Remote Desktop Connection Security

Brains · 29 Oct 2006 at 16:40

I found this guide on the internet for how to do it, only i am wondering about security, obviously i don't want others to be able to channel into the connection and get into either computer at either end. So is the xp-pro setup enough, i use norton on my own computer, and i think norton is on my work computer aswell. Do i require any additional security software? Or are there any specific measures i should take?

Thanks, Tom.

mike1210 · 29 Oct 2006 at 17:35

first things first use strong passwords for all accounts including the local admin account

i.e. password = bad
$uperN0va?+3265 = much better

can you restrict access to a certain IP address?

what is your current network setup?

Brains · 29 Oct 2006 at 17:40

mike1210 said:
first things first use strong passwords for all accounts including the local admin account

i.e. password = bad
$uperN0va?+3265 = much better

can you restrict access to a certain IP address?

what is your current network setup?

Home: My laptop, xp-pro & norton, d-link ethernet modem, tiscali broadband.
Work: Computer and Internet (don't know, don't really want them knowing anything either)

I don't know if i can, personally don't know how to.

mike1210 · 29 Oct 2006 at 17:49

are you allowed to do this from work? I would defo ask before attempting to set this up. Works firewall would quite possibly log this even if was a failed attempt

home end

right click my computer > properties > remote tab >tick remote desktop tab

TCP port 3389 would have to be open on your norton firewall, is that a D-link router or modem? if router you would have to open it on that as well see www.portforward.com to do this

www.ipchicken.com to get your ip adress, with Tiscali this may change from day to day

work end (if they allow it)

start > all programs > accesories > communication > remote desktop connection

type in IP adress of home computer

log in with username and password

Android · 29 Oct 2006 at 18:40

I use Hamachi with remote desktop, piece of p to setup and perfectly secure for my needs: http://www.hamachi.cc/security/

Brains · 10 Nov 2006 at 12:23

Android said:
I use Hamachi with remote desktop, piece of p to setup and perfectly secure for my needs: http://www.hamachi.cc/security/

Anybody use any other software?

El_Watcher · 10 Nov 2006 at 12:46

Using remote desktop is secure enough with a firewall, although you may want to change the host port you are using, 3389 is default so first thing hacker woul try. You change the port on the host in the registry (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\TerminalServer\WinStations\RDP-Tcp\PortNumber). I used the guide here (apologies to mods for any hidden competitors in there), to set it up at work. If your broadband has changing IP address you can use DynDNS which has free domain-dynamic IP redirecting. In this case you setup a domain address and connect to it, and DynDNS redirects you to whatever your IP has changed to.

gooner_47 · 10 Nov 2006 at 13:33

create a vpn connection before you use rm

Brains · 10 Nov 2006 at 17:59

gooner_47 said:
create a vpn connection before you use rm

Care to expand on that?

Brains · 11 Nov 2006 at 00:30

Also, if in the start menu, remote desktop is not an option, is there a way of doing i through IE instead?

fumbles · 11 Nov 2006 at 13:44

gooner_47 said:
create a vpn connection before you use rm

VPN would be silly.

SSH on the other hand, would not only encrypt your username and password but everything you send via the connection. I use PuTTY.
http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/

Also VNC is an alternitive to RDC. Works very well, and there is a free version. The non-free versions of RealVNC secure the connection like SSH would.

http://www.realvnc.com/

mike1210 · 11 Nov 2006 at 16:44

worth pointing out that remote desktop is also encrypted