Messenger remote assistance

[Manuel]

Hi. I'm worry about the security of Messenger Remote
Assistance tool. Is it the same that Remote Desktop? Sorry
if the question is too silly but I'm new in all this stuff.

Thanks

 

[Sooner Al]

AFAIK, the Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance data streams are encrypted the same. With that said,
however, I can not find a reference to this as far as RA is concerned. Here is the reference for
RD...

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/reskit/pree_rem_quaq.asp

MS suggests that outside users providing RA to an internal LAN do so via a VPN tunnel. It appears
this is to simply minimize the number of open ports in any firewall/NAT/router. Note the "Security
Concerns" section in this Resource Kit reference.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/reskit/prmb_tol_drft.asp

As always, use a strong password and limit the valid time of the invitation file as needed...

Perhaps one of the MVPs can come up with a definitive reference concerning the encryption level of
the RA data stream...