What You Can Accomplish With Remote PC Access

If you want to get into your files from a computer far away from your own, remote PC access can let you do so. And if you're having trouble with your computer, remote access software can allow technicians entry to your system from another location. But there are potential issues with having this kind of software installed on your machine, too.

Basically, remote access programs allow you to enter your computer's files and software from another physical location. This includes things like modifying and reading files, playing media, and adding and deleting software-- almost anything that you can do when sitting in front of your computer. There are controls that can be placed on the software, however, which allow you to access only certain components remotely.

Windows computers have come with built-in remote access software since Windows 2000 and XP came out. The current Windows 7 OS has a remote access program that specifically allows you to play media from your home computer on any other computer, a feature which has been popular. The earlier versions have been criticized and characterized as hard to use and not as good as some other, both free and paid programs. Remote access software has multiple uses. One use is the ability of remote access to set up a home or office computer with a centralized database of information, from which multiple people can work. This allows an office, company, or other group of people who are physically spread out in location, to work on the same plans, files, and software. Another major use of remote access programs is to allow access to the system by technicians trying to solve problems, without taking the machine to them. Or, if you have a tech-savvy friend, you can let him take a look for you, even if he lives halfway around the world. This can save a lot of money in hands-on technical service fees. Choose a remote access software type that is liable to work well on your machine, whatever it might be. Most remote access software was created to run on one operating system, such as Mac, Linux, or Windows, and even if it was later adapted to run on the others, will usually perform best in its native environment. Make sure you check online and find out if your choice of software is likely to work on your machine. Having remote software on your computer can open it to unwanted access by foreign programs, such as viruses and other bugs. To avoid catastrophe, it's always a good idea to back up your computer right before installing remote access software. If you don't plan to use the software repeatedly, it's worth considering whether to remove it and wipe and restore your computer after you are finished with it.

Remote PC access, like many good things in the world, comes with benefits and downsides. You'll have to decide for yourself whether the benefits outweigh the risks in your particular case. You can keep the risks of this type of software to a minimum by only allowing remote access to the files that you really need, and by keeping your antivirus software up to data.