Remote administration program. Programs for remote control of the local network. Pros and cons of using Windows Remote Desktop

Some of you, after reading the title of the article, probably wondered: “Why do you need to control another computer over the Internet?” It turns out that it is necessary, and first of all, for potential readers of my blog - pensioners and teapots.

Don't think that I want you to learn this in order to take control of your neighbor's computer, whose dog pisses you off with his constant barking and starts doing something incredible with him, terrifying him and his dog. Of course not. And without his knowledge, such management is unlikely to succeed. I will not intrigue you, I will move on to the topic.

Why you need to manage another computer via the Internet

Of course, first of all, in order for someone more experienced and versed in
computer technology, for example, your friend or relative living far away from you could, if necessary, help you solve your PC remotely.

Yes, even not necessarily a problem, but simply set up some kind of program or help to issue the same application for a passport via the Internet. Or another case: you are already a fairly experienced user and you need to sometimes look at your home PC from your “travel” laptop while you are away.

At least in order to print some kind of documentary, which is the only one there. Or for some other reason, you never know? This is where you need to manage others, that is, your home computer via the Internet.

Or take an enterprise that has its own local network. Imagine how a system administrator will have to run if you need to run a program somewhere or bring another PC out of a freeze. And if there are hundreds of computers and not just one, but in different cases? You have to be a sprinter here. And then, after a while, you will erase your legs to one place. I hope I dispelled your doubts about the uselessness of this case?

How remote administration works

Of course, these are not hacker tricks and various trojans. Although the methods of programs used to remotely control a computer via the Internet are very similar. And they differ from viruses only in that they act openly and naturally, with the mutual consent of the owners of the PCs involved in this process.

They consist of two parts. The first is the server, the second is the client side. The server is installed on the computer that needs to be controlled, and the client part is installed on the one that the administrator uses. In this, remote administrators are very similar to Trojans. But the goals, as you know, they are completely different.

You can connect to the PC where this server is installed only by knowing its IP address, as well as the password, which must be set on it in order to prevent anyone from accessing it via the Internet. And then this very “anybody” will be able to work on your “brainchild” no worse than any Trojan.

Influence of the type of ip-address and problem solving

If you have a static IP address to access the Internet, then there will be no problems. But if it is static, but is part of the network of a house or district, and those, in turn, have a dynamic (that is, changing from time to time) address for accessing the Internet, then difficulties may already arise. Well, just if you are not a member of any network, but access the Internet at a dynamic address - the same problem.

But these problems are solvable. There are, for example, such special sites as No-Ip.com or DynDNS.com, where you can register, install an updater program and get a permanent address through them: user.no-ip.com. True, these sites are in English, but if necessary, I'm sure you can find others in Russian too.

This is for information, but in general I would not bother with it. Currently, there are many ready-made programs that each time take over all this technical work with registering the current address on their server and indicate which address to look for your PC on the Internet.

But if there is a need for a static IP address (for example, I need it for a number of other reasons), then this can be done through your provider. For those who don't know, an ISP is an internet service provider. In our city in Bashinformsvyaz, today the connection costs 150 rubles, the monthly fee is 50 rubles. Agree not such a great amount even for pensioners.

Possibilities after remote connection

I will not talk about the amenities that appear after that. This was said at the very beginning when we figured out what it was for. And what are the specific opportunities directly related to management? Here are the main ones:

• see the desktop, or rather a copy, of the remote PC on your screen;
• intercept control at any time even with the keyboard, even with the mouse;
• run any programs that are installed on the managed computer and install new ones as needed;
• open and, if necessary, modify files;
• transfer any files over the Internet in forward and reverse directions;

So, thanks to remote administration, we get full control of another computer via the Internet. Virtually unlimited control. Of course, this is with the full consent of its owner. Only for this you need a communication channel speed of at least 256Kbps and a special program.

Programs to control another computer via the Internet

For these purposes, there are enough programs, both paid and free. I will list the most common and of course free:

• LogMeIn Hamachi

  Allows you to combine up to 16 PCs from different parts of the world into your own virtual network via the Internet. In addition to management, there are many other possibilities, up to the organization of network games;

• Ultra VNC

  It can organize remote control even when all other programs are powerless, but for beginners the settings are very difficult, and there is no support for the Russian language; / li>

• Ammyy

  Externally, the program is very much like Team Viewer. But its working principle is fundamentally different. It is tied to the PC hardware, and therefore it is enough to allow the program with this ID to the computer once and in the future it will be able to connect to it without any requests.

• Team Viever

  First of all, this program is good because it does not care about your static or dynamic address. Working with it, without exaggeration, is a hundred times easier than with the native “Remote Assistance” of Windows. We only need to install the program on the PC that we are going to use in this process and create our account in the Team Viewer service.

Installing TeamViewer

There is nothing complicated here, but since my blog is designed primarily for pensioners and dummies, we will analyze in detail and focus on some of the nuances. In the first window, select "Install":

On this, I think, we can finish.

Good luck to you! See you soon on the PenserMan blog pages.

Today we will look at programs for remote access to a computer that are relevant to system administrators, as well as users to solve technical problems, use resources, or transfer files between your and a remote PC.

The remote access program will help you control and manage the desktop of a third-party machine, settings and functions, share material, chat, run installed software, and much more.

