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How do i make Remote Assistance secure?

InlineFive

Diamond Member
Im trying to help a friend who just got a computer for the first time learn how to use it. However, it's very difficult over the phone. I cant use Remote Destop because I think it turns off the monitor. I dont see any security options for Remote Assistance (using invitations through MSN Messenger, should I do this differently?) and I was wondering how I can make it secure.

I think some people mentioned VPN but I dont know how to set up a remote computer to allow a VPN with mine. Can anyone tell me more about this?

-Por
 
NONONO, both machines are Windows XP Pro. I want to set up a VPN connection so that I can run Remote Assistance to help my friend learning the computer while having it be secure!

-Por
 
It is already relatively secure. It is not VPN by no means, but it is also not the open stuff like PCanywhere and VNC.
 
You can't setup XP Pro to accept incoming VPN connections. You would need Win2k Server or Win2k3 Server for that. Remote Assisatance can be relatively secure. It will only allow a connection from someone you sent a request to. Beyond that it doesn't allow any other connections in. I think that is your best bet. Everything you send over the wire is encrypted also.
 
Originally posted by: mikecel79
You can't setup XP Pro to accept incoming VPN connections. You would need Win2k Server or Win2k3 Server for that. Remote Assisatance can be relatively secure. It will only allow a connection from someone you sent a request to. Beyond that it doesn't allow any other connections in. I think that is your best bet. Everything you send over the wire is encrypted also.

I thought it wasnt encrypted based upon what I read in other parts of the forum. Good to know that it is! Thanks!

-Por
 
I thought it wasnt encrypted based upon what I read in other parts of the forum. Good to know that it is! Thanks!

Remote Assistance uses the RDP protocol. Don't quote me on this but I'm pretty sure it uses RSA 128bit encryption.
 
Originally posted by: mikecel79
I thought it wasnt encrypted based upon what I read in other parts of the forum. Good to know that it is! Thanks!

Remote Assistance uses the RDP protocol. Don't quote me on this but I'm pretty sure it uses RSA 128bit encryption.

Thanks! That wrapped up all my worries!

-Por
 

You don?t really have to worry about security so much during a connected session, because both of you are there. You can set it up that the host has to except the session & password. However there is a risk of a DOS attack through RDP port (3389), and the host computer/s would be also at a greater risk if the client computer compromised.

You can try to limit the risk by setup the firewall to only except port TCP/3389 at specific IP address.

Good luck!
 
Originally posted by: mikecel79
I thought it wasnt encrypted based upon what I read in other parts of the forum. Good to know that it is! Thanks!

Remote Assistance uses the RDP protocol. Don't quote me on this but I'm pretty sure it uses RSA 128bit encryption.

It does, if you go to "About" you'll see it says "Maximum encryption strength: 128 bits"
 
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