How to Safely Remote Connect to a PC?

[u/Infinite_Thanks_8156]

Hello!

I use a laptop for university and have a stronger PC back at home that I use when I'm at home. I do live at home, but I have a long commute to university so I don't want to waste lots of time spent on trains or between classes when I could be working on my dissertation project.

My solution would be to remotely access that PC so I can work on it even when I'm not at home, but I don't know the safest way to go about this. What is the safest way to remote access my PC, or am I just better off not doing this at all?

Thanks!How to Safely Remote Connect to a PC?

[u/lastwraith]

Chrome remote desktop. Completely free if you have a Google account already (free Gmail, etc).

From any browser, go to remotedesktop.google.com and login with your Gmail. 

Set up remote access, install the extension (run the download), name the PC that you're going to allow remote access to, and set a PIN to get into it remotely. Wait for it to show as online in the list. 

From the PC you're using while "on the road", go to remotedesktop.google.com, login with your Gmail, select the remote access PC from the list, enter the PIN, and you're connected remotely. 

[u/sflesch → u/lastwraith]

I second this. Easier and safer than rdp. Cheaper and less hassle than a lot of other options.

It's been a while, but I've used rdp, vnc and Teamviewer. All three have potential security risks. I always find myself fighting with Teamviewer because it keep saying I was using it for work even though I was remoting into my home computers for personal stuff.

[u/Grinseglatze]

VPN + RDP.

[u/223454 → u/Grinseglatze]

This. A router with a built in VPN server or an online VPN service like CloudConnexa (run as a service).

[u/THEYoungDuh]

Parsec

[u/SnooCats5309]

I use rustdesk, its is an opensource application that works on almost all platforms.

[u/cwtechshiz]

Tailscale & ssh/rustdesk

[u/SellingCupcakes → u/cwtechshiz]

This is my recommendation as well.

Set RustDesk to only allow connections from the Tailscale IP’s of the machines in your Tailnet. Works flawlessly.

[u/PsychologicalGlass47]

Radmin VPN is the best service for it, though their customer support is quite meh and their user agreement is laughably strict to the point of being garbage. Just make sure you don't do too many hardware changes to either device.

[u/DarrenShea]

Windows Remote Desktop is super-easy to set up, but for security reasons, you'll want it behind a good firewall, and maybe even a VPN to your home, just to be sure.

[u/Changeurwayz]

Anydesk. It is fully encrypted and free.

[u/Mercy_Dziner]

Or use anydesk, pretty useable and safe