Programs	Russian language	License	Rating	File access	Phone control
	Yes	Free	10	Yes	Yes
	Yes	Free	10	Yes	Not
	Yes	Free	9	Yes	Not
	Yes	Free	9	Yes	Yes
	Not	Free	8	Yes	Yes
	Yes	Free	8	Yes	Not
	Yes	Free	7	Yes	Not
	Yes	Free	8	Not	Yes
	Yes	Free	10	Yes	Yes
	Not	Trial	6	Yes	Yes
	Yes	Free	7	Yes	Not

Let's start our review with a popular assistant for accessing third-party PC management, which has useful options and high quality work. TimViewer has a fairly simple operation algorithm, creates interactive conferences for up to 25 people, records videos and screenshots of current actions, allows you to share files, share a screen, chat and send voice messages. The program supports modern operating systems and bypasses various protections such as firewalls, proxies, etc. To work in the program, you must install the product on both computers and enter the access code. Functioning in the utility requires an Internet connection.

The utility performs a remote connection to another PC, providing access to the software, functionality and desktop of a third-party device. AeroAdmin provides the connected user with access rights, has different connection modes, opens multisessions, selects the picture quality for the channel and encrypts the connection. Clipboard synchronization, transferring files and resuming them when the connection is broken are also available. The program is distributed in four versions, the free version is just right for home use.

Professional software with extensive functionality and a well-implemented interface for connecting and controlling a remote computer. In its work it uses the secure protocols SSH, Telnet, Rlogin, SCP, SFTP and Raw, the connection itself is made through the Network, confirmed with a password and protected from interception. In the settings, you can switch between options, select remote connection options, port forwarding, and use hotkeys. The client has a file manager, connects to a Unix system, generates an RSA cipher algorithm, and protects copied files from theft.

This client will help you access via the Internet to remotely control another computer and carry out high-speed data exchange between devices. EniDesk guarantees the high quality of the broadcast picture, has sound broadcast settings, settings for blocking the mouse and keyboard of the client machine, as well as passwords for auto-connection without prompting. The operation of the software is to establish a connection between two PCs by assigning email addresses.

An excellent application optimized for different versions of Windows for controlling a remote PC and broadcasting images. The utility allows you to easily connect to a local machine, configure access to it and synchronize with mobile devices. RemotePC has built-in administration options, extensive options for remote control, Remote Mouse and Remote Access add-ons. Support for proxy servers is available, hiding user IP addresses, convenient identification with a password and login, a single point for changing parameters. The program is convenient and understandable in management, despite the English-language menu.

Radmin controls the remote computer from the user's, providing fast and high-quality work without freezes and problems. It is considered one of the best in its category and justifies this title with its capabilities and performance. Work in the software consists in setting up remote access, transferring the necessary material and using the functionality simultaneously on both PCs. The user can use text and voice chats, exchange files and open access to the desktop. The only negative is only a month of free use.

A high-quality program that remotely controls other PCs using LAN and INTERNET computer networks. Helps set up the control panel on the connected computer, authorize Microsoft, or transfer files. The remote device is controlled using your mouse and keyboard, support for multiple monitors, viewing the screen of another PC through a browser using a Java viewer, and working through a proxy server.

A simple service for accessing and controlling a remote computer, managing the desktop and various device functions. Having received remote control of a computer, you can exchange information and files over a local network, open streaming media content, synchronize with android devices, edit office files, and more. In the Splashtop settings, you can adjust the screen resolution, “response” parameters and stream pictures. You need to start working in the software by creating an account or authorizing with a Google account.

The work of the program is to form a "client-server" chain that organizes the management of a third-party desktop. When remotely connected to the system of another PC, a high degree of encryption of the transmitted material is formed, thanks to which users can exchange files, conduct seminars, online presentations, and more. Supremo Remote Desktop has a file manager, supports a proxy server and allows you to make a huge number of connections, applying a separate password to each. The downside is the 21 day trial period and the lack of the "conference" option.

PC remote control programs are well known to any system administrator or technical support employee, since in their daily activities they are constantly faced with the task of administering servers and PCs of local network users. The most common utility for remote PC control is, of course, Remote Desktop Connection, which is included with the Windows operating system. This fact is explained not so much by its functionality, but by the fact that it is an integral part of the OS, and therefore it is not necessary to purchase it separately. As for the functionality of this utility, in practice it is usually not enough, so specialized third-party software packages are often used. In this article, we will consider specialized software packages designed for remote control of computers.

If you try to classify remote control programs, then they can be conditionally divided into two types: utilities that provide access to the desktop of a remote PC, and utilities that provide access to the command line of a remote PC. The first of these provide users with the ability to work with a remote PC in the same way as with a local one. Utilities of the second type allow you to automate network operation by running the same or different applications on several selected network computers, as well as, for example, creating a schedule for launching programs on remote PCs. It is completely pointless to try to compare these two types of utilities, as they are used in different situations and for different purposes.

Note that most remote control programs operate on the "client-server" principle, that is, they imply the presence of the server and client parts of the program, which are respectively installed on the managed computer and on the PC from which the control is performed. To gain control over a remote PC, it is necessary that the appropriate program module (server part) be launched on it. Some remote management utilities allow you to remotely install the server part (if you have the appropriate administrative rights), and sometimes this procedure is completely transparent to the local PC user (as a rule, in this case, the server part is installed as a service on a remote PC). But some utilities require a "manual" installation of the server part of the program.

