Remote Desktop
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Easiest-to-use browser-based remote; nice feel and implementation |
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Well-balanced in price and features; good for remote file access and tech support |
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Inexpensive annual plan; good for those who require basic access to files, email |
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Pricey but full of options; not the easiest to use, poor setup and performance |
NextAdvisor Blog Headlines
eHarmony Free Communication Weekend 9/3 ? 9/6
Today through Monday (9/3 – 9/6) you can join eHarmony and communicate with matches for free. And when they say "free", they mean it. You don't even need to provide a credit card, and there is absolutely no obligation. So go ahead and give it a spin – you never know who you might meet!
Poor money mule not so poor
Robert Siciliano is a NextAdvisor.com Expert Guest Blogger ?Money mules? may be unsuspecting Americans who act as shipping managers, do the dirty work for the bad guy, and open bank accounts, too. Sometimes the mule may be a foreigner, traveling to the United States specifically to open bank accounts. Mules often get hooked into a [...]
iTunes Ping privacy: Part 2
Yesterday we looked at the privacy settings of Apple's new social networking product Ping. One thing that we didn't discuss is how Ping handles usernames. It turns out that it handles them somewhat badly. Your Ping username is tied to to your account, meaning your actual first and last name. This name will replace the [...]
Apple iTunes: Ping privacy
It's "Facebook meets Twitter meets iTunes," that's how Steve Jobs explained Ping, Apple's new social networking addition to iTunes. When Jobs announced Ping yesterday, he made a big point about how easy the privacy is to manage. Having covered Facebook privacy on this blog before, we were curious to see how Apple's Ping would avoid [...]
Q: Do I have to leave my computer on for MagicJack to work?
The following is an actual user-submitted question: Q: Do I have to leave my computer on for MagicJack to work? A: Yes, you do. Alas, the MagicJack is not really magic at all (though it is a jack, so they're half right). While the MagicJack uses VoIP (Voice of Internet Protocol) technology, it's different from [...]
Exclusive Online-Only Trusted ID 10% Discount
NextAdvisor.com has partnered with Trusted ID to offer an exclusive 10% discount on their identity theft protection service. This is an online-only, limited time offer, and there is no coupon code required. All you need to do is click on any Trusted ID link on our site. Trusted ID is one of our top reviewed [...]
Does the Trusted ID family plan include my partner and myself? Also, does Tru...
Q. Does the Trusted ID family plan include my partner and myself? Also, does Trusted ID offer monitoring of public records and the Internet black market? A. The Trusted ID family plan includes all household members living at the same address, related or not. So you and your partner are eligible, as long as you [...]
I don't have a computer, is there a number I can call for a free credit report?
Q: I don't have a computer, is there a number I can call for a free credit report? A: Yes, there is. You can request your free annual credit report by phone or by mail, as well as online at annualcreditreport.com. If you prefer to call, the number is 1-877-322-8228. If you'd like to mail [...]
Kaspersky 2011 reviewed by NextAdvisor
We've spent some time with Kaspersky Internet Security 2011, the first of our Internet security vendors to release an update. We installed it on two machines and ran scans, did some web surfing, and played around with its special features. The verdict? Check our review of Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 to find out.
The great iTunes-PayPal hack that mightn't be a hack at all
Many iTunes customers are finding their PayPal accounts suddenly drained of cash due to unauthorized charges. No one knows the cause, but that doesn't stop people from guessing. Some blame Apple (because people love blaming Apple), some blame a Microsoft vulnerability, and some blame iTunes users themselves. We'll withhold judgment, but all are possibilities, and [...]
Q: I am interested in having Yahoo! host my website. I am currently using Ho...
Q: I am interested in having yahoo host my website. I am currently using Homestead, or Intuit. Can you advise me? A: We think Yahoo! is a great choice for web hosting. If you're coming from Intuit, you'll be right at home with the interface. We were generally unimpressed with Intuit's web hosting, finding it [...]
My daughter is 21 years old and attending college out of state. Can she be in...
Q: My daughter is 21 years old and attending college out of state. Can she be included along with myself and wife on a single identity theft family plan? Would there be additional costs or limitations? A: Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your daughter will need to sign up for her [...]
The NextAdvisor guide to parental control software setup
Parental control software allows parents to monitor the Internet activity of their kids, set online time limits, as well as institute blocking policies for forbidden content. Not all parental control software is created equal, of course, and our rigorous review process really sorted the good from the bad. But even the best parental control software [...]
Facebook will let your friends say where you are (whether you are, or not)
Facebook is entering the location-sharing game to compete with the likes of Foursquare, meaning you can now add your location to the list of things you're oversharing. But as with all Facebook features, the devil is in the details. Because Facebook wants to do more than just let you check into a location. They want [...]
I had to uninstall Carbonite, so I was not connected for a day. Will this cau...
Q:I had to uninstall Carbonite, so I was not connected for a day. Will this cause an issue with Carbonite when I reinstall? A: It shouldn't make any difference to Carbonite. When you reinstall, you will likely need to enter your username and password again. Other than that, it will be almost as if you [...]
Did you know?
Remote desktop access isn't just for accessing your own files away from home. If you frequently find yourself helping out a friend or relative with their PC, you can use remote desktop to assist them with technical support without leaving the comfort of your own home. Using remote desktop, you can watch their screen and walk them through essential steps, or take control and do it yourself. Most remote desktop services allow you to send messages via chat, and some even let you use VoIP to communicate by voice.
View our full comparison and reviews of the best remote desktop services
Control all your PCs
Say you're on a trip when something comes up at work and you need to make changes to a file that only you have access to. Use a remote computer to access your work computer and it'll be like you're right there. But remote desktop is not just for work. You can also use it to run your home network. If you have children who have computers, you can access their PCs to run anti-virus programs or monitor their activity. If you use a media PC for your home entertainment needs, you can use remote desktop to control it from any room in the house. It also makes file sharing a breeze: drag and drop photos or other personal documents from your host PC onto your remote (and vice-versa).
Browser-based or remote client
Some services use your browser for remote viewing and control, and some use a separate piece of remote desktop software. Deciding which one is best for you will depend on how you plan on using remote access. Browser-based remotes are easy, because you can access your host computer through pretty much any web browser with minimal downloads (you almost always have to download a small Active-X component for the browser). The only disadvantage is that these are often slower with more limited graphics performance. Remote desktop programs that use a separate software client often offer better performance and more features. These tend to be better for those who will always use a certain computer for their remote (such as a remote computer at home to access a host PC at work). Either way, make sure you're using a computer that you trust.
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