It's an increasingly common scenario: Grandpa is having trouble with his computer, but the granddaughter to whom he regularly turns for help lives a couple of hundred kilometres away. They could try to discuss the problem by phone, but that often leads to more confusion than the problem itself. In situations like this, a remote desktop system might be the best bet. Using such a system lets people and companies access a computer from afar to apply some fixes.
Despite its advantages, anyone using remote desktop systems needs to be aware that they're not always a cure, and they do carry some risks.
"The PC user is allowing someone else to look at a computer's functions," says Josef Reitberger of German computer magazine Chip. That other person might be a relative or a friend, or it could be a professional in computer services.
"On top of this, there are a variety of other options, such as allowing remote control of a PC via a mobile phone or a tablet," says Reitberger.
But how does it work?
"These programmes transmit the contents of a computer's screen to a distant computer, while transmitting inputs from the far-away keyboard and mouse to the device being fixed," says Reitberger.
That allows a person to take control of another machine from anywhere else in the world, so long as he has an internet connection.
Remote desktop programmes also offer a variety of other functions, like chat or the ability to transfer files.
But the remote work has its limitations. If the target computer won't even boot up or there's some problem with the internet, then there's no way to help remotely.
And don't even imagine you can join Grandpa watching his Netflix movies or subscription sports channels via a remote desktop.
"There would be problems with the transmission of videos, 3D and sound - quality here is usually pretty bad or, depending on the software, doesn't work at all," explains Christian Herzog of German IT industry association Bitkom.
There are also a few risks to consider amid remote access' benefits - primarily the fact that it does open a door to one's personal PC.
"The basic security problem is obvious from a technical viewpoint: I allow access to my computer with remote desktop software," warns Reitberger. So long as the software is active, it's possible to access all the data on the target computer.
There are also potential security problems that could become obvious when transmitting data.
"Generally, the transferred data is not encrypted, which means it can be tapped en route, giving thieves quick access to keystrokes and login information," says Herzog.
While it is possible to encrypt the connection, that can quickly overwhelm some users.
Reitberger has another problem with remote desktop. A lot of remote-desktop solutions do not allow direct computer-to-computer connections. Instead, data is transmitted via the server of the company offering the service.
That's because "with a normal DSL connection, the DSL router's firewall will block access via the internet from even being made." Systems get around that with a connection to the corporate servers. Take precautions if you decide to set up the software.
"Anyone who wants to use software that allows direct communication between two computers has to configure their firewalls appropriately, which means keeping them open," says Reitberger. But this means there is then an increased risk of attacks from the internet. He says these kinds of settings should only be installed by professionals who know exactly what they're doing.
Remember that it's possible to also set up the remote connections with smartphones and tablets.
"But, since the high resolution of a desktop is usually being displayed on a smaller tablet screen, it can quickly become hard to get an overview," says Herzog.
A test by German magazine Com Professional of five remote desktop tools gave the most points to Tool TeamViewer: "A strong all-around system for remote control, along with a meeting function," read the review. It also costs nothing, if you want it for personal use.
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