In this article, we will present to your attention remote control programs focused on use with Windows platforms. It should be noted that in the process of preparing the publication, we looked at several dozen utilities for remote control of a PC (fortunately, finding them on the Internet is not difficult). However, as it turned out, not all utilities are efficient and generally deserve mention. Therefore, we will focus only on those that really work and have been tested by us in a real local network.

Anyplace Control 3.3 (www.anyplace-control.com )

Anyplace Control 3.3 is a client-server application.

The Host module is installed on the managed PC, and the Admin module of the program is installed on the PC from which control is performed. Of course, it is possible to simultaneously install both modules on any PC in the local network. But the most interesting thing is that the Anyplace Control 3.3 program provides the ability to remotely install the Host module on any computer on the local network. And all that is needed for this is to select a computer on the local network and start the procedure for remote installation of the Host module. Naturally, for this you need to have administrator rights.

Note that the Anyplace Control 3.3 program supports the Russian-language interface.

Anyplace Control 3.3 allows you to work in two modes: view and control. In the first mode, it is possible to display the desktop of a remote PC on the screen and observe the user's actions, and in the control mode, it is possible to completely intercept control of the remote PC. An interesting feature of the remote control mode is that the work of the remote PC user himself is not blocked. However, in both modes, the user of the remote PC receives a notification in the form of an icon in the system tray that his computer is "under the hood".

To connect to a remote PC, you must first select it from the list. The built-in scanner allows you to display all computers on the local network (domain or workgroup), and you can configure the filter to display only PCs that already have the client part of the program installed, that is, those that you can connect to.

After selecting the computers to which you want to connect, they are added to the list and become available for remote management (Fig. 1).

Rice. 1. The main window of the Anyplace program
Control 3.3 with a displayed list of computers,

The undoubted advantage of this utility is that it allows you to remotely control several PCs at the same time. In this case, it is possible to simultaneously execute commands such as shutdown, reboot and end the user session on managed PCs.

To prevent unauthorized access to the PC during the installation of Anyplace Control 3.3, you can set a password to access the managed computer. Other interesting features of the program include setting up traffic encryption for remote PC control and the use of a shared clipboard between the managed computer and the PC from which the control is performed. True, it will not work to transfer pictures through this buffer, but text fragments are transferred without problems.

In conclusion, we note that the demo version of Anyplace Control 3.3 is valid for 30 days after installation. The price of the full version of the program depends on the number of PCs on which it is installed, at the rate of $17.5 per PC.

Access Remote PC 4.12.2 (www.access-remote-pc.com )

The Access Remote PC 4.12.2 utility also belongs to the category of client-server applications and allows you to intercept the desktop and get full access to any PC where the server part of this program is installed from any other computer (Fig. 2). Note that the server part of the program is installed on the managed PC, and the client part is installed on the computer from which the control is performed. When installing the server part of the application on computers subject to remote control, the user name for which remote control is authorized and the access password are specified.

Rice. 2. Transfer files between computers
in the Access Remote PC 4.12.2 utility

The Access Remote PC 4.12.2 program provides the ability to control computers both over a local network and over the Internet, and even through modem connections. With remote control of the computer, the work of the local user is not blocked, and the local user can find out that the computer is controlled from the outside, as well as who exactly controls the computer, by the icon in the system tray. In addition, the server part of the program allows, if necessary, to disconnect all remote users from the PC, change passwords, and view statistics for each remote control session.

Access Remote PC 4.12.2 provides two modes of operation: full control mode of the remote PC and monitoring mode.

The disadvantages of this utility include the impossibility of remote simultaneous control of multiple PCs using a single interface. However, you can run multiple connection sessions at the same time (each in its own window), and then you can manage multiple remote computers. Another disadvantage of the program is the impossibility of remote installation of its server part.

The advantages of Access Remote PC include the fact that it can work with firewalls, supports dynamic IP addresses and, importantly, practically does not slow down even on slow network connections, including modem ones. In addition, this utility allows you to easily transfer files between computers, for which a special Transfer Files mode is provided (Fig. 2), and also supports working with the clipboard, that is, it allows you to synchronize clipboards on a local and remote PC, which simplifies the transfer of text fragments between PC. Another advantage of the program is the support for encryption when transmitting data using the RC4 algorithm with a 160-bit key.

The free version of the program is fully functional, but the number of launches is limited - only 30 times.

LanHelper 1.61 (www.hainsoft.com)

LanHelper 1.61 (Fig. 3) is a small utility that allows you to automate the process of managing a local network.

Rice. 3. Main window of LanHelper 1.61 utility

With its help, you can remotely shutdown or restart several computers on the network at the same time. Applications can be launched on remote PCs (if they support launching from the command line), in addition, simultaneous launch of the same applications on a group of managed PCs is supported.

The LanHelper utility has a built-in set of commands that can be executed on remote PCs (Figure 4). At the same time, it is possible to specify the time when the application is launched, and the time interval according to which the applications are launched on the PC (minimum interval 1 minute). You can also schedule applications to run on remote PCs. The most important advantage of the program is that it does not require installation of the client part on remote PCs to implement all its features.

