Hardware & Technology SIG


LogMeIn


Gene Boley

December 18, 2007

 

I have installed several programs that provided a control over another computer.  I have in turn uninstalled about the same number.  I am probably like many of you when I visit some family and friends the conversation eventually gets around to “While you are here would you take a look at my computer.  It hasn’t worked right since the grandkids were here”  I kept thinking someday I will find a program that will allow me to work on a computer at a remote site.

 

LogMeIn is the best I have found, and it has a free version.  Actually the program comes in many styles and blends, but the one I like and does everything I want is fortunately free.  An operator is not needed on the target PC.

 

The program is installed on the PC that you want to control remotely.  The system requirement for that PC is very basic.

 

Target PC (the computer that you will access remotely):

  1. Microsoft Windows Vista, XP and Server 2003 (all including 64-bit); Windows 98, ME, 2000.  Does not work on Linux or Mac operating system
  2. Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox
  3. A computer connected to the Internet via cable modem, ISDN, or DSL.
  4. On Windows NT/2000/XP/Server 2003 you must be a user with administrative privileges to install the software. You can check your current username or add new users to your PC by opening the Control Panel on your PC and clicking on User Accounts.

Local PC (the computer you will use to access the Target PC):

To remotely access your Target PC, all you need is any computer connected to the Internet or any web-enabled Pocket PC device.  This computer can also be running Linux or Mac

 

Procedure:

Go to LogMeIn website  www.logmein.com  and the below menu loads.  On this screen you have six options.  Click through these options to see if there is something you find a need for, but they all cost money.  They are mostly for business that wants control of their computers. 

 

First you need to establish an account.  Click on “Create an account.

Text Box:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following menu comes up.

 

 

Text Box: In the middle of this menu find LogMeIn free and click on sign up

 

Fill in the blanks, use the targets email and password for that email, check or uncheck the boxes, and click on “Create Account”. 

 

 

The next screen adds the target’s name and location to the account. 

 

On the Target PC log in to the account on the screen below and set up the target computer with a special password that must be used to access this target computer

 

 

With the target computer set up you are ready to set up the Local PC to take over the Target.

 

 

 

On Local PC (presumable your computer) go to the website and log in with the same email and password used on the Target PC.  The Target PC must be turned on and logged in.  Next screen find the target computer and click on it. 

 

 

 

The next screen is asking for the computer access code.  Enter it and click login.

 

 

The next screen is this…….Click Remote Control

 

 

You now have the target desktop …make full size

 

 

 

 

Is LogMeIn secure and what is SSL?

Yes. To prevent unauthorized access, LogMeIn requires you to enter separate passwords to access both your LogMeIn account and your Target PC's Windows login. LogMeIn uses 128- to 256-bit encryption to protect your passwords and data. It also includes such active defense features as IP filtering and lockout.

SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer, is a protocol used to encrypt data transmitted over the Internet. The SSL protocol is used by web sites that request confidential data such as credit card numbers or other private information. Web sites that use the SSL protocol have URLs that begin with https: rather than the standard http: LogMeIn uses SSL to protect the data you transmit when accessing your computers remotely, as indicated by the padlock icon that appears when you visit the LogMeIn web site.

 

LogMeIn is compatible with all known firewalls and broadband routers

 

LogMeIn is compatible with Zone Alarm’s personal firewall. However, Zone Alarm does require some configuration. After installing LogMeIn, Zone Alarm will ask whether to allow LogMeIn.exe to access the Internet. You must click YES, and tick the "Remember this answer next time I use this program".