VNC communications are sent in plaintext, so anyone sniffing is going to be able to read your log ins just like they were sitting over your shoulder... actually a bit easier.

If you're going to use VNC you're also going to need a secure VPN, SSH tunnel, or, if you're too lazy to do either of those, at the very least a Hamachi connection.

You'll also want to make sure that your home system requires a log in, might be a bit annoying but it's an extra level of security.

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Followed by RDP or SSH, or file shares.

I have a persistent firewalled VPN between work & home in addition to client-based VPN server daemons. VPN is done at the routers using OpenVPN on Ubuntu 8.04 with iptables for firewall and ip route/rule for traffic balancing between cable and DSL.

I find that this is the easiest and bestest way, and highly recommend it.

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"How To: Remote Control Your Home Computer From Anywhere"

Yeah, right. Totally worthless effort folks. I mean, I've already done this and it is a total sham.

I did all the steps exactly as John describes, that part went well, no glitches. Then I went on vacation. While away, I remotely accessed my Mac thinking "wow, this is SO cool!" and entered several commands. But two weeks later I got home to discover:

• bed still not made

• kitchen trash not emptied

• laundry unsorted and unironed

Can't believe I fell for it. I'd have better luck trying to remote control my cat.

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Ahh...the mother-of-all to make it work.

You NEED a static IP.
You know how much is broadband with permanent static IP????
I have cable. The IP changes... rarely. But it does. And the moment it does, you are screwed.

So I use GotoMyPC.com service at $100/yr. it's always on if the PC is on it's always connected and the Video is SUPER, SUPER fast. Faster than Windows own VPN!.

As a backup, I use a FREE service from Logmein.com. It's video is not as fast as GotoMyPC but it gets the job done.
I have everyone I know that needs PC help from time to time on it, so I can log in their PC's to help them.

I've used both services for over 4 yrs now. Locally pretty much every week and from overseas several times with zero glitches.

GotomyPC $100/yr beats hands down the cost of a Broadband Static IP and it's waaaaay faster than VPN (even over ethernet)! IMHO.

My 2 cents....

:)

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The free version of VNC doesn't lock the screen of the remote computer so if anyone is at home, they'll be able to see your desktop and be able to take control if they wanted to. It's a good cross platform solution, but you'll need to spend some money if you want "screen blanking" like MS RDP.

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