"Best application to access computer remotely"

On the advise of a kind forum member, I am posting my question as a new thread...

As the title suggests, what in your opinion is the best (free) application to access a secondary computer/ computer network at home remotely.

Background:

I now have 3 laptops - The newest is a Acer 5920 (160GB HDD - 2008), a Sony Viao (100GB HDD - 2007), and a Toshiba Satellite (~60 GD HDD - 2003). They are all Win XP Pro machines - the Sony is a MCE.

What I want to do is to create a 'data hub' of sorts. When I am travelling, I want to be able to access my work files over the internet from these machines at home (I will travel with the Acer).

I guess, they will also serve as being backup hubs for me. I know...2 laptops to serve as backups? But hey...that's what I have at the moment - though the Sony MB is somewhat fried and is being fixed atm.

Since I am not very savvy with computers, if your recommedations are simple to follow, install and execute, it would be very helpful.

So, what would you recommend?

Thanks

PS: PLease excuse the possibility that this post may seem somewhat incoherent...been a long day. Thx.

 

Pcanywhere has always been good.There are free softwares too.

 

I would like to second PCAnywhere. It is by far the easiest to setup and use.

 

Whatever application you decide to get, make sure to setup all the securities features to prevent that another pcanywhere client access your network, we will never stress this point enough.

I have heard good things about Remote Access 1.0, but I'm not sure if they support Vista, here is the link;


http://www.filetransit.com/view.php?id=18240

 

How To: Use Your Computer From Anywhere

 

Great article WackyT, I'll rep you as soon as I can

 

Now that is exactly what I was looking for thanks!

 

Thanks for the link and for the cautionary note. I will certainly keep that in mind.

 

OK. Thanks. I'll read up and see if I can make any sense of it.

Cheers!

 

I never thought that aliens smoke

 

Well...in that case one live and learns doesn't one!

Cheers!

 

Always room to learn more indeed.

 

And anyways who says the 'alien' is smoking - even 'aliens' can be politically correct you know! It could be chewing 'neem' you know! Lolzzzz...how much more off topic can this get!

 

A lot! but don't forget to tell us your experience using the software you will choose to remotely access your home computer.

 

Yes, of course I will! Just waiting for the bloody Viao to get back from the repair shop. I think I will first try the method listed in the article referenced in one of the posts mentioned above and then the other alternatives. Unless I am missing something, it seemed rather easy to deploy.

Cheers!

 

It is but be careful, you will have to install also a client application and to do some settings in windows, especially in the firewall, knid of making your computer open to outsiders, which makes your computer vulnerable to intruders. Put it this way, if you have the ability to access your computer remotely, others will do too, so make sure that you get all the security actions straight before you start using it.

 

Smoking? I thought that was a grey sucking marrow from the thigh-bone of a miniature schnauzer while two Denebian moon-worms danced the Deneb mating ritual in the background.

 

Ok shyster, wake up, is the day now

But don;t you think that using those applications can make your network vulnerable to intruders/hackers

 

logmein.com works pretty well and is free. i use it to provide tech support for family members.

 

Thank you for reminding me this one, I had completely forgotten it.

 

Good point! Thanks. Of course if I run into any trouble during installation and deployment, I'll post back here and ask for all your views and advise.