how secure is remote connection

June 24, 2006 2:50 PM

How secure is network drive?

I want to do simple daily file transfer sync/backup etc.

I have static ip connection at my business. All my computers are XP pro.

I want to transfer some sensitive files between my business location to my home location with dynamic ip.

Anyways....
I figured since i am able to do a remote desktop through my xp supposely with secured connection. Can I be able to just do network one of my folder at my business location to my home computer and use it like normal folder with out worrying about some one snatching my files during transfer through internet?

is remote desktop connection from xp pro secure?
how about gotomypc ?

posted by curiousleo to Computers & Internet (7 answers total)

If you are going to use remote destop or file sharing with xp, make sure you don't include "Everyone" in the permissions. Make sure that only the account(s) yuo want are in the list.

I can't speak to whether or not it is possible to crack this in some other way.
posted by utsutsu at 3:01 PM on June 24, 2006

Response by poster: i am setting up my business network as i type this..
so any security help will be appreciated.
posted by curiousleo at 3:14 PM on June 24, 2006

Use SFTP for casual use. Use Cisco VPN for serious use.
posted by devilsbrigade at 3:16 PM on June 24, 2006

You can secure the authentication exchange between Remote Desktop servers and clients using SSL. For extra security, you can also run it over SSH. If you need more encryption than that you probably should get some hardware VPN boxes.
posted by meehawl at 4:22 PM on June 24, 2006

it's pretty easy to set up a VPN server using a windows XP box. (this seems to be a pretty good guide for that. see also this guide.) you can make the connection require encryption (see the second guide). you can set up the server on your business network so that you don't have to deal with setting up a no-ip.org thing or whatever, and I think doing the VPN would be easier and possibly faster than doing file copies over remote desktop. make sure you only give access to the people who need it to the VPN.

if your data is really sensitive I'd second devilsbrigade's suggestion and get some hardware VPN system. (and possibly getting someone to set up your network for you, if you're not comfortable with the security aspects of stuff.)
posted by mrg at 6:10 PM on June 24, 2006

Are you the IT technician? If not, perhaps you either want to (1) talk to your existing IT tech or (2) hire one or a consulatant to assist you with this task. If so, then hire a consulatant to work with setting up VPN and encryption and get documentation for the how-to bit of it.

VPN is definitley the way to go with this if you want to RD into your work systems. Of course, if you do that, no reason to be transferring data to your home systems. :) (I work with doctors and researches in a big university with major HIPAA concerns, and stolen home and laptops are a huge concern for us).
posted by smallerdemon at 7:09 PM on June 24, 2006

If transferring files is all you need, you may be better using a secure online file depository. Choose one that you pay for, not a free one. You want one that will be there two years from now.
posted by megatherium at 4:56 AM on June 25, 2006