Remote DesktopQuestions

[JT]

I plan to try this, however, can you tell me how secure is the remote
desktop web connection as compared to the VPN connection.
Thanks,
JT.

 

[Sooner Al [MVP]]

IIS is going to be a lot less secure than a VPN or SSH tunnel particularly
if you use a certificate authentication or private/public key pair
authentication scheme. Personally I don't run IIS so that is the only thing
I will say on that issue. Most of the MVPs that do run IIS recommend running
the "IIS Lockdown Wizard" to secure IIS as much as possible. Here are some
links you might be interested in...

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;325864

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/282060/

--
Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...

 

[JT]

So far I favor the Remote Desktop option becuase I can get a virtual
terminal interface with it. With a VPN or SSH tunnel, all I get is a
connection, no interface. I have to map a drive to get to my Home computer.
Unless i am mistaken. Am I trading off a big security risk by using the
remote dektop or is the risk not as big as one might think.

Thanks,
JT

 

[Sooner Al [MVP]]

Personally I use an OpenVPN tunnel because...

* ...of stronger authentication, ie. both a certificate and a strong pass
word are required to logon to my network from a remote location...

* ...I can access any of my two XP Pro desktops with RDP through the OpenVPN
tunnel by only opening one port on my firewall/router...

* ...if I need access to a shared file/folder on any of my two XP Pro
desktops I don't need to open a RDP session to do so...

Beyond that, if you use a *strong* password RDP by itself should be safe...

--
Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows Networking)

Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...