In this information age, users often need to access their home or work desktops remotely. They may need to work from home and access their work computer. They may be on vacation and need to access their home computer. How is this done? Can the same method be used for both a work and home computer?

Access to a remote desktop is typically configured through:

• Port forwarding Windows Remote Desktop or VNC application ports at the firewall
• Virtual private networking (VPN)
• An SSH tunnel

All of these choices require knowledge of networking and firewall configuration and management that not everyone has or even wants to have. Also, port forwarding at the firewall, while much easier to implement than virtual private networking and SSH tunneling, is not the most secure option. Wouldn’t it be great if there were another option-one that would work through a firewall without needing to change and manage the firewall configuration, and provided strong encryption like a VPN connection?

LogMeIn Free gives you remote control of your PC or Mac from any other computer with an Internet connection. Install LogMeIn on the computer you want to access, log into your account from another computer and click the computer you want to control. You’ll see its desktop and be able to use all the applications on your remote computer as if you were sitting in front of it.
* Works with Windows PCs and Mac OS X
* Two-minute set-up
* 100% free

The Free version does not provide file transfer, remote sound, or full printing capabilities. It only provides basic remote control of your desktop from anywhere with an internet connection. If you decide you want the full features and are willing to pay the price, you might also consider GoToMyPC.

Is LogMeIn secure? As always that depends on your definition of “secure”. The remote control session uses SSL at either 128 or 256 bit encryption. For most, that encryption level will be sufficient. The only real question you must ask yourself is, “Do I trust my data to pass through the LogMeIn gateway-over which I have no control?” For more information on LogMeIn security, read their white paper.