How to remotely control a computer with VNC

Know that you can use VNC from anywhere in the world to connect to the internet with your PC or iPhone, access your home computer, use files there, download your schedule, and more. Did you? Here are the steps:

VNC (virtual network computing) is one of those techniques that will never get old. When you've left the information you need for work on your computer at home (and vice versa), when you're looking at a long line of BitTorrents and want to think about what you'll enjoy tonight, or when you're teaching your parents at home how to use clip art in Word? When you want to teach while moving the screen, it's really convenient to know how to remotely access!

So let's get started.

• VNC server

Mac OS X 10.4 or later, Windows Vista Ultimate or later is already implemented. But Windows folks seem to find it easier to use the excellent standalone software TightVNC. For pre-10.4 territories, try using OSXvnc (Vine). In the explanation here, Mac uses OS X built-in service and Windows uses TightVNC.

• VNC client

The one I use to access the server running on my home computer. It also already has a client for OS X and Windows. If you prefer standalone software, you can use Chicken of the VNC for Mac or TightVNC for Windows. These external clients can be installed on thumb drives and used on other people's computers.

The procedure is slightly different depending on which platform you use on which end. But the first thing you should do anyway is set up your home router to send all VNC network traffic to the computer you want to control. This did the same for how to use BitTorrent correctly, right? (For those who are interested in prior knowledge of port forwarding, dozo there or at Portforward.com)

Note: Accessing your home network from the Internet and opening ports involves some risk. Choose a strong password and change it frequently. Also, if you're timid, don't proceed from here.

1. On the router admin page, set a new port forward to port 5900 (default for VNC screen sharing). Let's assign it to both UDP and TCP ports, and for IP address enter the IP of the machine in your local network.

It's the same when torrenting, but if the local IP address of your machine changes over the network, you'll be in trouble, so set this to a fixed one. Easy to set up for both Windows and Mac. On OS X, go to the TCP/IP section of your network preferences and select "Configure IPv4" and select "Use DHCP server (address entered manually)". Windows must follow this guide. Related: "PC remote control with VNC"

Windows: Download and install TightVNC. Start the server and set a password. Everything else should be fine, so save the settings. This will keep the server running in the background. Mac: Activate "Remote Management" in Sharing Preferences. Here you can also set which user accounts can access your computer and how. Under Computer Settings, enter a password of your choice in the "VNC viewers may control screen with password" field.

Finally, check whatismyip.com for your house's External IP. If you are using a major ISP that is not a fixed IP, your global IP will change frequently, so please check frequently. This number is required for connection.

If you set up DynDNS, you can connect to global IP more easily. More information here (in English) and here (in Japanese).

The steps are a little different depending on which computer you're using, but that's okay. Giz will hold your hand!

Windows -> Mac

Start TightVNC Viewer, enter External IP and VNC password, and connect.

Mac -> Mac

Open ``Connect to Server'' in ``Go'' menu of Finder and input EXTERNAL IP which you checked earlier on whatismyip.com like ``vnc://xxx.xx.xx.x'' Enter. Enter your account username and password to activate your account on your home machine and Boon! A remote-controlled step up! Note: When connecting from Mac to Mac, use the Mac account username and password, not the VNC password set in Preferences.

Mac -> Windows

Exactly the same as above. However, it uses the VNC password specified by TightVNC.

Windows -> Windows

Windows -> Along with Mac.

Mocha VNC is a great client that can also be controlled from your iPhone. That's amazing. The free Lite version is enough for the basics. Click here for the setting method (Japanese).

That's it!

[Photo credit: Theis Kofoed Hjorth/Flickr]

Related: Easy PC remote control -VNC-, Remote control of Windows using VNC, Secure remote control with VNC and SSH

UPDATE: Check out Paid LogMeIn, DesktopVPN, free Ultra VNC, and CrossLoop for great support. (Thnx > Anonymous & @nagahito)

John Mahoney