Member Avatar for Sickeness

How does this work? I need to setup something so I can access my home computer from anywhere. I followed the instructions here but I'm still having problems. I have a WRK54G v1.0 Wireless-G Broadband Router, I've setup WPA with a shared key. I turned off SSI broadcast, enabled MAC Address Filtering, and changed the admin password. DHCP is still enabled...

I might have had troubles port forwarding to, when i log in to the router there lost of stuff to do with ports and it's all confusing me, port triggering etc. If anyone is farmiliar with this router and could tell me how to properly configure it so I can use Remote Desktop Web Connection that would be great. Oh, I have a laptop wirelessly connected to the router, and a desktop connected by cable, I'm trying to make the desktop the host, and then be able to access it from anywhere with my laptop. Thanks ahead of time.

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  • 7 Years Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by Олег_7

Dani AI

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Short version: avoid exposing Windows Remote Desktop directly to the Internet if you can. As pointed out, opening a remote-desktop port is a common attack vector. A much safer, longer‑term approach is to give yourself secure access to the whole LAN (VPN or a relay) and only then use RDP from inside that trusted tunnel.

If you still want to get RDP reachable from outside, follow these practical, evergreen steps:

  • Make the host predictable: assign a DHCP reservation (or a static LAN IP) for the desktop so forwarding rules never break.
  • Turn on Remote Desktop in Windows and make sure the account(s) allowed to connect have strong, non‑blank passwords and limited privileges.
  • Create a router forwarding rule that points an external port to the desktop’s RDP listener (use a nonstandard external port if you must reduce random scanning). Disable WAN/remote admin on the router so management is only possible from the LAN.
  • Open a matching exception on the desktop firewall and, if possible, restrict it to known source IPs. Test from a truly external network (mobile tether or a friend’s connection) — many home routers don’t support connecting to your own public IP from inside (NAT loopback).

Troubleshooting and permanence:

  • Verify your public WAN IP and use a dynamic‑DNS name if your ISP assigns a dynamic address. If connections fail, check whether the ISP blocks incoming ports. Test stepwise: local RDP, LAN-from-laptop, then external-from-outside.
  • Remember that tools suggested by others in this thread are useful for LAN or brokered access, but they don’t remove the need for good passwords and up‑to‑date security.

Security note important for anyone reading this years later: Windows XP is unsupported (end of security updates), so exposing XP to the Internet carries significant risk. If upgrading the OS isn’t possible, treat any Internet‑facing RDP as a last resort and harden the gateway (use VPN, strong credentials, and strict firewall rules).

Recommended Answers

All 12 Replies

Member Avatar for gemini4

Don't open ports in your firewall. It's not very secure. Remote desktop web connection is created for internal networks. It's better not to use it.

I recommend you LOG ME IN: www.logmein.com .

Member Avatar for larytet

Open Source: TightVNC, UltraVNC, OpenVNC

Member Avatar for knsljo

O real vnc very easy to use!

Member Avatar for mypants

these guys have a pretty good video tutorial::

chur

mypants

Member Avatar for DimaYasny

and if you want to use RDP anyway, open port 3389. consult portforward.com

Member Avatar for hughv

I'm in favor of Real VNC.
Set it up on both machines, forward the appropriate ports and you're in business.
See here for more:

Member Avatar for DimaYasny

logmein is easier to setup and actually much more secure (securer? LOL)

Member Avatar for Laser

I like LogMeIn Free also, to support my 'distant' relatives. ;^)

Member Avatar for icemanx

so laser you pay for it or use the crappy free version which is being phased out

I am also looking for an alternative thats free and works 100% on any system from win98 to win7

Member Avatar for Лиза

Try, http://www.radmin.com/ I love, I use more than three years. Fast, and most importantly safe program for remote control of computers. Advantages, high speed, reliable security system.

Member Avatar for Олег_7

Try, http://www.radmin.com/ take more than three years. Fast, and most importantly safe program for remote control of computers. Advantages, high speed, reliable security system.

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