Vnc

[sodface]

Has anyone ever tried Real VNC? I'm using it to manage my file server over the LAN. I tried it about 4-5 years ago just for giggles and then uninstalled it. I remember at the time that people mentioned security issues with it but I don't recall what the exact details were. I'm sure it's been updated since then, since they have their own domain name now and back then it was a page off of some computer lab somewhere.

Anyway, if you haven't tried it, it's a small, free program with a server component and a client component that gives you remote access to a computer via the network (or internet). It works really well. Similar to PC Anywhere, I guess, though I must admit that I have about 3 different versions of PC anywhere and I don't think I've ever installed one. :) So I don't really know the interface and capabilities of it.

Like I said, Real VNC is free, though.


Linky (http://www.realvnc.com/)

[KingTermite]

Yes, I use Real VNC at work.

It does work great, but there is a security issue. It is not secure, so if you use it between two computers across the internet, then your work, passwords, etc... could be fair game. If you are using it between two computers on the same network (both behind a firewall), then you are ok. If you want to use it across the inernet, then you would need to run it through a secure shell (SSH) or something along those lines in order to be secure.

[sodface]

Thanks, KT. I plan on using it just on my home LAN so I guess I should be ok. I'm just impressed with the fact that the executable is small yet (seemingly) does so much! Must be written in assembly or something - like most of Steve Gibson's stuff at grc.com.

That might be a cool thread... "must have apps under 1mb"...

:wave:

[KingTermite]

Originally posted by sodface
Thanks, KT. I plan on using it just on my home LAN so I guess I should be ok. I'm just impressed with the fact that the executable is small yet (seemingly) does so much! Must be written in assembly or something - like most of Steve Gibson's stuff at grc.com.

That might be a cool thread... "must have apps under 1mb"...

:wave: If you like the small size of it, then look into another app based on the same core called "tightVNC". I think its even smaller and still does pretty much the same thing.

[joeMan]

woooooHOOOOO!!! 3+ years thread revival!!! :bow: haleluja!!

I was looking at ultraVNC (http://www.uvnc.com/index.html). Anyone ever try that one? Man, the setup interface is blowing my mind, but I think I can get through it if I get a good nights rest and hit it hard in the morning with a big cup of coffee...:lol: :bonk:

[joeMan]

Finally got it going right, with the help of a recent business acquaintence I made here in Sacramento. I was stumped on how to get the remote client to host the session - he showed me how to use the "Single-Click" add on. You gotta configure it a little, then upload it to the ultraVNC website through a tool they host. The tool makes an .exe that is very light (166KB) that you DL after it is done being compiled. The resulting .exe can be executed from any remote PC allowing me to take control of the machine. Very cool.

Tried it out on 3 different 32-bit machines today and they all work great. I tried it on my brother's XP x64 machine and it was really buggy and froze or disconnected after a short time. I tried it on Vista, and it works - BUT I can't see anything i am launching on the Vista machine - I can only view the desktop. SO Vista hosting is a little weird still I guess. They are working on it, soon to be released for Vista compatibility though so that's good.

[sodface]

Looks good JM. Might have to check it out. Glad you got it going.

[joeMan]

Ya man, this is cool. I can service a clients PC without even leaving the house. It is very handy for service calls where I just do software/OS tweaking and no hardware is involved. One drawback though is that restarting the computer remotely (after updates for instance) kills the connection of course, so some remote user participation is required in those situations. After reboot of the remote machine, the user needs to log on to the machine and then re-initiatd the connection to give me control again...but that's a minor inconvenience when somebody is waiting to get their computer back working again.

There is a program that ultraVNC works with that will let my end remember the connections and I then have the option of reconnecting at any time I want, as long as the remote machine is on and the IP address stays the same.

[NiCu]

remember to wrap any internet based vnc sessions with ssh or the like. the free vnc's don't do encryption on their own :D

[jacek2]

Ya man, this is cool. I can service a clients PC without even leaving the house. It is very handy for service calls where I just do software/OS tweaking and no hardware is involved. One drawback though is that restarting the computer remotely (after updates for instance) kills the connection of course, so some remote user participation is required in those situations. After reboot of the remote machine, the user needs to log on to the machine and then re-initiatd the connection to give me control again...but that's a minor inconvenience when somebody is waiting to get their computer back working again.

There is a program that ultraVNC works with that will let my end remember the connections and I then have the option of reconnecting at any time I want, as long as the remote machine is on and the IP address stays the same.

VNC is great although I believe FreeNX is better. I use both but none was able to power ON my PC remotely. Now I installed "Power Web Button" card and I can power ON/OFF my PC over internet using a browser.

[tony777]

I have realvnc4, connects ok, but drops user on remote from whaever they're doing & sometimes d/c's. Really slow, too. Any ideas?

[blwest]

Tony777,

What kind of connection are you running it over? VNC can be very bandwidth hungry. As others have stated, wrap it in a ssh tunnel if going over the internet.

[joeMan]

Thanks for mentioning the security issue king termite, nicu and blwest.

Could somebody tell me simply how to "wrap it in ssh tunnel" or the like? If it is not a simple thing, then can you point me in the right direction for some good reading on it?

thanks again :thumbs: