

  • Remote screen blanking / Keyboard locking: NO

  • Remote printing: NO

  • Price: monthly plan $9,95 (per computer), yearly plan $49,95 (per computer)

  • Free try-out / duration: YES / 30 days

  • Link: http://www.beanywhere.com

BeAnywhere allows you to utilize any computer that you want to make remotely accessible. Once you install it on the remote computer, you will be able to access that computer from anywhere by entering BeAnywhere's website, login and choose the computer you wish to control. The remote screen will appear inside your browser window and you'll be able to control it with your mouse and keyboard just as if you were there.



LogMeIn Pro

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  • From what OS/platforms you can access the remote PC: Any

  • Mobile - PDA - Pocket PC access: YES / PDA

  • File synch and transfer: YES

  • Remote sound: NO

  • Encryption: YES

  • Guest Invite: YES

  • Copy & Paste between computers: YES

  • Remote screen blanking / Keyboard locking: YES

  • Remote printing: YES

  • Price: monthly plan $12.95 (per computer), yearly plan $69.95 (per computer)

  • Free try-out / duration: YES / 30 days

  • Link: http://www.logmein.com

LogMeIn lets you access your Windows PC from anywhere in the world. All you need is a computer connected to the Internet. You see your remote PC's full desktop and control everything on it - applications, network files, email, printing - without the hassle of further downloads or installations. You can even share files that are too large for email. You can even print documents you've accessed remotely.



Famatech Radmin 3.0 Remote Control

famatech_logo.gif

  • From what OS/platforms you can access the remote PC: Windows

  • Mobile - PDA - Pocket PC access: NO

  • File synch and transfer: YES

  • Remote sound: NO

  • Encryption: YES

  • Guest Invite: NO

  • Copy & Paste between computers: YES

  • Remote screen blanking / Keyboard locking: NO

  • Remote printing: NO

  • Price: one Radmin 3.0 Standard license costs $49 (per computer). Check the other licensing options.

  • Free try-out / duration: YES / 30 days

  • Link: http://www.famatech.com/products/radmin/index.php

Radmin is a secure remote control software and remote access software which enables you to work on a remote computer in real time as if you were using its own keyboard and mouse. You can remotely access the same computer from multiple places and use advanced file transferring, text and voice chats, remote shutdown and other features.



Remote Desktop Control

remote_desktop_control_logo.gif

  • From what OS/platforms you can access the remote PC: Windows

  • Mobile - PDA - Pocket PC access: NO

  • File synch and transfer: YES

  • Remote sound: NO

  • Encryption: YES

  • Guest Invite: NO

  • Copy & Paste between computers: YES

  • Remote screen blanking / Keyboard locking: NO

  • Remote printing: NO

  • Price: $15.00 per computer (you must buy minimum two licenses)

  • Free try-out / duration: YES / 30 days

  • Link: http://www.remote-desktop-control.com

Remote Desktop Control displays the screen of another computer (via Internet or network) on your own screen. The program allows you to use your mouse and keyboard to control the other computer remotely. It means that you can work on a remote computer, as if you were sitting in front of it. It offers many powerful features, such as view only mode or remote system shutdown.



WebEx PCNow

webex_pcnow_logo.gif

  • From what OS/platforms you can access the remote PC: Windows

  • Mobile - PDA - Pocket PC access: YES / Mobile

  • File synch and transfer: YES

  • Remote sound: NO

  • Encryption: YES

  • Guest Invite: NO

  • Copy & Paste between computers: YES

  • Remote screen blanking / Keyboard locking: YES

  • Remote printing: YES

  • Price: $12.95 (includes one computer and mobile access). Check the complete pricing list.

  • Free try-out / duration: YES / 30 days

  • Link: http://pcnow.webex.com

WebEx PCNow lets you access your own computer securely from any remote location via another computer with a web browser and an Internet connection. You can also access WebEx PCNow via your mobile phone to share and email files, access to Outlook email and calendar, access to Skype and call out from a mobile device.



RemotePC Basic

remotepc_logo.gif

  • From what OS/platforms you can access the remote PC: Windows

  • Mobile - PDA - Pocket PC access: NO

  • File synch and transfer: YES

  • Remote sound: NO

  • Encryption: YES

  • Guest Invite: YES

  • Copy & Paste between computers: YES

  • Remote screen blanking / Keyboard locking: NO

  • Remote printing: YES

  • Price: monthly basic plan $4.95, yearly basic plan $49.50. Check the complete list of plans.

  • Free try-out / duration: YES / 30 days

  • Link: http://www.remotepc.com

RemotePC is a secure and simple way to access your computer connected to the Internet from anywhere in the world. You can read your emails, work on the documents and resources and retrieve important documents and data files from your home or office computer while on road. From your computer you can view the desktop of the RemotePC enabled computer and using the Viewer computer's keyboard and mouse to launch applications. Desktop sharing with up to 10 users is also supported.



