A recent trend in the IT Industry is web-based remote desktop programs that allow you to do office work remotely. There are many different web-based remote desktop programs available, and most of them offer to provide you with an easy and secure option to access your office computer from home or a remote location. GoToMyPc, pcAnywhere and LogMeIn are the most popular.
Most of these companies have made every effort to keep the data of their customers safe. Gotomypc.com, for example, boasts of an SSL encrypted website with 128 bit encryption, multiple passwords and an access code that resides on the host computer. The concerns, therefore, exist in a different aspect of this process. The security risk induced by using a web-based program is that, inherently, a web-based solution requires the provider have a gateway allowing access to your network.
Additionally, your employees can sign up without your knowledge, providing an unknown point of entry into your company's network. Web-based remote desktop programs can cause you to lose some control as an administrator because you have no way of knowing how many of your employees are accessing their computers from home or public computers. By default, y our firewall does not protect against unauthorized use because the connection is initiated from the inside of your network.
 The best way to retain control of your data security is to have an acceptable use policy for your company and active usernames and passwords for all of your computers. You should make sure that your administrators change these usernames and passwords regularly for improved security. When possible, denying users local administrator access will prevent unauthorized software installation. If you suspect any of your employees are already using a web-based remote desktop program, or if you would like to let your employees keep their administrator control, you will need to program your firewall so that it can identify these programs. This will allow your router to deny these programs access to your network.
Box Lake Networks recommends a hardware Virtual Private Network (VPN) solution for those companies who would like to access their work computers from home. A VPN provides you with all of the features of a web-based program. Plus, it gives you the added security of knowing that no unauthorized person has access to your data. A VPN will also allow you to connect two office locations, while a web based program cannot.
While the initial cost to install a VPN is greater than a subscription to a web-based program, you'll find that it saves you money over time. With a hardware VPN, the cost is incurred up front as opposed to being spread out over a period of time. If you plan on using the service for 2 years or more, purchasing a VPN router will, in most cases, be a more cost-effective solution for your company. While price is a factor, the main reason for choosing a hardware VPN is that it is a more secure solution for your company.
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