Remote Access to your Desktop
There are dozens of tools to enable you to access your office computer from home. Some are easier to use, some are less expensive, but the
most important thing to consider is trust.
By installing remote control software, you're giving access to your computer
(and everything you do on it) to that company.
You have to trust them and their security. Employees could have access, and if they get hacked, the hackers would have access to everything as well.
It makes sense to have reservations. We trust LogMeIn.com and GoToMyPC.com more, partly because they're HIPAA compliant, which means they're taking security more seriously.
If you're using Google G-Suite (G-mail, etc) you should also consider trying Google's Chrome Remote Desktop. They already have complete access to almost everything you have anyways.
Depending on circumstances, it can be as easy if not easier that LogMeIn.
And it's free.
COVID-19 is making this more important now
Remote access to office computers has become even more important now. Because of this, there's one more thing to consider. Due to the high demand, some companies may be experiencing capacity and overload issues. So keep that in mind when using them.
Quick steps to using LogMeIn
On your work computer:
- Go to the www.logmein.com website
- Enter your company email address
- Create a strong password
- Find the "setup on this computer" link
- Install the software on your work computer
- Leave your work computer turned on
On your home computer:
- Go to the www.logmein.com website
- Sign in with your email address and new password
- Click your work computer in the list of computers
- You will now be connected to your work computer
- You may be required to sign into your work computer
Things to consider:
- LogMeIn is constantly changing their website, so these instructions may not be exact.
- From home, you will first sign into the LogMeIn system, then you may be required to sign into your computer they way you do when you're in the office.
- If your office computer is connected to a server, your computer username may be MYCOMPANY\myname instead of just myname
- Some versions of LogMeIn may require you to enter username: MYCOMPANY\myname
- Some versions of LogMeIn may require you to enter username: myname and then below enter log into domain: MYCOMPANY
- The username MYCOMPANY\myname uses a backslash, not the normal forward slash.
- Try to have the same size (or larger) monitor at home to avoid screen size issues.
- Use the "blank monitor" feature to ensure people who may be at the office can't watch what you're doing.
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Serving clients in Peachtree City, Fayetteville and Newnan since 2001.