TightVNC

tightvnc_software_logo.gif

  • From what OS/platforms you can access the remote PC: Windows, Unix

  • Mobile - PDA - Pocket PC access: NO

  • File synch and transfer: YES

  • Remote sound: NO

  • Encryption: YES

  • Guest Invite: NO

  • Copy & Paste between computers: YES

  • Remote screen blanking / Keyboard locking: NO

  • Remote printing: NO

  • Price: FREE

  • Free try-out / duration: NO

  • Link: http://www.tightvnc.com

TightVNC is a free remote control software package derived from the popular VNC software. With TightVNC, you can see the desktop of a remote machine and control it with your local mouse and keyboard, just like you would do it sitting in the front of that computer. TightVNC is available under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL).



Laplink Everywhere

laplink_logo.gif

  • From what OS/platforms you can access the remote PC: Windows

  • Mobile - PDA - Pocket PC access: YES / Mobile, PDA

  • File synch and transfer: YES

  • Remote sound: NO

  • Encryption: YES

  • Guest Invite: NO

  • Copy & Paste between computers: YES

  • Remote screen blanking / Keyboard locking: NO

  • Remote printing: YES

  • Price: monthly plan $8.95 (per computer)

  • Free try-out / duration: YES / 30 days

  • Link: http://www.laplink.com/lle

With Laplink Everywhere remote access and control software you can safely and securely use applications, document files and network resources, or view and update your Outlook e-mail, contacts, calendar and tasks from anywhere - just as if you were sitting right in front of your own PC. Laplink Everywhere also includes remote desktop search from any web-enabled device (powered by Google Desktop Search).



GRC (Remote Control via Gmail)

gmail_remote_logo.gif

  • From what OS/platforms you can access the remote PC: All

  • Mobile - PDA - Pocket PC access: YES / All

  • File synch and transfer: YES

  • Remote sound: NO

  • Encryption: NO

  • Guest Invite: NO

  • Copy & Paste between computers: NO

  • Remote screen blanking / Keyboard locking: NO

  • Remote printing: NO

  • Price: FREE

  • Free try-out / duration: NO

  • Link: http://www.gianniamato.it/grc

GRC is a tiny application that allows you to access your remote computer and execute commands by sending an email with instructions via Gmail. You simply need to enter the command you want to execute in the subject of the email and then send an email to your own Gmail account. GRC is very useful for basic operations of remote access.



Read more



Originally written by Livia Iacolare for Master New Media and first published as: "Remote PC Access Tools: A Mini-Guide"

Robin Good and Livia Iacolare -
 
 
 
Readers' Comments    
2009-09-11 05:36:26

Olji

just wanna say that famatech radmin supports audio transfer



2009-08-27 17:23:39

remote access software

I thought bomgar was the only appliance-based option out there, I'm surprised I hadn't heard of RHUB.

You missed another one- proxynetworks has a good option as well.



2008-06-23 04:55:03

Remote Access Appliance

You missed a new option: remote access appliance. Compared with software option, appliance is free from any other software to break your remote access software. Compared with hosted solutions, you don't need to pay monthly fees.

Check RHUB (http://www.rhubcom.com) for remote access appliance, which allows access to 1,000 PCs.

Another company offers the similar product. Check http://www.bomgar.com. However, it costs 3 to 15 times while it has several more management functions.



2007-09-06 07:38:06

stanemte

I've been looking over the net in search of a decent tool to remotely access technical support. I've found some: LogMeIn, iRemotePC, WebEx (VERY costly -- $375/month!). At last I've come across a web-based tool by the name of Techinline Remote Desktop. It works just great and the pricing is just $20 a month for unlimited use, or $40 for 20 session You'll only need an internet connection and a browser, no need to install anything on your pc. And right away you'll have a ready-to-use remote desktop access environment.

We're going to use it for technical support and I'm concerned how is it reliable?



2007-07-04 00:21:07

Xom

Here is another interesting remote access tool. I found it on www.rdmplus.com.

RDM+ (Remote Desktop for Mobiles) works under the slogan - fast and secure remote PC access from anywhere, from any device.
Besides using my cell phone I can access my home PC with web-based RDM+ using web-browser absolutely free.



2007-05-22 02:05:40

Jk Singh

Another interesting project for desktop sharing.

Just quoting from the site directly.

What is ShowMyPC.com?
This is an open source Remote PC access project, an alternative to subscription
based sites like WebEx or Gotomypc.
ShowMyPC uses SSH port forwarding mechanism using Open Source SSH client plink
and VNC Remote access software. Users can use there own middle SSH server.
No registration, no logins, all open and free.



 
posted by on Sunday, March 18 2007, updated on Tuesday, May 5 2015


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