Best & easiest way to access files over the internet?

JamesM · 9 Dec 2011 at 15:14

Basically I'm after a cheap (free preferably) way of accessing word documents from a PC which is on 24/7 at my work from my laptop/PC at home?

I've heard talks of VPN, etc and although I'm pretty handy with hardware software confuses me slightly

I just need to be able to open, edit and save Word and Excel documents, I don't need remote access or anything like that.

If I can do the above without installing any software that would be a bonus but I understand the above may not be doable with Windows 7.

bigredshark · 9 Dec 2011 at 15:28

If you need less than 2GB then I would say the answer is install dropbox...free and easy...

JamesM · 9 Dec 2011 at 15:30

bigredshark said:
If you need less than 2GB then I would say the answer is install dropbox...free and easy...

Probably need more than 2GB.

The files are already shared between 2 laptops at work so wouldn't want to start having to upload files to the internet, etc

NathanE · 9 Dec 2011 at 15:38

Hamachi VPN + Windows file sharing. Free and easy. Files will never touch a "cloud" server.

JamesM · 9 Dec 2011 at 15:54

NathanE said:
Hamachi VPN + Windows file sharing. Free and easy. Files will never touch a "cloud" server.

Have used Hamachi before for games but never knew you could do that. Will give it a whirl!

Vince · 9 Dec 2011 at 16:19

Port forward the rdp ports in your router and connect using windows remote desktop. No third party software required

Beerbaron · 9 Dec 2011 at 16:21

VinceB1 said:
Port forward the rdp ports in your router and connect using windows remote desktop. No third party software required

This.

KIA · 9 Dec 2011 at 16:52

Avoid RDP listening on the Internet if you can help it. TeamViewer will do the same thing and there's no need to install as it will run as a standalone program.

Vince · 9 Dec 2011 at 16:55

KIA said:
Avoid RDP listening on the Internet if you can help it. TeamViewer will do the same thing and there's no need to install as it will run as a standalone program.

What is your reasoning behind this?

KIA · 9 Dec 2011 at 18:17

VinceB1 said:
What is your reasoning behind this?

From a security standpoint, it's always best to avoid having services listen for connections on the Internet. Solutions such as Hamachi and TeamViewer aren't subject to bots probing ports and potentially brute forcing authentication nearly as much as RDP.

Deleted member 77746 · 9 Dec 2011 at 18:32

Take all your documents with you on a hard drive, edit them there n save.

job done.