How to VPN Into Your Home Computer from a Remote Location
If you’re reading this, I assume you have a laptop/desktop computer and you often find yourself browsing the web from work. Perhaps you’re even doing some research for school and want to keep some of the files on your private network. You may be wondering how to remotely access your personal computer (laptop or desktop) if you’re not at home during the day. Let’s explore how to do that securely so you can enjoy your private space even while working or studying away from home.
Find Out Who’s On Your Network
The first step in remote access is to find out who’s on your local network. This can be done in a number of ways – you can ask your friends, family, or coworkers if they’re aware of your PC’s IP address. You can also look online for helpful resources or ask your Internet service provider (ISP) about their security policy and whether or not they keep logs of network activity. If you’re really feeling adventurous, you can also use software designed specifically for detecting and revealing hidden computers on your network. Let’s explore each option in detail.
Ask Your Friends, Family, And Colleagues
The simplest solution for determining your PC’s IP address is to ask your friends, family, and coworkers. If they’re aware of your network, they’ll be able to provide the address directly. You can also ask them to check your network for you – if they haven’t changed the password in your account yet, they’ll be able to provide you with an easy to remember alternative.
The downside to this option is that it requires someone else to know about your private computer network. If this is something you’d like to keep private, then you might want to consider another option.
Look Online For Help
If you’re looking for a simple solution and you don’t want to ask anyone for help, you can always try searching online for information regarding your computer’s IP address. Simply enter your computer’s make and model in the search bar of your favorite search engine and you’ll be presented with a list of results. If you’re not sure what brand or model of computer you have, simply enter your computer’s name in the search bar – most manufacturers and models are fairly easy to identify.
The downside to this option is that you have to already know the IP address in order to access it remotely. If you’re looking for a way to hide your PC’s IP address, then you might want to consider searching for alternative solutions instead.
Use A Proxy Server
A proxy server is simply a tool that allows you to access the web with a different IP address than the one you’re currently logged in with. Proxies are often used when someone wants to access a website that’s not approved by the ISP or government (e.g. pirate sites, gambling sites, or sites that may otherwise violate government/ISP regulations).
One of the benefits of using a proxy server is that it masks your PC’s IP address – making it harder for someone else to figure out what it is. The downside is that you have to already have access to a proxy server (e.g. through your Internet service provider) in order to use it.
If you decide to use a proxy server, then make sure that you choose one that’s configured to work with your specific operating system (e.g. Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux). If you have a router already connected to the Internet, then it’s very likely that it’s also connected to a proxy server. You can ask your ISP to configure the proxy settings in your account or you can do this yourself by selecting Settings from the network icon in the top right corner of your screen. Once you’re in the Settings menu, look for a setting called “Proxy server” and ensure that it’s set to “Manual” or “None” (if you decide to use a proxy server, you have to disable your modem’s built-in proxy server – it’s usually found under the Settings menu in your modem’s software)
Use A Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A VPN is a tool that allows you to create a secure connection between two (or more) devices. Think of a VPN as an extension of your home network – it allows you to access resources on other remote computers just like you would from your own device. A VPN allows you to securely connect to your home computer (or any other device) from any other device or location. Through the use of encryption and other authentication methods, VPNs ensure that your personal information is kept secure while on the move.
VPNs are often used when someone wants to remotely access their home computer (from work or school) via the Internet. Rather than using a proxy server or going through a tunneling service (see below), a VPN is probably the most common solution for remote access. And considering that most VPNs are pretty affordable and easy to use, it’s not difficult to see why.
Do note that not all VPNs are created equal. Some VPNs are significantly more expensive than others – consider the price of the plan you’re about to purchase before making up your mind. Also, make sure that the VPN you’re considering using is compatible with your operating system. Last but not least, ensure that the VPN you’re considering using is easy to use – in case you’re not tech-savvy, you don’t want to spend hours struggling to set it up properly or use it effectively. If you have a specific VPN in mind, then perform a quick search on Google. You’ll usually find a link to the website of the VPN company directly in the search results.
Use A VPN Tunnel Service
VPN tunnels are much like VPNs but they’re specifically designed to allow you to securely access a specific website or service through a private connection. A VPN tunnel is often used in combination with a VPN to provide even more security – with a VPN tunnel, all of the data that’s sent through the connection is encrypted. This encryption makes it much more difficult for others to intercept/see/sniff/modify the data as it travels to and from the intended destination. And considering that most VPN tunnels are fairly easy to use and affordable (mostly because they’re offered as part of a bundled subscription), it’s not difficult to see why most people choose this option.
VPN tunnels are often used by individuals who want to access content from a website that’s restricted in some way by their Internet service provider (e.g. pirate sites or online gambling sites). You’ll find link to download the VPN tunnel software in the pages of most bundled magazines – simply follow the instructions that are provided and you’ll have an easy to use VPN tunnel up and running in no time.
Use A Secure Shell (SSH) Tunnel Or Remote Access Service
Similar to a VPN tunnel but without the need to set up anything extra on your end, a secure shell (SSH) tunnel allows you to securely access your private computer (or any other device) from any other device or location. Simply install and run the SSH client on your PC (or other devices) and you’ll be able to connect to your shell account on a remote server via a secure connection. Most people choose to do this via the Internet because it’s the easiest way to ensure that they have constant and reliable access to their private computer while working or studying away from home. It’s also the cheapest option overall – the only requirement is that you have a broadband Internet connection and a strong phone connection.
SSH tunnels are simple to set up and use – the only real requirement is that you have an account with a secure shell server (most companies offer this as part of their business plan or for free with their paid plans). After your account has been verified, simply download and install the SSH client on your PC (or other devices) and you’ll be able to gain access to your account.
The downside to using an SSH tunnel is that you have to already know the address of the computer/device you want to access (or your account information if you choose to log in from another location). If you’re not sure where your private server is located, then you might want to use an alternative solution instead. It’s also worth noting that SSH tunnels can be somewhat slow – depending on your Internet connection and the nature of the device you’re accessing, speeds can range from a few hundred kbs to over a megabit per second (1 Mbps or higher).