Why Don't more travelers use remote desktop.
Feb 8, 2011, 6:45 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 317
While I don't necessarily disagree with that last part, I do find it a little ironic, given that with dropbox you've now allowed some company to have access to your files, and you never really know exactly what they might do with it.
I'm just not quite trusting enough of dropbox to use it for anything I'd consider sensitive.
I'm just not quite trusting enough of dropbox to use it for anything I'd consider sensitive.
Feb 8, 2011, 6:49 pm
#17
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Realize that the standard encryption you get with Windows zip files is a joke. Far better to use 7-zip's encryption, which uses AES-256. 7-zip is freeware.
Feb 8, 2011, 9:03 pm
#18
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I use VNC on an iPad within my own home but there can be issues (security and connectivity) when I am not at home so I don't do it off my own private network. The reality is that most people are not always connected and when they are you often encounter networks that block the ports needed to remotely connect to a home computer or network.
I used to use VNC but I always had little quirks with it. I just use the remote desktop client now.
Feb 9, 2011, 1:49 am
#19
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Works for me
A few years ago after getting sick of the small keyboard and no numerical keypad I got a real desktop computer and my laptop is a dumb computer that just connects via remote desktop to my office computer
If I lose my laptop or have it stolen it's just a hardware loss, no files
A good friend of mine had his laptop stolen on a trip which begged me to ask, if you travel so much why would you keep important files on a laptop that can be stolen?
Anyone else a fellow remote desktopper around here?
If I lose my laptop or have it stolen it's just a hardware loss, no files
A good friend of mine had his laptop stolen on a trip which begged me to ask, if you travel so much why would you keep important files on a laptop that can be stolen?
Anyone else a fellow remote desktopper around here?
Feb 9, 2011, 12:11 pm
#20
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Since I'm in the industry, I can say that most corporate travelers *should* be using virtual/remote desktops when traveling abroad. *Every* corporation that gives even the slightest care about security and protecting intellectual property should be using this technology.
Virtual desktops are evolving - yesterday you needed to be tethered to the network to get access. Today we have virtual desktops that can be run while off the network, maintain complete security from the host device disk and sync with the data center when back on the network.
Customs or whatever espionage group wanted to steal information from such an employee laptop would have an impossible time.
It still amazes me that western companies are sending employees to China (and France, for that matter) with IP right on their local hard disk, just begging to be stolen.
Virtual desktops are evolving - yesterday you needed to be tethered to the network to get access. Today we have virtual desktops that can be run while off the network, maintain complete security from the host device disk and sync with the data center when back on the network.
Customs or whatever espionage group wanted to steal information from such an employee laptop would have an impossible time.
It still amazes me that western companies are sending employees to China (and France, for that matter) with IP right on their local hard disk, just begging to be stolen.
Feb 9, 2011, 12:26 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,508
Couple of points:
1. Using a desktop and a laptop is just an extra piece of complexity that I don't need in my life.
2. If the Chinese or French really want to steal your data, they'll find a way to do it. Best security in the world is never secure if someone truly wants to break in.
1. Using a desktop and a laptop is just an extra piece of complexity that I don't need in my life.
2. If the Chinese or French really want to steal your data, they'll find a way to do it. Best security in the world is never secure if someone truly wants to break in.
Feb 12, 2011, 6:03 pm
#23
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Dropbox
Dropbox is fabulous---I use 5 different computers and my files are always perfectly synced.
Feb 13, 2011, 7:47 pm
#24
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Since I'm in the industry, I can say that most corporate travelers *should* be using virtual/remote desktops when traveling abroad. *Every* corporation that gives even the slightest care about security and protecting intellectual property should be using this technology.
Virtual desktops are evolving - yesterday you needed to be tethered to the network to get access. Today we have virtual desktops that can be run while off the network, maintain complete security from the host device disk and sync with the data center when back on the network.
Customs or whatever espionage group wanted to steal information from such an employee laptop would have an impossible time.
It still amazes me that western companies are sending employees to China (and France, for that matter) with IP right on their local hard disk, just begging to be stolen.
Virtual desktops are evolving - yesterday you needed to be tethered to the network to get access. Today we have virtual desktops that can be run while off the network, maintain complete security from the host device disk and sync with the data center when back on the network.
Customs or whatever espionage group wanted to steal information from such an employee laptop would have an impossible time.
It still amazes me that western companies are sending employees to China (and France, for that matter) with IP right on their local hard disk, just begging to be stolen.
Feb 13, 2011, 7:59 pm
#25
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Citrix is the tech and solution leader in the virtual desktop market. VMWare also sells a virtual desktop product, but with far limited functionality.
Individuals can use GoToMyPC (simple, secure) or VNC (tech-savvy users) to connect their "empty" traveling laptop with a device at home that contains their files or critical data.
Another option is keeping sensitive data in a Cloud folder, like Dropbox or Amazon - but then you're relying on a third party to protect the security of your information.
Individuals can use GoToMyPC (simple, secure) or VNC (tech-savvy users) to connect their "empty" traveling laptop with a device at home that contains their files or critical data.
Another option is keeping sensitive data in a Cloud folder, like Dropbox or Amazon - but then you're relying on a third party to protect the security of your information.
Feb 14, 2011, 2:02 pm
#27
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It's probably a smaller risk than Dropbox or Amazon, but not by much. And if you want to be truly paranoid, you can always encrypt files before uploading them to Dropbox or Amazon.
Feb 14, 2011, 7:18 pm
#28
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You're relying on a third party if you use SSH, VPN, VMWare, Citrix, etc. You're relying on them to ensure that they coded the software with correct implementations of encryption protocols. You're relying on them not to eavesdrop on your systems, or leave backdoors for access.
Feb 17, 2011, 1:41 pm
#29
Join Date: Feb 2011
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good points.!
i only use remote desktop when i need to use some softwares on my desktop that i was so lazy to install it on my laptop.
For docs and stuff, i use google docs, and i heard dropbox is good also, but i haven't look into it.
matter of fact, i use google doc for majority of my docs needs. i can use google docs offline also, just whenever i have internet, it will auto update.
i only use remote desktop when i need to use some softwares on my desktop that i was so lazy to install it on my laptop.
For docs and stuff, i use google docs, and i heard dropbox is good also, but i haven't look into it.
matter of fact, i use google doc for majority of my docs needs. i can use google docs offline also, just whenever i have internet, it will auto update.
Mar 1, 2011, 12:11 pm
#30
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I have a linux machine at home that I connect to from work, hotels, airports, flights with wifi, etc. I still keep all my important documents on my laptop but it lets me remotely connect to home to download torrents and from usenet. I use SCP to copy files to/from that computer to my laptop.
As far as worrying about losing my laptop and losing my documents, I take a backup once every couple of weeks using an incremental backup tool called backup professional. I store the files on my time capsule at home which can also be reached via my linux machine.
I also use something called free NX to connect to it so I can run applications that require a graphical interface.
As far as worrying about losing my laptop and losing my documents, I take a backup once every couple of weeks using an incremental backup tool called backup professional. I store the files on my time capsule at home which can also be reached via my linux machine.
I also use something called free NX to connect to it so I can run applications that require a graphical interface.