Remote Connection Software

 

GENERAL INFO

This will go into details about the remote software that I use. There's 3 primarily - and I will give information on each one along with usage scenarios. 

More details and pictures will be added later on.

Remote Desktop Mention

While most servers (VPSes included) have the ability to use RD, I personally do not recommend usage under certain conditions. In a controlled network environment admins can whitelist IPs for connections. With Internet enabled devices, this provides a lot of possible breaches - especially for ransomware. While phishing attacks rank as the number one ransomware vector, RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) is high on the list. 

If you use a VPS then don't keep sensitive data on the system. Most people access their VPS using RDP since it's convenient and on their mobile devices. If you're accessing a physical machine, then look into whitelisting the IPs that are connecting.

See the article link below from MalwareBytes for more details.

https://blog.malwarebytes.com/security-world/business-security-world/2018/08/protect-rdp-access-ransomware-attacks/

TeamViewer

This is by far the most popular remote connection/assistance software out there. The name is synonymous with remote assistance. I still use it, but only version 11.

Licensing

TeamViewer is free for personal use. If their servers detect that you use it in certain environments, you'll be automatically disconnected after 3-5 minutes. These environments include:

• Connecting to a SERVER.
• Connecting to a VPS.
• Connecting to a DOMAIN CLIENT. 
• Connecting to more than "X" number of machines per day/week/month.

I'm not quite sure what the number is, but if you do lots of remote support without a license then you'll probably get throttled.

TV5

TeamViewer version 5 had a nice "flaw" that was exploited by persons for years. This older version allowed persons to connect to TV5 clients without nag screens or time limitations. It was used by lots of persons including companies that support other companies. TeamViewer caught on and has since changed the connection requirements.

Forced Obsolescence

Due to the abuse of TV5, and the fact that TeamViewer is SaaS, the connection requirements changed since mid 2019. Persons that have not purchased a license must upgrade to the latest version (TV14 as of this writing).

This is not a bad thing for free users, but some restrictions have been put in place. Some key combinations will not be forwarded (Windows Key) between the guest (person helping) and host (person giving remote access). TeamViewer has also caused persons with licensed older versions to lose connectivity if they are supported by different IT persons.

Example Case

I own a TeamViewer 11 license, but the current version is 14. With 11 I can connect to ALL VERSIONS that are at or below 11. This means I can connect to TeamViewer 1-11 and will not have any limitations. 

When a client with my TV11 installation takes support from another IT person, they will not be able to connect - unless they upgrade the TV11 to the current version. This may be done remotely in some instances (not sure if still possible) or by the client requesting support. Once this is done, my licensed TV11 will no longer be able to connect to the client. I will be constantly prompted to upgrade before a connection can be made.

If I then download and use the latest version, I will constantly get nag messages about purchasing a new license. My TV11 license is perpetual, and not a subscription like the current license. I don't want to upgrade for that purpose as it would mean paying a yearly fee.

SUMMARY

If you need support from me using TeamViewer since you're familiar with it - then you'll have to follow the instructions on how to exit your current running instance, then start the QuickSupport version of TV11 from my personalized link from TeamViewer.

If you don't plan to get support from other persons then leaving my TV11 instance on your system should be fine. You could then use the QuickSupport tool for the latest version if assistance is needed from other techs.

Remote Utilities

This was my second purchased remote connection tool. This is a good contendor for TeamViewer in my opinion. The customer support is good and the licensing is not SaaS. The features are comparable - just that TeamViewer is more popular and has some features that are easier to access.

The licensing model for Remote Utilities makes it easy to purchase, upgrade and provide support. There is no penalty for running an older version - persons with newer versions will be able to connect just fine.

One of the BEST features of Remote Utilities is that it still runs on Windows XP. This helps greatly for persons in the medical, manufacturing or other fields with older specialized equipment still running Windows XP.

SUMMARY

As an alternative to TeamViewer with a perpetual license, there is nothing better. The features are great, the learning curve isn't steep and it works on just about all Windows OSes you'd find today.

ScreenConnect

This is my go-to utility at current. Yes - I know it's subscription - but it's cheaper than TeamViewer with much more features for the pricing. While Remote Utilities has a mobile app, the features available in ScreenConnect puts it over everything else - with just one flaw.

Mainly I'm able to use this and connect to anyone, anywhere, anytime. And connections can be done and managed from my mobile device. The one drawback? Clipboard sharing is poor for images. If you're an IT person and you need to screen capture a window then paste it locally, this tool will not work. Yes it has sceenshot capabilities, and it can capture to file but, even though the feature is there, as of this writing it's poorly implemented. Hoping to see this done better in future.

CONCLUSION

I know that persons would want me to pick. But I can't. It's too hard.

While Remote Utilities is not SaaS, and as a result a centralized address book is not possible, integrating with cloud storage like DropBox and Google Drive would make that awesome and place it at #1 overall.

If ScreenConnect would fix their clipboard issues then it would probably be the #1 SaaS solution.

If TeamViewer was more friendly with their licensing options, upgrade path, pricing and overall communication, then they would be king of the hill forever.

With the way that things are now it's anyone's game. I expect more contenders to be coming - and there are a lot more but I just don't use them much - but these would be my top 3.