Is Telnet needed as part of Remote Desktop for Windows XP?

[Guest]

I tried searching for a couple of things on this but couldn't find anything
definate. It's a simple question. =D

Can you disable and/or uninstall Telnet services and still use Remote
Desktop under Windows XP Professional? Or, are there any specific services
that Remote Desktop needs to function?

I don't know enough about the internal workings of either to feel
comfortable just disabling or uninstalling things that might be needed. I see
a lot of various networking options that could in theory be something that
Remote Desktop piggy backs off of to work properly.

I work from both home and the office and use Remote Desktop to access my
computer at home when I am at work. I work in product development and a lot
of the information I work with is sensitive so rather then having services
available that could be a potential risk, I'd rather just have it gone if
it's not needed.

Thanks in advance for any information provided!

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I tried searching for a couple of things on this but couldn't find anything
definate. It's a simple question. =D

Can you disable and/or uninstall Telnet services and still use Remote
Desktop under Windows XP Professional? Or, are there any specific services
that Remote Desktop needs to function?

I don't know enough about the internal workings of either to feel
comfortable just disabling or uninstalling things that might be needed. I see
a lot of various networking options that could in theory be something that
Remote Desktop piggy backs off of to work properly.

I work from both home and the office and use Remote Desktop to access my
computer at home when I am at work. I work in product development and a lot
of the information I work with is sensitive so rather then having services
available that could be a potential risk, I'd rather just have it gone if
it's not needed.

Thanks in advance for any information provided!

I ran "services.msc" on my computer and found that the Telnet service
is stopped. Remote Desktop works.

I think that you're wise not to disable services without knowing what
they do. I don't recommend stopping any services on a typical XP
computer.

Every Internet-connected XP computer needs firewall protection. Don't
rely on stopping certain services to keep hackers out.

I recommend using both a hardware and software firewall, such as a
broadband router and the Windows Firewall. For Remote Desktop, open
port 3389 (TCP) in each firewall.

All that will stand between your computer and Internet hackers will be
the user names and passwords of the accounts that have remote access
permission. Make sure that those accounts have very strong
passwords. By default, all administrator accounts have remote access
permission.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Guest]

Thank you very much for the information. I have both the hardware and
software firewalls in place. I also use the GUID Tool in VisualStudio once a
month to generate a new password to use. I also believe that you can never
be too safe. Thank you again!

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Thank you very much for the information. I have both the hardware and
software firewalls in place. I also use the GUID Tool in VisualStudio once a
month to generate a new password to use. I also believe that you can never
be too safe. Thank you again!

You're welcome. I use Remote Desktop to connect to my main computer
when I'm working at a client's site, and it works very well. It's
even useable over a dial-up Internet connection!
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com