OnlineVNC is a service that allows you to remotely control a computer using a web browser running on any operating sytem, wherever you are, work, hotels, etc. The service can also be used tor provide online IT support, the only thing needed for it to work is installing the Windows only software on the server side and that Adobe Flash is present on the client side. The application can also grant access to your home computer to friends or work colleages to share huge files with the built-in FTP client or show presentations.
The server control panel allows you to see who is connected and what they are doing in real time, being able to restrict or give viewing, keyboard or mouse access. There is no limit to the number of people who can connect to the computer, communication takes place using the Remote Framebuffer (RFB) protocol, compatible with offline Virtual Network Computing viewers like TightVNC, RealVNC and UltraVNC, you can log off or lock the remote computer without breaking the connection, the remote desktop picture can be scaled, with a fit to screen mode and the network speed can be changed to slow, reducing the quality of graphics optimizing bandwidth in slow networks.
The connection port number can be configured, this should help getting around firewalls and making your server harder to spot on the Internet by adopting a non usual port, if you notice anyone scanning your computer adding their IP to the Host Filter will blacklist it.
There are trust based downsides to this uncomplicated solution for remote computer access, if you are not using your own computer it would be a security risk accessing OnlineVNC because you have no guarantee against keyloggers in an Internet cafe, but with your own tablet or laptop it is not a problem. Another downside is that the RFB protocol is not very secure and it is possible to crack the password if someone on the network captures the encryption key, but you can tunnel OnlineVNC over a VPN adding an extra security layer with strong encryption, a third downside is that you have to trust the company managing the service to respect your privacy and be responsable, beyond that, OnlineVNC is acceptable for those looking for an effortless way to remotely access computer files.
The server control panel allows you to see who is connected and what they are doing in real time, being able to restrict or give viewing, keyboard or mouse access. There is no limit to the number of people who can connect to the computer, communication takes place using the Remote Framebuffer (RFB) protocol, compatible with offline Virtual Network Computing viewers like TightVNC, RealVNC and UltraVNC, you can log off or lock the remote computer without breaking the connection, the remote desktop picture can be scaled, with a fit to screen mode and the network speed can be changed to slow, reducing the quality of graphics optimizing bandwidth in slow networks.
The connection port number can be configured, this should help getting around firewalls and making your server harder to spot on the Internet by adopting a non usual port, if you notice anyone scanning your computer adding their IP to the Host Filter will blacklist it.
There are trust based downsides to this uncomplicated solution for remote computer access, if you are not using your own computer it would be a security risk accessing OnlineVNC because you have no guarantee against keyloggers in an Internet cafe, but with your own tablet or laptop it is not a problem. Another downside is that the RFB protocol is not very secure and it is possible to crack the password if someone on the network captures the encryption key, but you can tunnel OnlineVNC over a VPN adding an extra security layer with strong encryption, a third downside is that you have to trust the company managing the service to respect your privacy and be responsable, beyond that, OnlineVNC is acceptable for those looking for an effortless way to remotely access computer files.
Create your own Virtual Private Network with NeoRouter
Neorouter is a free application designed to remotely connect to other computers securely with just a couple of clicks and little configuration, it can be used to help a friend or family member troubleshoot computer problems giving you remote access to their machine or you can use it to connect to your home server or computer from work, to save in electrical bills the home computer can be left on standby and Neorouter will instruct it to wake up when you connect for the first time.
This VPN software allows you to bypass corporate firewalls that block P2P traffic, similar applications (e.g. Hamachi) get around firewalls routing traffic through a central server that can be at times slow depending on the number of users, Neorouter improves VPN speed relaying traffic through your router instead of a central server, it can be set up to use an HTTP or socks4/5 proxy server if necessary.
The application is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, FreeBSD and Android, consisting of a client and a server that will work as a central hub creating a virtual LAN, the server can be set up on any router using open source firmware, like OpenWRT and Tomano. There is no limit to how many computers can be networked with this application creating a P2P friends only network where to share files, play games and communicate with each other in private, the connection will always be encrypted. Capabilities can be expanded with its built-in add-ons including VNC client, Telnet/SSH and SFTP, there is also a built-in firewall.
Travellers will be happy to know that you can download a portable Neorouter VPN client that can be run from within a USB thumbdrive and does not need administrator rights.
