What is the program used for external computer control?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around programs used for external computer control, specifically focusing on remote desktop applications and their functionalities. Participants share experiences and knowledge regarding various software options available for remote access, including built-in features and third-party applications.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a personal experience with a program that allowed a tech support person to control their computer remotely, prompting a query about the name of such software.
  • Another participant mentions Windows XP's built-in remote desktop client, noting that it allows remote control but blanks the local screen, and references commercial alternatives from Citrix that maintain the local display.
  • VNC is introduced as a free alternative that allows screen sharing and control across different operating systems, provided the target computer has the service running and a password set.
  • A participant emphasizes that remote control requires a service running on the target computer and that unauthorized access would pose significant security risks.
  • Windows' "remote assistance" feature is mentioned, which is suggested to be based on the remote desktop functionality, with a note on the necessity of admin access for operation.
  • Another participant shares their use of RealVNC for remote connections, specifying the need for a static IP address.
  • Dameware and Windows SMS client are mentioned as tools used in professional settings for remote access to machines.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present various software options and functionalities, but there is no consensus on a single preferred program. The discussion includes multiple competing views on the best tools for remote access.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of familiarity with different remote access tools, and some mention specific requirements such as static IP addresses and admin access, which may not be universally applicable.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals seeking to understand different remote desktop applications, their functionalities, and the requirements for using them in both personal and professional contexts.

Math Jeans
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I was recently having problems with a program for my school, so I called one of the school tech guys to get some help about it. We had a long talk, and eventually, he asked me for some other informations about my computer including my IP address (I can't remember the other stuff). He then told me to let go of my mouse, and then my computer started doing things on its own.

I know there are programs that allow you to do this with other people's computers because at my old school, an admin would use it to monitor the school's computers, and one of my classmates had a Microsoft Word conversation with her.

I was wondering what this program is called, and how I can get a hold of it :biggrin:.

EDIT: I found the program. This is going to be fun.
 
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There are two main ones.
WindowsXP has a built in client for remote desktop, this let's you takeover a remote computer and use the keyboard and mouse - but it blanks the screen.
There are commercial versions from Cytrix that let you keep the local screen on, of you are on a university net with an MS domain that is most likely.
The remote user has to have a login on your computer, or in this case a domain account.

There is also a free program called VNC which allows anyone to connect to your computer (with a passwd) and you can both share the screen, keyb and mouse. The advantage of this is that it runs on windows/Linux/Mac and the machines at each end can be different types.
 
These kinds of programs require that some kind of service is running on the target computer -- you cannot just go control other peoples' computers at random, because, obviously, that would be a huge security problem.

- Warren
 
Windows has a "remote assistance" applet which, I assume, is based off the remote desktop applet (remote desktop came first). Obviously, what Warren says about it is correct: the service needs to be enabled and you need admin level access to access it (ie, the admin username and password).
 
Here at work we use Dameware, at other jobs I've been at where i had to remote to someone's machine, we used Windows SMS client.
 

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