Rice. 4. Remote command execution
simultaneously on multiple computers
using the LanHelper 1.61 utility

In addition to remote command execution, the LanHelper 1.61 utility allows you to view, start and stop various services on remote PCs (Fig. 5), as well as send messages to users (to implement this feature, you must activate the Messenger service on all PCs).

Rice. 5. Working with services on a remote PC
using LanHelper 1.61 utility

To implement the ability to run applications and execute commands on remote PCs, you must have administrator rights.

The demo version of LanHelper LanHelper 1.61 has a limited validity period of 30 days and a license price of $49.95.

DameWare NT Utilities 5.5.0.2 (www.dameware.com)

DameWare NT Utilities 5.5.0.2 is a powerful remote LAN administration system. It is based on a set of Microsoft Windows NT administration utilities, united by a very convenient single interface. Most of the included utilities in the Microsoft Windows NT administration utilities have advanced features, and it also contains a number of unique utilities. In particular, the package includes the DameWare Mini Remote Control utility, which allows you to fully control the desktop of a remote PC, as well as a utility for implementing command line mode on a remote PC.

When DameWare NT Utilities 5.5.0.2 is launched, the entire network is automatically scanned and the main program window displays all available domains and workgroups, as well as computers in the selected domain/workgroup (Fig. 6).

Rice. 6. Main window of DameWare NT Utilities 5.5.0.2

Let's briefly list the features of the DameWare NT Utilities 5.5.0.2 package: with its help, you can view information about hard drives on remote PCs, get acquainted with the contents of the Event Log, view information about connected printers, running processes and services, about installed applications, collect detailed information about PC configuration, receive service information about PCs activated by users, and much more. There are also additional features: you can quickly edit the registry on a remote PC, send messages to users via the Messenger service, remotely shut down or restart computers, and, as already mentioned, take full control of a remote PC through the command line or desktop.

The undoubted advantage of this software package is that for the implementation of remote control it is not required to manually install the client part of the program on a remote PC. When you try to control a remote PC through the desktop or command line, DameWare NT Utilities 5.5.0.2 automatically prompts you to install and start the required service on the remote PC. In this case, the user of this remote PC will find out about the interception of control in a pop-up window that displays information about which particular PC the remote control is being performed from.

The advantages of DameWare NT Utilities 5.5.0.2 include the ability to simultaneously connect to multiple computers to manage them, as well as the fact that the remote control does not block the work of a local user.

All in all, this software package is a powerful and convenient network management tool.

The demo version of the program is fully functional, but with a limited validity period of 30 days. The price per license is $289. Alternatively, you can purchase the DameWare Mini Remote Control package separately for remote control of computers via the desktop, one license will cost $89.95.

Omniquad Instant Remote Control 2.2.9 (www.omniquad.com )

The current version of the Omniquad Instant Remote Control utility - 2.2.9 - is far from new, but still remains one of the best in its class.

The Omniquad Instant Remote Control 2.2.9 utility allows you to get full control over a remote PC through the desktop. A distinctive feature of this utility is that it does not require installation of the client part on the managed PC. When accessing a remote PC, the corresponding service is initially launched on it in hidden mode, and the user of the PC controlled using this program does not receive any notification and has no way of knowing that control of his computer has been intercepted. This allows you to use this utility for covert monitoring of user actions. Note that not all remote control utilities have the ability to control a PC without prior notice to the user.

When the program starts, the network is automatically scanned, and the computers in the network environment are displayed in the main program window (Fig. 7). After selecting any computer by pressing the Remote Control button, control of the remote PC is intercepted. The work of the local user is not blocked. In addition, it is possible to launch this utility in the mode of monitoring the desktop of a remote PC.

Rice. 7. The main window of the Omniquad Instant Remote Control 2.2.9 utility

Note that for remote control, you must have the appropriate rights to access the PC. If you use a firewall (Firewall) on a remote PC, you must open port 6003, which is used by this utility by default. In addition, you can assign any other port to Omniquad Instant Remote Control (and open ports can be scanned).

The disadvantage of the program is that it does not support simultaneous connection with several remote computers.

The demo version of the utility has a limited validity period of 30 days, the license price is $39.

EMCO Remote Desktop Professional 4.0 (www.emco.is )

In terms of functionality, this product (Fig. 8) is somewhat similar to DameWare NT Utilities 5.5.0.2. The EMCO Remote Desktop Professional software package is a set of functional tools for implementing remote control of a local network and monitoring its status.

Rice. 8. Main window of EMCO Remote Desktop Professional utility

When you start the program, you can activate a network scanner that allows you to collect detailed information about all computers on the local network, about applications installed on them, about running processes, about versions of the operating system, installed equipment, etc. In addition to automatically collecting information about network computers (this process takes a long time), PCs can also be added to the list manually.

The package allows you to remotely start and stop services, restart and shut down computers. The most interesting feature of this program is the ability to gain full control over a remote computer - just select the desired computer in the list and go to the Viewer tab. If you are managing a computer for the first time, then you need to install the NetServer service on the remote PC. This procedure is carried out remotely and is completely invisible to the local user. Once the NetServer service is running on a remote PC, you can connect to it, take full control of the management, and then work with the remote PC in the same way as with the local one. When managing a computer remotely, the work of a local user is not blocked; however, if you use the mouse at the same time, it is unlikely that anything will work.

