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How to safely use Remote Desktop between computers in different networks?

Anonymous
2023-12-29T18:55:00+00:00

Hi! I know that there is a lot of similar topics over the Internet, but I'm getting lost since there seems to be a lot of ways to do it. I have a home PC and my laptop, from which I would like to connect to my PC remotely from outside my home, using different networks. I have already set up the connection using my local network and it works fine at home, I also managed to make it possible on different networks using port forwarding, but then I read that this is not a safe option without using VPN. My router does not have a VPN option in its configuration, but I have a free VPN called Windscribe installed which I sometimes use. I just can't wrap my head around how do I add this VPN to the whole equation. Should I do something with the new IP address that the VPN gives me? Should I also install it on my laptop? Does it matter that the VPN IP address is different every time I launch the application? Would really appreciate some help!!!

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Security and privacy

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-12-29T19:30:48+00:00

    Hi, I'm Elise, a fellow user like yourself and I'd be happy to help with your issue.

    You can't use a VPN like Windscribe for this purpose, what the article which you read regarding VPN usage would be taking about setting up your own VPN server that you can access remotely.

    Unless you have another device you are going to solely use as a VPN server you won't really get the full benefit of that arrangement.

    There is a good article here which guides you though one method of setting up a VPN server, but there are many many different ways of doing this:

    https://www.privacyaffairs.com/home-vpn-setup/

    If you are going to use just RDP without a VPN, make sure you port forwarding on your router is restricted to just 3389 and this will also limit that scope of access to your PC.

    Please let me know if you need any further assistance.

    Kind Regards,

    Elise

    Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-12-30T03:39:49+00:00

    Thank you Elise!

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-12-29T20:19:22+00:00

    Yes that would be another option, in this scenario you use a VPN client to connect to your home router which then allows access to the local network without any ports being forwarded. This is the most secure option.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-12-29T20:05:06+00:00

    Thank you! Would buying a new router with these VPN options solve this issue so I could fully benefit and not worry about my home network being open to public?

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