Who needs remote PC access software?
Remote PC access software is a good fit for various business users. Employees who are working from home and want to access their office computers can use it, as can companies or educators who need to remotely teach multiple students simultaneously. It is also ideal for IT departments that need to access office devices, troubleshoot tech issues and deploy various protocols. Support agents and help desks use remote PC access software to aid people experiencing technical problems or glitches.
What should you look for in a remote access solution?
The best solution for your business depends on what you need from the software. For example, one business might prioritize collaboration tools, while another focuses on user management. In addition to your must-have features, consider usability, affordability, compatibility, security and customer support.
Make sure the software is compatible with all of your devices and secure enough to transmit information safely. The level of usability you need depends on how tech-savvy your team is: Will only your IT team be using it, or do you need a simple user interface to suit more team members? Also, make sure the software you choose is backed by solid customer support so your questions and concerns can be quickly and efficiently addressed.
How does remote access software increase productivity?
Remote access and support software can increase productivity in more ways than one. In fact, a study from Owl Labs shows that 90% of U.S. employees achieve the same or greater productivity when working remotely compared to in-office work. Accessing an office desktop via various devices can allow you and your workers to edit, manage and submit essential documents outside of the office. This is especially helpful for companies that have employees working at home.
Another advantage is technical support. If someone on your team runs into a technical problem, they might lose several hours of productivity attempting to fix it themselves. Using a remote access software solution, an IT support technician can quickly access and troubleshoot their device.
What are the advantages of customizable security settings?
Security is one of the most critical features of remote PC access software, especially for businesses in highly regulated industries. Although most software solutions offer encryption and other security measures to transmit data safely, some have customizable security settings. This is advantageous for companies whose employees work with several individuals on one platform. By creating role-based security measures and managing and restricting specific user access, you can safely manage your team and/or customers. Customizable security settings are also helpful when you work with varying levels of sensitive information.
Is it safe to use remote desktop software on public Wi-Fi networks?
Not really. Access to shared public Wi-Fi networks is always a security risk, especially if no other security measures are in place. For example, if you are connecting to a public Wi-Fi network, you are most likely connecting to an open port on a firewall, which is not safe. Open ports leave you vulnerable to attackers, who can see where your RDP connection is hosted. Even if you’re fairly safe from trivial attacks, always implement additional security measures, such as a virtual private network (VPN), when you use remote access software on public Wi-Fi networks.
What are some of the risks when using remote PC access software?
Remote PC access software often has various security features to keep your network and devices safe, but that’s not to say that using the software has no risks. Remote access software can be accessed or installed on virtually any device, which means your business isn’t on the hook for monitoring only in-office devices for security threats – you will need to ensure that every employee device that uses the remote software has sufficient security software.
If your employees use remote access software to connect their business and personal devices, you also run the risk of them mixing their business and personal passwords. If your team doesn’t follow a strong password protocol and uses multifactor authentication, this may leave your system vulnerable to cyber threats. Additionally, since remote access software connects a variety of devices, one hacked device can leave your company at risk of a security breach. Maintain strict security protocols to avoid these dangers; for instance, allow users to access only the necessary devices, and enforce identity verification.
How can you protect your computer when using remote access software?
You can employ several business security best practices to protect your devices while using remote access software. Some of the most basic yet effective actions are using strong passwords and two-factor authentication, implementing firewalls to restrict access, setting an account lockout policy, limiting which users can log on to the remote desktop software, and updating software frequently. Make sure that anyone connected to your business’s remote access software takes these security measures.
Tip: Knowing how many computers, users and concurrent sessions you need access for, as well as your budget, will help you quickly zero in on the best company and plan for your business.
FYI: While cloud-based platforms (the most common type of remote access software) are secure, those who want more control over their data security and privacy may want to consider an on-premises solution.
Did you know? With so many employees working from home now, remote PC access software is a great tool for patch management, as it can help ensure each team member’s computer is up to date with current security settings.