Since the local user does not receive any notification that the computer is being controlled from outside, EMCO Remote Desktop Professional can be effectively used to covertly monitor user activities.

Another important advantage of the program is that it allows you to remotely control multiple PCs at the same time. In this case, a special window is assigned for each connection session with a remote PC.

Among the shortcomings of this program, we note the complexity of its configuration when using Windows XP SP2 on a managed PC. Moreover, as practice shows, the need for configuration depends on which patches are installed. Of course, the program is accompanied by step-by-step instructions for the changes that will have to be made in this case (more precisely, the program downloads the appropriate instructions from the site), but all this is rather inconvenient and impractical.

The demo version of the program is designed for 30 days and supports only 25 computers on the local network. The package price depends on the number of computers in the network: 50 computers (minimum quantity) - $135; 1000 computers - $1295

Radmin 3.0 Remote Control (www.radmin.com)

Of all the products we have reviewed, Famatech's Radmin 3.0 Remote Control utility is the "freshest" - its new version was released in early 2007.

This utility is designed to monitor and gain full control over a remote PC within a local network.

Radmin 3.0 Remote Control is equipped with only the most necessary tools for managing a remote PC and is very easy to configure (Fig. 9). Thanks to this, it is easy to master it. The utility works on the principle of a client-server application and includes two parts: the first (server) part is installed on the managed PC, and the second part is installed on the PC from which it is controlled.

Rice. 9. Main window of the Radmin 3.0 Remote Control utility

The disadvantages of the program include the lack of built-in tools for remote installation of the server part (Radmin Server) on a managed PC, so if you need to gain control over any PC on the network, you will first have to install the appropriate module on it locally.

A serious, in our opinion, disadvantage of this utility is the lack of a built-in network scanner, which does not allow you to get a list of PCs that you can connect to.

Well, the last drawback that was discovered during testing of this program is that for the utility to work correctly, you need to configure or simply disable the Firewall on the managed PC if it uses Windows XP SP2.

The utility works in several modes: file transfer, full control, view only, Telnet, shutdown and command line mode. There is a built-in file manager with which files are transferred from one PC to another. The program keeps statistics of the traffic used and can encrypt data.

With the help of Radmin 3.0 Remote Control, you can manage both one remote computer and several at once, while each one has its own password. To provide an increased level of security, you can take additional precautions: enable password protection and create a list of banned IP addresses.

The latest version of the program has a lot of interesting innovations:

• support for Windows Vista;
• text and voice chat with the possibility of conferences and private messaging and password protection;
• enhanced security that provides protection against attacks and protection of active data on the network;
• different access rights for each user;
• IP filters to restrict access to specific IP addresses and subnets.

In general, it should be noted that this utility loses in its functionality to similar remote control utilities. The lack of a built-in network scanner, the need to install the Radmin Server module locally - all this significantly limits its functionality.

In conclusion, we note that the cost of a license for Radmin 3.0 Remote Control is $49 per PC.

Atelier Web Remote Commander 5.59 (www.atelierweb.com)

Atelier Web Remote Commander 5.59 (fig. 10) is a small utility that, by design, should provide complete control of a remote PC. It consists of two parts and works on the "client/server" principle. In addition, it provides the ability to remotely collect information about the hardware configuration of a PC, etc. However, it hardly makes sense to list all the features of the utility in this case, since it is so raw that it is unlikely to be used.

Rice. 10. Information window of the utility
Atelier Web Remote Commander 5.59

Of the obvious shortcomings, one can single out the lack of reference. In addition, the program does not have a built-in network scanner, which makes it necessary to explicitly enter the name or IP address of the computer to which you want to connect, which is extremely inconvenient. But the main drawback is that in order to connect to a remote PC, you first need to install the appropriate program module on it (there are no built-in tools for remote installation) and somehow configure it.

Unfortunately, no matter how we configured the program, we did not succeed in making a remote connection (the connection was made via a local network between two computers running Windows XP SP2). Although the program is paid (the demo version has a limited validity period), it is absolutely useless and inoperable. Our verdict - "into the furnace" such programs.

Remote Desktop Control 1.7 (www.remote-desktop-control.com )

The Remote Desktop Control 1.7 program belongs to the category of client-server applications, that is, the host module of the program is installed on the managed PC, and the Admin module is installed on the PC from which the control is performed.

In terms of its interface (Fig. 11) and functionality, the Remote Desktop Control 1.7 package is very similar to Anyplace Control 3.3, but it also has some important differences (and for the worse), for example, it lacks the ability to implement remote installation of the Host module on any local computer. networks. In addition, for the Remote Desktop Control 1.7 package to work, it is necessary to configure the Firewall on the managed computer (add the program to the list of allowed ones), while the Anyplace Control 3.3 program does this automatically.

Rice. 11. Main program window
Remote Desktop Control 1.7 with a displayed list of computers,
to which you can connect remotely

In terms of functionality, Remote Desktop Control 1.7 is similar to Anyplace Control 3.3: it allows you to work in two modes: view and control; in view mode, you can display the desktop of a remote PC on the screen and observe user actions, and in control mode, you can completely intercept control of a remote PC.

Utilities allow you to remotely control multiple PCs at the same time. This provides for the simultaneous execution on managed PCs of such commands as shutdown, reboot and end the user session.

