The Risks Of Enabling Remote Access On Your Computer:

When you open your computer to connections from external sources, there is always the risk that something could go wrong. Whether it be someone accessing your files that isn't supposed to be in there, or whether it be that a spammer or con artist uses your computer for unauthorized purposes, you need to exude copious amounts of caution when you enable a remote access feature.

Let's get the record straight. This article is not intended to scare you out of using remote access. The feature in itself is an excellent example of how the internet can be used to create efficiencies and convenience in our every day live. Instead, this article will highlight some of the major things you should be thinking about as you turn remote access on, and allow people to remotely access your PC.

The Unauthorized User.

Even if you keep your remote access log in details as secret as the password to your bank account, there are still people out there who have programs which are able to break the code - should the want to. Of course, this isn't just the case with remote access. Even just having an internet connection puts you at risk. No doubt you have already heard all the cautionary warning in the media about identity fraud and the like, so we certainly won't go over it again.

Basically, what you need to keep in mind is that if you enable remote access - you are in fact digging another hole which may or may not be used by a hacker in the future. There are numerous other things you can do to protect your computer from such threats - ie. installing anti virus software, or intrusion technology.

Files Lost In Space.

Imagine that you log in to your remote computer via a computer at work, and then initiate what you thought would be a simple file transfer. There are two possibilities here:

1. File Transfer Successful
2. File Transfer Error

In either of these cases - you may or may not come out unscathed. Some issues with remote access surround partial transfer of files, which then renders them completely useless on both computers.

Again, there are a number of things you can install to ensure this doesn't happen - but for the first time user - it's definitely something to think about.