Travel Technology - Using Hamachi but what other options should I try?

I've been using Hamachi for a while so I can connect from outside my home to my home laptop (through my home router firewall).

However, with the latest upgrade, I cannot get a direct connection. It is relayed and really slows down the connection. I've tried many settings but nothing works. Can't find any help on their website either.

What other programs can you recommend for me to try?

I've been using Hamachi for a while so I can connect from outside my home to my home laptop (through my home router firewall).

However, with the latest upgrade, I cannot get a direct connection. It is relayed and really slows down the connection. I've tried many settings but nothing works. Can't find any help on their website either.

What other programs can you recommend for me to try?

Have you tried Logmein.com?

Using a dynamic DNS host like no-ip.com and setting up port forwarding on the router for remote desktop is what I have been doing for the longest time.

Using a dynamic DNS host like no-ip.com and setting up port forwarding on the router for remote desktop is what I have been doing for the longest time.

From a security standpoint, this is probably a Bad Idea. If you're using anything prior to Windows Vista/RDP 6.0, you're vulnerable to a man in the middle attack. Also, it's never a good idea to expose a Windows host to the internet. There are just too many security holes.

I would use a Linux-based router firmware like Tomato or DD-WRT and create a SSH tunnel to the router. From there, you can tunnel remote desktop over SSH.

Even using SSH you still need to connect to your SSH server which can be tricky if you do not have a static IP and don't know which public IP your server is currently being assigned. That's where the dynamic DNS host comes in handy.

GotoMyPC is a service but works with almost every possible scenerio. If you don't want to mess with configuring anything or worrying about security, it's the way to go.

GotoMyPC is a service but works with almost every possible scenerio. If you don't want to mess with configuring anything or worrying about security, it's the way to go.

I looked at GotoMyPC but it seems like I have to go through a third party server which I would rather avoid.

The thing I liked about Hamachi was that it created a direct tunnel from my remote computer to my computer at home and not go via a 3rd party. However, nowadays, I can't get a direct connection for some reason and it is relayed.

So trying to find what other software solutions there are out there that can help?

I looked at GotoMyPC but it seems like I have to go through a third party server which I would rather avoid.

The thing I liked about Hamachi was that it created a direct tunnel from my remote computer to my computer at home and not go via a 3rd party. However, nowadays, I can't get a direct connection for some reason and it is relayed.

So trying to find what other software solutions there are out there that can help?

GoToMyPc is owned by Citrix. If you connect to any work applications via thin cient (the web) more than likely your using Citrix software. Same goes for most corporate help desk organizations. In other words, they're secure. Actually, more secure than a direct connection. RealVNC was/is a popular remote control app utilizing direct connections, until someone discovered a hole in the application. Then anyone with it on their computer had a direct connection to a hacker.

I don't want to push you towards GoToMyPc, just want to express that there's no need to be concerned about the third party.

If you want to go with a direct connection the easest solution is a static IP. If you don't want to pay for that then you will need a service that keeps track of what dynamic IP has been assigned to your home connection - like the dynamic DNS mentioned above.

GoToMyPc is owned by Citrix. If you connect to any work applications via thin cient (the web) more than likely your using Citrix software. Same goes for most corporate help desk organizations. In other words, they're secure. Actually, more secure than a direct connection. RealVNC was/is a popular remote control app utilizing direct connections, until someone discovered a hole in the application. Then anyone with it on their computer had a direct connection to a hacker.

I don't want to push you towards GoToMyPc, just want to express that there's no need to be concerned about the third party.

If you want to go with a direct connection the easest solution is a static IP. If you don't want to pay for that then you will need a service that keeps track of what dynamic IP has been assigned to your home connection - like the dynamic DNS mentioned above.
Any more info on the Real VNC hole? The last security hole article I can find was in 2007.

Any more info on the Real VNC hole? The last security hole article I can find was in 2007.

The only security vulnerability I'm aware of with VNC is that the connection isn't encrypted and employs no authentication, and so is vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks. Tunneling a VNC connection through SSH addresses this and is generally thought of as secure (provided your SSH implementation is secure).

Another option the OP might look into is LogMeIn. I use it to provide support to my dad's dental office.

The only security vulnerability I'm aware of with VNC is that the connection isn't encrypted and employs no authentication, and so is vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks. Tunneling a VNC connection through SSH addresses this and is generally thought of as secure (provided your SSH implementation is secure).

Another option the OP might look into is LogMeIn. I use it to provide support to my dad's dental office.

gfunkdave is correct. The actual hole that let someone get to a PC without man-in-the-middle was 2-3yrs ago (it was only meant as an example). I had a client where one of the execs had installed VNC on his office machine. One day all their printers started cranking out the dictionary. That turned out to be a good thing as it caused the issue to be discovered.

I have a Netgear SSL VPN router at home. It also has a dynamic dns client. When I'm on the road, I just VPN home and I can connect to anything on my network.