Remote Desktop Options for Continuum

[jssmarathon]

Make sure you're using your external IP, not your computer's IP (which only identifies it on the local network). Type "what's my IP" into Cortana (or Bing/Google) and press Enter to get your external IP.

Thanks Dog!

That works right away and it's pretty snappy as well!

Now if I can trouble you for one more piece of advice or anyone on this forum,

What's the best way to secure this that I can figure out on my own. I have obviously got the port forwarded, but no VPN
would be too much to ask for a guide to setting up a ikev2 vpn?
Or can you just set up in advanced some sort of different method of forwarding the port on the router?

Thanks again in advance!

 

[DOGC_Kyle]

I don't know much about VPN so I can't offer any advice on that.

If you're using port forwarding, there are a couple things you can do for security. Port forwarding is usually secure enough for home users (would not recommend for any sort of sensitive data) as long as you're smart about it. Remember that someone who wants to get will probably get in, so don't use this for anything other than personal use (for example desktop apps you want to use on the x3).
The computer should have a firewall (you can do more with this, but default windows firewall should be fine for just accessing apps) and only allow remote desktop connections from authorized users (usually just you).
If possible, leave as much off this one PC (imagine that this one PC is totally open to everyone on the internet, do not use it for more than absolutely needed, don't even store files on it if not needed), do not give it access to network computers as this could open up your whole network to intruders. Both the computer and router should be secured with strong passwords, and limit access to router settings if possible (for example, only allow access if directly connected over LAN).

My remote desktop PC has no access to the other computers on my network, but my network computers have access to it (I can "push" files to it, but I can't "pull" files to it). No files are saved on the PC, I just copy them in from a network PC, and remove after. The only thing on this PC is the applications I need. It's running a clean copy of Windows so I can wipe it and reload at any time if needed.
It's still not as secure as other methods, but for my needs, it works. If you just need a simple setup, and don't care if someone could get total access to that one PC, then this might be good enough.

 

[jssmarathon]

Unfortunately that's going to be very difficult for me to do because I need this machine access to do the things that I want to do

Guess I better investigate the VPN route any thoughts out there?

 

[kurtd]

Have you actually tested team viewer? I thought the blank screen setting was in the settings on the host side, not the client?

For the VPN, you might need to find a consumer grade firewall with IKEv2 if this is for a home setup. I'll be testing this with a Watchguard firewall soon but those are for business and not easy to configure.

 

[jssmarathon]

Just got through testing team viewer 12. The problem with 12 is it only allows you to have 5 minutes of runtime before it kicks you off. I was able to download a version of team viewer 11, which is better, so I'm using that for awhile not the best. Interface but it will have to do.

 

[Corwin_Amber]

Why would it kick you off? Do you just loose connection?

 

[jssmarathon]

Version 12 has a 5 minute limitation.
Alsoncannot log Back on for a long wait time.
Renders it uselesss.

Version 11 has no such limitation.
But the interface is not as clean and functional as RDP.

 

[jssmarathon]

Amber,

Now I have tried Team viewer and PC remote and neither one is as good as plain old RDP

With RDP however, problem is you have to open port 3389 which exposes your computer to the entire Internet, so that is too dangerous. I even tried a three day trial of a VPN which was recommended as one of the better ones available in the world

Problem there was VPNs don't generally provide port forwarding, and even then my network connection seem to have been cut in half even when I connected to a US server

So unless somebody has a better idea on how to open up port 3389 without jeopardizing all of my security, I have no answer.

Any other possibilities?

 

[kurtd]

Once you establish a VPN into your own network, then you would use the local IP with RDP to connect to your computer. So you wouldn't need the port open and wouldn't need port forwarding set up in your router anymore. You probably signed up for the wrong type of VPN service. Pertino or Hamachi might work but I've not tested them from Windows phone.

 

[jssmarathon]

Once you establish a VPN into your own network, then you would use the local IP with RDP to connect to your computer. So you wouldn't need the port open and wouldn't need port forwarding set up in your router anymore. You probably signed up for the wrong type of VPN service. Pertino or Hamachi might work but I've not tested them from Windows phone.

I signed up with NordVPN for a three day free trial

I opened up the port, but canyousee me could not see the port or my local IP

Since the local IP is masked, with the VPN, how to get through it if you're not on the same network?

I am a newbie at this so I really need some detail on how to understand it

 

[KrayMat]

Amber,

Now I have tried Team viewer and PC remote and neither one is as good as plain old RDP

With RDP however, problem is you have to open port 3389 which exposes your computer to the entire Internet, so that is too dangerous. I even tried a three day trial of a VPN which was recommended as one of the better ones available in the world

Problem there was VPNs don't generally provide port forwarding, and even then my network connection seem to have been cut in half even when I connected to a US server

So unless somebody has a better idea on how to open up port 3389 without jeopardizing all of my security, I have no answer.

Any other possibilities?

Would putting the computer to sleep after the RD session add some security? Then to access again use WOL? Or would this be just as easy for someone to wake and access?

 

[kurtd]

I signed up with NordVPN for a three day free trial

I opened up the port, but canyousee me could not see the port or my local IP

Since the local IP is masked, with the VPN, how to get through it if you're not on the same network?

I am a newbie at this so I really need some detail on how to understand it

The point of a VPN is to connect you to another network securely. The service you signed up for connects you to their network and won't do anything for you in this situation. You need a VPN router or service that connects to your own home network. Once connected, you're basically inside the network as if you were at home.

 

[jssmarathon]

The point of a VPN is to connect you to another network securely. The service you signed up for connects you to their network and won't do anything for you in this situation. You need a VPN router or service that connects to your own home network. Once connected, you're basically inside the network as if you were at home.

So I downloaded and installed a logmein Hamachi network but stuck there.

Do I create a vpn and connect to that adapter??

 

[Corwin_Amber]

jssmarathon, you need to establish a vpn between your device and an endpoint at the edge or inside your network. Usually you would connect to your router. If it is not yours and / or does not allow establishing a vpn connection, you could set up a vpn router inside your network and forward the ports on your provider router, depending in the protocol.

I am sorry about the limitation of teamviewer, I never encountered it. It seems, that they do this, when they suspect commercial usage - there is a faq regarding this. Unfortunately, the licenses are absurdely expensive, IMO.

 

[kurtd]

According to the reviews, this works from anywhere. PC Remote Pro https://forums.windowscentral.com/e...2Fpc-remote-pro%2F9nblggh18202&token=oQcSePAL

Probably no continuum yet.