In conclusion, we note that the demo version of Remote Desktop Control 1.7 is valid for 30 days after installation. The price of the full version of the program depends on the number of PCs on which it is installed - $15 per PC.

TightVNC for Windows 1.3.8 (www.tightvnc.com)

TightVNC for Windows 1.3.8 is an absolutely free utility for remote computer control that works on the principle of "client-server" and has two modules: TightVNC Viewer and TightVNC Server. The TightVNC Server module is installed on the managed PC, and the TightVNC Viewer is installed on the managed PC. There are no tools to remotely install the TightVNC Server module. In addition, before starting work, you must configure the TightVNC Server module by specifying a connection password. To connect to a remote PC, just specify its DNS name or IP address and select the connection type (Fig. 12).

Rice. 12. Connecting to a remote PC using the utility
TightVNC for Windows 1.3.8

The only function of TightVNC for Windows 1.3.8 is to get full access to the desktop of a remote computer and control it using the mouse and keyboard. Given that the utility is absolutely free, it can be recommended to home users.

UltraVNC 1.0.2 (www.uvnc.com)

The UltraVNC 1.0.2 utility is another completely free, but nevertheless very effective utility for remote control of a PC, working according to the "client-server" scheme. The UltraVNC Server module is installed on the managed computer, and the UltraVNC Viewer module is installed on the computer from which the management is performed. There are no tools for remote installation of the UltraVNC Server module in the program, so you need to install the modules locally.

The UltraVNC Server module has a lot of settings (Fig. 13) and allows you to set a password for the connection, select the ports used, etc.

Rice. 13. Configuring the UltraVNC Server module

When accessing the desktop of a remote PC in full control mode, the work of the local user is not blocked. In addition, the UltraVNC 1.0.2 utility offers a number of additional features. For example, there is a built-in chat with which you can exchange messages with a remote PC. It also provides the ability to transfer files. In addition, the UltraVNC 1.0.2 utility provides encryption of transmitted data, for which key exchange between computers is provided.

In general, it can be noted that the UltraVNC 1.0.2 utility is a highly efficient tool for remote PC control and can be recommended for both home users and corporate use (especially considering that the utility is free).

RealVNC (www.realvnc.com)

There are three versions of the RealVNC program: Free Edition, Personal Edition and Enterprise Edition, which differ from each other in functionality and cost.

RealVNC Free Edition has minimal functionality and is absolutely free. Actually, in this case we are talking only about the possibility of gaining access to the desktop of a remote PC.

RealVNC Personal Edition offers a number of additional features. First of all, this is traffic encryption using the AES algorithm with a key length of 128 bits (Fig. 14), and automatic generation of the encryption key is supported. In addition, it is possible to use user authentication, as well as transfer files between computers, and much more.

Rice. 14. Setting up traffic encryption
and user authentication
in RealVNC Personal Edition

A distinctive feature of the RealVNC Enterprise Edition variant is its multiplatform nature. That is, this program, having all the functionality of RealVNC Personal Edition, can be used to remotely control computers on which both Linux, Solaris, HP-UX and MAC operating systems are installed, as well as Windows 95/98/Me/NT 4/2000/ XP/2003/Vista.

The cost of the RealVNC program depends on the number of licenses (number of managed computers) and on the delivery option. For example, the Personal Edition costs $30 per license, while the Enterprise Edition costs $50 per license.

Hidden Administrator 1.5

Hidden Administrator 1.5 (Figure 15) is another free program for remote computer management, and, as the name suggests, it allows you to covertly monitor computers.

Rice. 15. Main window of the Hidden Administrator 1.5 utility

The program works on the principle of "client-server". The server part is installed on a managed computer, and there are no tools for remote installation.

In addition to the function of gaining access to the desktop of a remote computer in full control mode, Hidden Administrator 1.5 offers a number of additional features: get information about the configuration of a remote PC, exchange files with a remote PC, send messages to a remote PC, turn off or restart a remote computer, work with registry of a remote PC, receive and send the clipboard, run programs on a remote PC, and much more (Fig. 16). Listing everything that this program is capable of would take a lot of time. Note that the only thing she can't do is encrypt traffic. Naturally, it is possible to set a password for connecting to a remote PC and even configure an IP filter on computers from which remote control is possible.

Rice. 16. Select action with remote PC
in Hidden Administrator 1.5

This utility is the best in its class and can be recommended to home users.

TeamViewer (Russian Timviewer) is a free program (for personal use for non-commercial purposes) that allows you to establish incoming and outgoing remote connections to access other computers, exchange files between the controlling and managed machines, make video calls, take part in web conferences and much more.

Some features of TeamViewer for Windows

• Remote control of a computer or mobile device based on Android, iOS;
• Wake-on-LAN - turn on your computer from another computer using Timviewer in a local network or through a router;
• Ability to transfer files;
• Instant messaging: group chats, web chats, offline messaging, etc.;
• Remote printing;
• Installation as a system service to provide access to remote devices at any time;
• Synchronous clipboard;
• Support for multiple monitors;
• Saving individual connection settings for subsequent connections to computers, sorting them by groups, contacts;
• Manage remote devices using hotkeys;
• Cross-platform - Microsoft Windows, Chrome OS, iOS operating systems are supported;
• Availability of a portable version.

And this is not all the possibilities of Timweaver.

