Remote desktop

MORPH3US

buglawton wrote: »

All that Logmein does is set up the encryption protocol, then the 2 computers find the shortest/fastest route between themselves, the main traffic does not go via Logmein - in your case this route could be within your own home network. Why bother installing anything extra if Logmein is working well?

So are you saying that if I control my home desktop which is connected to my home wireless network, from my home laptop which is also connected to my home wireless network, that it isn't using my internet connection at all?

Psychofly

Logmein requires an internet connection to actually work but the remote control session will take the fastest route so even though the Logmein authentication is done via the web, if the PC is on the same network as the other PC then the remote session information will only be transmitted across your home network.

If you decide to go down the VNC route however I would choose UltraVNC over any other VNC as it has a host of extra options like file transfer, scaling etc that not all the others have.

Personally I'd stick with Logmein though. It's what I use for all my remote access outwith work.

bonzer

MORPH3US wrote: »

So are you saying that if I control my home desktop which is connected to my home wireless network, from my home laptop which is also connected to my home wireless network, that it isn't using my internet connection at all?

Maybe. Not quite how I read it. It says it tries to set up a direct connection if it can get through the firewalls on the respective client and host machines, otherwise it forwards packets via one of their servers. So may or may not use your internet connection depending on how things are set up.

https://secure.logmein.com/documentation/Security/wp_lmi_security.pdf

It also requires software to be installed on the host according to their web site. So you do have to install something (see page 2):

https://secure.logmein.com/documentation/Pro/Free_Pro_GettingStartedGuide.pdf

I'd still use VNC, your data definitely won't go via anyone else's servers and will stay on your home network. You can use it without installing client software if you really want to (the server can send a Java applet) although the client is very light weight anyway. It is also genuinely free so there's no company involved who may decide to start charging you one day.

Psychofly

VNC is notoriously poor at security and I would trust Logmein to secure my data way more than I would trust VNC. Even at the most simple level cracking a VNC password is child's play.

VNC is also less reliable and sessions can often drop for no reason... we used it for a long time at work and finally abandoned it totally because it was just too unreliable.

That's not to say it a bad program, it's just there are better options around. The chances of a home network being configured by default in such a way that the Logmein traffic couldn't work internally on the network and was forced to go via the web is very very slim.

bonzer

Psychofly wrote: »

VNC is notoriously poor at security and I would trust Logmein to secure my data way more than I would trust VNC. Even at the most simple level cracking a VNC password is child's play.

TightVNC tells you to use an SSH tunnel in the instructions. Ultra VNC supplies an encryption plug-in (the method I preder). Either way, the original poster wants to use it on his home network so hopefully no-one in the middle sniffing the network.

Personally I don't like the idea of trusting an outside company. I'd rather set things up myself.

Psychofly wrote: »

VNC is also less reliable and sessions can often drop for no reason

Not been my experience.

Psychofly

bonzer wrote: »

Personally I don't like the idea of trusting an outside company. I'd rather set things up myself.

Heavily dependant on ability though. One of the biggest security gaps in computing is people thinking they have set something up correctly but due to a lack of understanding they're actually leaving themselves wide open to attack, made all the more risky due to the fact they think they're secure so are less cautious in future. I'm not saying that's the case with you mate, just saying it's something to be aware of for other people. Most people in a home network will stick VNC in and use it... after all what's the chances of someone sniffing on their network ? Well.. that's the people that get caught out because they think that it'll never happen to them, it's only businesses that are affected.

As for VNC's reliability we used it on around 1500 PCs and had frequent problems which is why we changed, and changing the setup on 1500 PCs is no small task so it's not one we entered into lightly. VNC is fine for many things but as long as people are aware of the limitations and risks associated. Logmein likewise has limitations and risks but at least you're handing responsibility for the security of it over to someone with a tried and tested configuration. However, nothing is infallible and Logmein and VNC both have their own risks.

daily_2

Most people with a home network have routers, therefore there is no security risk using VNC, the router will block any attempt to scan port 5900/5800. This is an internal network, ssh and encryption plugins are not required. Logmein (even if it works) is a sledgehammer to crack a nut, and a security risk in itself.

Psychofly

No security risk ?! If someone knows what they're doing they'll hack into a home network with no problems whatsoever. If there's no risk then why do companies need expensive firewalls if a home router will block any attempt. If someone wants to get in they will and having VNC on another machine on your network gives the hacker an easy route. I'm not saying I can do it but there are plenty of people who can. Both Logmein and VNC have risks but I'd take the Logmein risks over VNC any day.

buglawton

OP mentioned right at the start that he already has Logmein installed - OP seemed more concerned about the unnecessary traffic going out onto the internet and back. As I suggested and as others seem to confirm, data traffic will most probably stay within you own router zone on your side of the router's firewall, once you have authenticated. Someone may have actually tested this.

What Logmein does to is regularly re-authenticate at 5 min intervals with Logmein's servers. On a large LAN this can indeed affect network performance as this discussion indicates. On a home network I suspect the effect is negligible. Only catch with Logmein Free is, no file transfer allowed.