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Host setting for indication that remote machine is being controlled
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David Miller,
User (Posts: 6)
Feb 21, 2014 2:54:42 pm EST
Support level: Free or trial
I have been using free logmein for quite some time with various clients, and now that there is a charge for the service, someone recommended RemoteUtilities, which works great.
One features my clients liked about logmein was that it was very clear to a user on the remote machine that someone has logged into it remotely. Also, it was possible to disable logmein until it was needed, and then enable it on demand (by the remote user, not me).
RUT has the Stop Host command, but this stopped state does not seem to persist across a restart (in other words, the Host starts up again on reboot).
In other words, this client doesn't like the stealthy aspects of RUT (which I love, mind you).
Is there a way to placate them? In other words to turn on some indication that a machine is being remotely controlled? Also, is there a mechanism that doesn't require sysadmin-level knowledge to disable RUT indefinitely and easily enable / disable it as necessary?
Not that they don't trust me, but they are concerned about maybe being hacked and accessed by person or persons unknown without any indication that it is occurring.
This client is prepared to pay for logmein just for their own peace of mind. I would prefer they stay with RUT since it has so many other features missing from logmein free, but the customer is always right. I'd like to show them that they have the same level of control as with logmein. Can I?
One features my clients liked about logmein was that it was very clear to a user on the remote machine that someone has logged into it remotely. Also, it was possible to disable logmein until it was needed, and then enable it on demand (by the remote user, not me).
RUT has the Stop Host command, but this stopped state does not seem to persist across a restart (in other words, the Host starts up again on reboot).
In other words, this client doesn't like the stealthy aspects of RUT (which I love, mind you).
Is there a way to placate them? In other words to turn on some indication that a machine is being remotely controlled? Also, is there a mechanism that doesn't require sysadmin-level knowledge to disable RUT indefinitely and easily enable / disable it as necessary?
Not that they don't trust me, but they are concerned about maybe being hacked and accessed by person or persons unknown without any indication that it is occurring.
This client is prepared to pay for logmein just for their own peace of mind. I would prefer they stay with RUT since it has so many other features missing from logmein free, but the customer is always right. I'd like to show them that they have the same level of control as with logmein. Can I?
Edited:David Miller - Feb 21, 2014 2:58:17 pm EST
Conrad Sallian,
Support (Posts: 3074)
Feb 24, 2014 3:05:16 am EST
Hello David,
Thank you for your message.
Even though the Host grants you total 24/7 control over the remote computer, you can easily configure it to include the "remote user factor" without disabling auto start-up.
For example, you can enable "Ask user permission" feature in the Host settings (Settings for Host -> Security -> Confirmation tab). With this option on, each time you connect to the remote user's PC, they will see a message asking them whether they accept or reject an incoming remote connection. There's a timeout setting with auto-accept and auto-reject options too. Finally, you can opt to only ask for user permission when a user (a Windows user, that is) is logged on.
During the remote session, if the Full Control or View mode is used, the Host icon in the system tray turns red. This is a clear indication that someone is being connected to the remote PC via Remote Utilities. In addition, you can enable a "notification panel" in the Settings for Host -> Options -> General -> Show notification panel) that will appear each time you connected to a remote PC and allow the remote user to kick you out by clicking on the X button near the corresponding incoming connection (a Host can accept multiple incoming connections, btw).
Hope that helps. Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions.
Thank you for your message.
Even though the Host grants you total 24/7 control over the remote computer, you can easily configure it to include the "remote user factor" without disabling auto start-up.
For example, you can enable "Ask user permission" feature in the Host settings (Settings for Host -> Security -> Confirmation tab). With this option on, each time you connect to the remote user's PC, they will see a message asking them whether they accept or reject an incoming remote connection. There's a timeout setting with auto-accept and auto-reject options too. Finally, you can opt to only ask for user permission when a user (a Windows user, that is) is logged on.
During the remote session, if the Full Control or View mode is used, the Host icon in the system tray turns red. This is a clear indication that someone is being connected to the remote PC via Remote Utilities. In addition, you can enable a "notification panel" in the Settings for Host -> Options -> General -> Show notification panel) that will appear each time you connected to a remote PC and allow the remote user to kick you out by clicking on the X button near the corresponding incoming connection (a Host can accept multiple incoming connections, btw).
Hope that helps. Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions.
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