What is the best program to remotely control another computer?

By remote, I mean not on the same router as you, but over the internet to a wireless router which assigns IP addresses through DHCP. And by control, I mean everything: view the screen, move the mouse, type on the keyboard, etc. It would also be preferable if the program wasn't easily detectable or removable.

 

There's one built into Windows: "Remote Desktop". The catch is that the computer you're connecting to has to be running either XP Pro or certain editions of Vista... I think Business or Ultimate. The "client" machine can run any edition of XP or Vista I think.

 

the easy answer is pcAnywhere.

however, there's a big X factor that you are not addressing and that is what type of connection the remote computer has to the www. if it has a static IP address, then it makes things easier, but since the vast majority of home computers have dynamic IPs, it complicates the issue.

what i do i run Hamachi and pcAnywhere. Hamachi creates a VPN and then i can use pcAnywhere to remotely control the server at home when i'm on my notebook at a remote location.

 

if you're going to edit your original post to include new information, you should highlight the new information so people who come into the thread don't get confused.

again, the issue is not the inside of the router (which assigns DHCP addresses to computers on the home LAN)... the issue is the outside of the router which gets a dynamically assigned IP address from your broadband provider.

my answer above still holds water. Hamachi and pcAnywhere are a good combo.

 

Oh -- I understand. So most broadband providers dynamically assign IP addresses? If so, how does this make things tricky?

 

per your PM, i'm going to go into detail (pardon the multiple posts)

1. Hamachi is a free, lightweight VPN client that will allow computers on disparate LANs to talk to each other regardless of IP addressing. Use google to find the download page. It's pretty self-explanatory. You install on all computers that you want to talk to each other. Install and Run and after all computers are on the same "virtual" LAN, you can then use pcAnywhere to connect remotely.

2. pcAnywhere is not free. it installs on whatever computers you want to be able control remotely. on the remote computer, it remains resident awaiting a connection. you launch pcAnywhere on your notebook and connect to the remote computer. the desktop will show up in a window on your desktop and you have full control over the remote computer.

 

yes. most providers do not provide static IPs unless you pay extra for the service. it makes things tricky because you have to have some way to connect to computers over the www and that way is via IP address.

 

Problem: PCAnywhere 12 is $50. Can anyone suggest a cheaper/free solution?

 

try www.logmein.com,

I use it all the time to fix problems on my mum's computer. You only need to install the software on the computer you want to remotely controlled and I never had to mess around with IP addresses and what have you, very simple to use. Just make sure you choose the free version, or you can trial the pro version and change to the basic free version later.

There's a icon in the bottom right taskbar of the target computer, never tried myself but I think you should be able to hide the icon.

Also while you remotely control the computer, there is a floating message box showing it's being controlled by another computer, but IIRC you can disable that.

 

now i really like to see this. my personal experience is the minute (second) my comp starts to lag for any reason, i will right.away unplug/shutdown the net connection

so unless it is ur own network and systems, spying on other systems is not nice

cheers ...

 

I also use Logmein.com.

 

Windows Remote desktop works well if you have a static IP.

Otherwise, I use both Logmein Free and Logmein Pro. The free version allows remote desktop, but not file transfer. If you don't move a lot of files, you can always cheat by sending files remotely through email.

 

I have seen VNC used where it gives the user complete control...mouse control, screen control, etc...you literally see actions being done on your screen as if the computer is controlling itself.

 

Creepy. I wouldn't help.

 

That's what Logmein does.

 

what exactly are you hoping to accomplish with a remote gui? updating your work remotely? opening ports? creating user accounts?

 

I was thinking this from the very beginning.

 

I don't like the tone of this post. It implies that you're trying to do something with a computer that you're not supposed to be doing. This thread is now locked.