Features

Remote access
VNC Free Edition

Price: Free (pre-Vista version); £14 inc VAT (Vista-compatible version)

From www.realvnc.com

Remote access
LogMeIn

Price: Free

From www.logmein.com

If you've upgraded to Windows XP Professional or the more expensive versions of Vista, you can already access your PC from anywhere through the Remote Access feature. But if you can't justify the upgrade or are still stuck with an earlier Windows version, you don't have to plump for the market-leading third-party remote control software, GoToMyPC.

Instead you can use VNC (Virtual Network Computing), a cross-platform technology with two parts: a client on the machine attempting to connect, and a server on the machine you want to control. VNC Free Edition 4.1 is available for pre-Vista machines. Vista users need the Personal Edition, which costs £14. Install the server on one machine, the client on the other, and you can control the host PC over an internet connection.

The drawback of VNC, aside from the fact that you can't transfer files, is that it can be difficult to establish a VNC connection between two PCs protected by firewalls. If this is a problem, there's a good, free option available. LogMeIn's basic version of its web-based software requires no software on the client machine. You must install an 8MB application that runs in the background on your host PC, but that's it. The result: you can access your home PC from any computer or mobile device with a web browser that can run JavaScript.

One problem with connections over the internet to another PC is that of security. You may feel that your PC is exposed, especially as unlike many remote access applications LogMeIn hurdles firewall and router obstructions with no problem. The reassurance is that you can only connect to your home PC through the LogMeIn website, which uses an SSL-secure gateway.

There are limitations to the free version. You can control only a single PC and you'll have to upgrade to the Pro version if you need 256-bit encryption, file transfer or remote printing.

Alternative: GoToMyPC (£120pa)

VPN
OpenVPN

Price: Free

From http://openvpn.net

VNC connections are fine for occasional use or if you don't need to transfer files. For more secure remote networking, you'll need Virtual Private Network (VPN) software, which allows private network access over public connections. VPN creates a secure tunnel between two machines and allows data to pass between them, free of snooping. For sharing data between offices, it's a lot cheaper than leased lines.

The cost of bespoke VPN hardware and software can run into thousands, and in general VPN networks are aimed at large businesses. However, there's no reason why you can't install your own VPN network using your home PC. Windows already has VPN client tools - you can set up a connection to a VPN server through XP or Vista's network control panel. The server side of things can be handled by OpenVPN. It's awkward to get up and run, however, and the console-style window it starts with isn't user friendly. Fortunately, a Windows front-end is available from http://openvpn.se.

Alternative: Cisco VPN (single licence from £20)