It is worth highlighting the simple and friendly user interface of TeamViewer in Russian, which helps to easily understand this program even for beginners who have not previously worked with software of this kind.

We also note the high level of security of TeamViewer 15 data exchange: the use of a cryptographic algorithm (private / public key RSA 2048) for data exchange and random passwords for one-time access, AES session encryption (256 bits), additional two-factor authentication, etc.

Also note that TeamViewer 15 is now fully compatible with (version 1909).

Download TeamViewer for Windows

On this page, the latest version of TeamViewer in Russian for Windows 32 and 64-bit is available for download.

Download TeamViewer 15 for free, without registration.

TeamViewer is a free program for remote control of a computer via the Internet.

Version: TeamViewer 15.4.4445

Size: 26 MB

Operating system: Windows

Russian language

Program status: Free

Developer: TeamViewer GmbH

Official site:

What's new in version: List of changes

Remote administration programs have always been popular. After all, it is very convenient to see what is being done on the computer, being in a completely different place. Remotely, you can help your friends solve some technical problems, check what your child is doing when he is alone at home, see how the download is going in a torrent client or encoding a large video.

Since smartphones and tablets have appeared in home local networks, along with computers and laptops, it has become obvious that the latter are incredibly convenient to use for remote control. If the data transfer rate is fast enough, then why not play a game installed on your computer while lying on the couch with a tablet? Or, say, not to watch an interesting movie? In addition, today's mobile devices can perfectly cope with the usual tasks that are assigned to programs for remote access.

On Google Play, you can find more than a dozen applications that can be used to organize remote control of computers running on Windows, Mac and Linux. Among them are the developments of well-known manufacturers of administration software, and programs created specifically for mobile devices. There are not so many free solutions among them. In this review, we tested four applications that allow you to work remotely on a computer from an Android smartphone or tablet.

⇡ Microsoft Remote Desktop

• Developer - Microsoft Corporation
• Size - 4.4 MB
• Price - free

A proprietary utility from Microsoft for remote control of a computer from Android was released quite recently - at the end of October. Using the application, you can control a computer that runs on Windows 7 or Windows 8. Since we are dealing with a "native" solution from the developer of the desktop operating system, no client needs to be installed on it.

But in order to be able to connect, you still need to make some changes to the system settings: go to "Control Panels" in the "System" section and select the "Remote access settings" item. After that, you need to allow remote connections to the computer (by the way, if the built-in firewall is disabled, Windows will not allow remote access, so first you have to start the corresponding service).

The Microsoft Remote Desktop Android app uses the system username and password for authorization. If you are going to log in as an administrator, you do not need to perform any additional actions on the computer. To allow access to other users, you need to click on the "Select users" button and add them to the list of remote desktop users. It is also worth bearing in mind that if a password is not used to log in to the system, it must be added in the "User Accounts" section, since remote connection will not work without a password. ( Note that remote connections using Microsoft Remote Desktop are only available to computers that support the Remote Desktop Protocol - RDP. The list of systems that are friends with this protocol is available at the link. — approx. ed . )

After completing this simple setup, you can download the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from Google Play and add a new connection.

Its settings indicate the IP address of the computer on the local network or its name. Also, if you wish, you can specify a login and password to enter (for security reasons, you can not specify them immediately, but enter them right before connecting).

If the connection was successful, local work with the computer will be blocked and the login window will pop up on it. If you log in locally, the remote connection will be dropped. Thus, when connecting remotely, you can see the desktop only on the screen of the mobile device.

Once connected, the remote desktop is displayed on the screen of the device. Two controls are available at the top of the screen: buttons for displaying the Android virtual keyboard and for navigating the screen.

If you need to use keys that are not on the Android keyboard, tapping on the panel with the name of the connection will bring up the advanced settings panel. From it, a transition is made to a virtual keyboard with the keys F1-F12, Esc, Home, Tab, End, Win, Ins, Enter and others - standard for a conventional desktop manipulator. When connected remotely to a Windows 8 device, pressing the virtual Win key toggles between the desktop and Start screen.

From the advanced settings panel, you can also turn off multi-touch gestures and switch to navigation mode using a regular cursor.

To end a remote connection session, just double-tap the back button on your Android device.

⇡ "Teamviewer - Remote Access"

• Developer: TeamViewer
• Size - 11 MB
• Price - Free for non-commercial use

Thanks to its free status (for non-commercial use) and its simplicity, Teamviewer has long been one of the most popular remote administration solutions. With the advent of the era of mobile devices, applications were created to control computers with Android, iOS and Windows Phone.

To control your computer from your mobile device, you will need to install the PC client and the Android app. TeamViewer can connect to Windows, Mac and Linux computers.

If you don't plan to connect to other devices from your computer, it's best to use TeamViewer QuickSupport. This module does not require installation and administrator rights. After its launch, a unique computer identifier (9 digits) is generated, as well as a four-digit password. The password can be updated if necessary.

After this module is launched, you can open the mobile application. Mobile Teamviewer can work in two modes: remote control and file transfer. In both cases, on the screen of a smartphone or tablet, you will need to enter an ID and password to connect to a computer.

If a remote connection was requested, then after a successful connection, the computer desktop will appear on the device screen. On the computer monitor screen, it will also be visible, but the resolution will be changed in accordance with the screen settings of the mobile device.

