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XP Remote Desktop connection security

I set up my router at home to forward Remote Desktop connection session to my home computer running Windows XP. I can now access my home computer from just about anywhere but I want to know how secure it is. When I am connected is the session secure or encrypted in any way? If not is there a way to secure it? Thanks.

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amirinamdar

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stokesj56

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jmoody

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i will try the openssh. how do you get the remote connection to go out of the mindterm?

stokesj56

First open a SSH session to your home (remote) machine. Then from the Tunnels menu select Basic. In the Basic Tunnels Setup window enter an unused local port number (i.e. 13389) in the Local port field, for Remote host enter "localhost" or "127.0.0.1" (without quotes), and in the Remote port enter 3389 (unless you changed the listening port). Leave Protocol set to General and click the Add button. You should see your tunnel in the Current local tunnels area and can now close the Basic Tunnels Setup window. (Select Save Settings from the File menu to have this tunnel opened automaticaly when you connect).

To connect through the tunnel on your work (local) machine open (Program|Accessories|Communications) Remote Desktop Connection. In the Computer field enter "localhost:13389" (without quotes).

See this Microsoft refernce article for more information:
How to configure the Remote Desktop client to connect to a specific port when you use Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304304

Have also heard of problems with XP prior to SP2 that it will not allow connections to localhost or 127.0.0.1. In this case use an alternate loopback address like 127.0.0.2 (set the last octet to your preference).

jmoody

ASKER

That is great info. Thanks.

amirinamdar

thanks for the grade jmoody
glad to be of help
:-)