Neorouter is a free application designed to remotely connect to other computers securely with just a couple of clicks and little configuration, it can be used to help a friend or family member troubleshoot computer problems giving you remote access to their machine or you can use it to connect to your home server or computer from work, to save in electrical bills the home computer can be left on standby and Neorouter will instruct it to wake up when you connect for the first time.
This VPN software allows you to bypass corporate firewalls that block P2P traffic, similar applications (e.g. Hamachi) get around firewalls routing traffic through a central server that can be at times slow depending on the number of users, Neorouter improves VPN speed relaying traffic through your router instead of a central server, it can be set up to use an HTTP or socks4/5 proxy server if necessary.
The application is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, FreeBSD and Android, consisting of a client and a server that will work as a central hub creating a virtual LAN, the server can be set up on any router using open source firmware, like OpenWRT and Tomano. There is no limit to how many computers can be networked with this application creating a P2P friends only network where to share files, play games and communicate with each other in private, the connection will always be encrypted. Capabilities can be expanded with its built-in add-ons including VNC client, Telnet/SSH and SFTP, there is also a built-in firewall.
Travellers will be happy to know that you can download a portable Neorouter VPN client that can be run from within a USB thumbdrive and does not need administrator rights.
Create your own home VPN network with Comodo Unite
Comodo Unite is a secure virtual private network (VPN) that can associate an unlimited number of computers, connected PCs can talk in between them and exchange data, all that is needed is that they have the software installed, it can be used to access your home computer from work and retrieve or send files. The system could be compared to a form of private messenger where communications are encrypted and only those with an invitation can join the network with the added advantage of being able to control remote computers if enough rights are given. Software like Comodo Unite is ideal to help others troubleshoot computer problems over the Internet, it will allow you to remotely control their desktop, including applications and Internet browser, with just a couple of clicks.
When you create a network, unless it has been marked as public, membership requests will need to be approved, or if the other end has been given a password, he can automatically join the private network after which he can be assigned administrator rights. Comodo Unite can also communicate with 3rd party IM programs like Windows Messenger, Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger, ICQ and Facebook chat, Comodo Unite imports the settings of your already installed favourite Instant Messenger program and allows you to chat as you normally would do without having to swap client.
Home virtual private networks can be of use if you travel abroad and do not want to take certain files with you, however something VPN software can not do is to switch on the remote computer, you will have leave the computer booted up at all times. Remote authentication is made using a password, digital certificate or both. A web based interface allows administrators to manage a Unite network from any computer with Internet access.
Communications take place P2P with no central server logs, but make no mistake, this is not an anonymity tool, it will keep a third party from spying on your encrypted chat sessions and data transfers, but the other end will know your computer IP at all times and they will also know the computer you are connecting to. The software is free for non commercial use and it has a very complete easy to understand online help manual with screenshots.
Comodo Unite is a secure virtual private network (VPN) that can associate an unlimited number of computers, connected PCs can talk in between them and exchange data, all that is needed is that they have the software installed, it can be used to access your home computer from work and retrieve or send files. The system could be compared to a form of private messenger where communications are encrypted and only those with an invitation can join the network with the added advantage of being able to control remote computers if enough rights are given. Software like Comodo Unite is ideal to help others troubleshoot computer problems over the Internet, it will allow you to remotely control their desktop, including applications and Internet browser, with just a couple of clicks.
When you create a network, unless it has been marked as public, membership requests will need to be approved, or if the other end has been given a password, he can automatically join the private network after which he can be assigned administrator rights. Comodo Unite can also communicate with 3rd party IM programs like Windows Messenger, Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger, ICQ and Facebook chat, Comodo Unite imports the settings of your already installed favourite Instant Messenger program and allows you to chat as you normally would do without having to swap client.
Home virtual private networks can be of use if you travel abroad and do not want to take certain files with you, however something VPN software can not do is to switch on the remote computer, you will have leave the computer booted up at all times. Remote authentication is made using a password, digital certificate or both. A web based interface allows administrators to manage a Unite network from any computer with Internet access.
Communications take place P2P with no central server logs, but make no mistake, this is not an anonymity tool, it will keep a third party from spying on your encrypted chat sessions and data transfers, but the other end will know your computer IP at all times and they will also know the computer you are connecting to. The software is free for non commercial use and it has a very complete easy to understand online help manual with screenshots.