Remote access to any computer – how it works
Computer remote access – what you need to know before you set up remote access to your computer
I’m going to do my best to describe how remote access to any computer works, in an easy to understand way, and I’m going to start with the basics. If you’re just looking for some highly recommended remote access computer software, click here to visit the GoToMyPC website.
A remote access computer is the client computer which is what you’d call the computer that’s trying to remotely access another computer. That other computer—the one you’re trying to access—is the remote access server computer. The remote access server computer is the host computer, or as I call it around here, my work computer. ;)
During the set up of the remote access server, you can easily make mistakes if you don’t know what you’re doing and leave this computer open to lots of other computers and people you don’t want to have remote access to your computer. That’s one very, very good reason why I suggest you don’t try to do it yourself. Use one of the secure remote access computer programs out there and save yourself this disaster waiting to happen.
If you do go the software route, the remote PC access software is the only remote access tool you’ll need to get yourself up and running remotely in almost no time at all. I have a video posted that shows the installation of the GoToMyPC remote access computer software (which I believe is the best remote computer access software out there) and how to set up a computer for remote access.
In fact, you can get remote access to any computer this way. You just have to set up the little piece of software that will reside on the remote access host computer and you’re good to go.
How remote pc access software works – details you should know
If you want secure remote computer access, you’ll need to set up the following:
Remote access – work computer
You install your main remote access software on your office computer and access your office computer from other locations, such as from home, the coffee shop, or the road.
The remote access computer (the client) is whatever computer you’re using to connect to your work computer—probably your laptop or your home computer.
Remote access – home computer
You install your main remote access software on your home computer and access your home computer from other locations, such as the office, when you travel, go on vacation, or are waiting in the lobby of the doctor’s office.
The remote access computer (the client) is whatever computer you’re using to connect to your home computer—probably your laptop, maybe a friend’s computer, or your work computer.
More “how-to” remote access computer tips
The thing about software like GoToMyPC is that it can do some really neat things, like allow you remote access to your computer files and documents. But I also find it highly-useful to transfer my files between my computers. Here’s how.
GoToMyPC and other programs like it let you drag-and-drop files from one computer to the other. Most of the time, I just drop them on my desktop, but I have also successfully dragged-and-dropped files directly into folders. It’s web based remote access since it gives you remote desktop access through a browser-like window that can be minimized or enlarged, and this is very useful because not everything I want to do when I’m working has to be done on the remotely accessed computer.
Copy and paste between remote computer desktops (most remote desktop software allows it).
Remote access reboot is possible with GoToMyPC since the software is set to be loaded when the computer starts. I recommend leaving this set so that if the power goes out and your automatic backup power source fails, you’ll still be able to access the computer remotely once the power returns. Otherwise, when the power goes out, you’re stuck with a remote computer that doesn’t have the remote pc access software loaded. Can’t do much with that, trust me. :)
Also, this way, if something happens and the remote computer crashes you can send a CTRL+ALT+DEL and restart it. (GoToMyPC lets you do this.)
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