To ensure convenient work with the remote desktop, the creators of TeamViewer have developed a whole system of controls. Tips for using your fingers to navigate are shown before connecting, and can also be displayed at any time during a remote session. So, with the help of fingers, you can scroll, simulate clicks of the right and left mouse buttons, move the cursor and individual objects.

The TeamViewer control panel is located at the bottom of the screen. With its help, you can quickly end the session, send the remote computer to reboot, or block it. In addition, during a remote connection session, you can disable local work with the computer. If there are problems with displaying the remote desktop, you can try to reduce the resolution, data transfer quality, and also hide the display of wallpapers in the mobile client settings. These options can be selected on a per-connection basis or globally.

The control panel also gives you the ability to quickly display a virtual keyboard. In addition to the Android keyboard, you can also work with additional keys: enable Ctrl, Alt, Shift, use the F1-F12 keys and others.

In the file transfer mode, you can see the file system of a remote computer and copy files from a PC to a mobile device or vice versa.

The TeamViewer mobile client remembers the identifiers of the computers to which it was connected, but if there are many remote PCs, it is more convenient to use the "Computers and Contacts" section to manage them. To do this, you will need to create a Teamviewer account (you can do this both from a mobile device and from a computer). Then you can create groups in it and add identifiers (and, if desired, passwords) of computers to which you want to connect.

• Developer - Splashtop
• Size - 18 MB
• Price - Free (Extension - $1.99 per month)

Splashtop Remote is another free app that lets you from an Android device you can control your Windows, Mac and Linux computer. It uses a slightly different distribution model than Teamviewer. For non-commercial use, the program is free, but to use some additional features, it is proposed to buy an extension. Among the paid options: access to a remote computer via the Internet (free of charge can only be controlled over a local network) and tools for convenient creation of annotations on the screen. Also, the free version has a limit on the number of computers you can connect to - up to five.

A Splashtop account is required to use the app. You can create it in both the mobile app and the Splashtop Streamer desktop client. To connect, as you might guess, you need to log in on both devices under your account. After that, the mobile client will detect computers available for connection, and you can open a remote control session.

In the mobile client settings, you can even enable automatic connection at startup. In this case, the list of available computers will not be displayed and the application will connect to the device for which the remote connection session was performed last.

By default, you don't need to enter any additional passwords, but if you're concerned about unauthorized access, you can turn on the desktop client settings to require a password for the current Windows account. In addition, it is proposed to use a security code, that is, simply put, a password that will need to be entered each time to connect.

Some security settings that are available in mobile apps in other solutions can be configured in Splashtop in the desktop client. For example, you can disable the display of the desktop on the screen of the local computer during a remote communication session. You can also block the use of the keyboard and mouse, initiate a logout of the account when the remote work is completed.

One of the features of Splashtop is the transfer of HD video with sound to your mobile device. Thanks to this, you can, for example, watch a movie on your tablet that is running on your computer, or play a computer game remotely. At the request of the user, during a remote communication session, Splashtop can transmit audio only to the mobile device (it will not be heard locally), not transmit audio (it will be heard locally), or broadcast it both there and there.

When connecting remotely, the screen resolution on the computer does not change, and - unless otherwise specified in the client settings - you can continue to work on the local PC. To control the desktop of your Android computer, there are a number of gestures (there are tips for using them for beginners), as well as a touchpad.

Cursor parameters can be controlled by changing the sensitivity and movement speed. On a mobile device, you can view your computer desktop in native resolution or scale it to fit a small screen.

• Developer - Wyse Technology Inc.
• Size - 11 MB
• Price - Free (with some restrictions)

Another free solution with which you can remotely access your computer desktop is PocketCloud. True, it is not suitable for Linux users - the desktop version only supports computers with Mac or Windows. The mobile client is free to use with only one computer. To remove this limitation, as well as to get some additional features, you need to purchase PocketCloud Remote Desktop Pro.

One of the strengths of the application is the ability to choose the type of connection. By default, the easiest way is used, which does not require any technical knowledge from the user - through Google App Engine. In this case, you need to enter your Google account information in the desktop client and mobile app. After that, the computer will appear in the list of available devices on the mobile screen - and you can start a connection session with it.

For advanced users, PocketCloud offers two more options for remote connection - through the RDP protocol, which is used in Windows, as well as through the popular VNC system. In both cases, you will need to enter the IP address of the computer to which you want to connect.

After connecting, a special navigation element appears on the screen of the mobile device near the cursor - a wheel with various functions. It is useful when you need to right-click, zoom in on a specific area of ​​the screen, scroll, or display a virtual keyboard.

The mobile client settings provide a number of settings to improve the image transmission quality. So, you can disable menu animation, themes, wallpapers, high quality fonts.

⇡ Conclusion

Almost all developers of applications for remote control of a computer provide their programs for free for non-commercial use. And it must be admitted that for ordinary tasks the proposed functions are quite enough. Each of the applications is attractive in some way: to work with Microsoft Remote Desktop, you do not need to install additional software on your computer, Splashtop Remote provides sound transfer to a mobile device, PocketCloud is interesting because it offers several connection options. Finally, Teamviewer looks the most attractive, as it has a separate file transfer mode, can work both on a local network and over the Internet, and does not impose restrictions on the number of computers that can be connected to.