View source for Remote desktop software

{{Short description|Desktop run remotely from local device}}
{{Redirect|Remote desktop||Remote desktop (disambiguation)}}
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{{Original research|date=July 2011}}
{{Cleanup|date=July 2011}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
In [[computing]], the term '''remote desktop''' refers to a [[software]]- or [[operating system]] feature that allows a [[personal computer]]'s [[desktop environment]] to be run remotely from one system (usually a PC, but the concept applies equally to a [[server (computing)|server]] or a [[smartphone]]), while being displayed on a separate [[Client (computing)|client device]]. Remote desktop applications have varying features. Some allow attaching to an existing user's [[login session|session]] and "remote controlling", either displaying the remote control session or blanking the screen. Taking over a desktop remotely is a form of remote administration.

== Overview ==
Remote access can also be explained as the remote control of a computer by using another device connected via the internet or another network. This is widely used by many computer manufacturers and large businesses help desks for technical troubleshooting of their customer's problems.

Remote desktop software captures the mouse and keyboard inputs from the local computer (client) and sends them to the [[remote computer]] (server).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://remoteaccess.itarian.com/free-instant-remote-access.php |title=Remote Desktop Software |website=ITarian.com | access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref> The remote computer in turn sends the display commands to the local computer. When applications with many graphics including video or 3D models need to be controlled remotely, a remote workstation software that sends the pixels rather than the display commands must be used to provide a smooth, like-local experience.

Remote desktop sharing is accomplished through a common client/server model. The client, or [[Virtual Network Computing |VNC]] viewer, is installed on a local computer and then connects via a network to a server component, which is installed on the remote computer. In a typical VNC session, all keystrokes and mouse clicks are registered as if the client were actually performing tasks on the end-user machine.<ref>[http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5428-virtual-network-computing.html Virtual Network Computing (VNC): Making Remote Desktop Sharing Possible]. Businessnewsdaily.com (2013-11-07). Retrieved on 2014-02-27.</ref>

Remote desktops also have a major advantage for security development, companies are able to permit software engineers who may be dispersed geographically to operate and develop from a computer which can be held within the companies office or cloud environment.  

The target computer in a remote desktop scenario is still able to access all of its core functions. Many of these core functions, including the main [[Clipboard_(computing)|clipboard]], can be shared between the target computer and remote desktop client.

Following the onset of [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19]], the shift to remote-work environments has led many to work from home with devices without enterprise IT support. As a result, these workers were reliant on remote desktop software to collaborate and keep their systems available and secure.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Manson |first=Jonathan |date=2022-04-03 |title=Remote Desktop Software as a forensic resource |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23742917.2022.2049560 |journal=Journal of Cyber Security Technology |language=en |volume=6 |issue=1–2 |pages=1–26 |doi=10.1080/23742917.2022.2049560 |issn=2374-2917|doi-access=free }}</ref>

== Uses ==
A main use of remote desktop software is remote administration and remote implementation. This need arises when software buyers are far away from their software vendor. Most remote access software can be used for "[[headless computer]]s": instead of each computer having its own monitor, keyboard, and mouse, or using a [[KVM switch]], one computer can have a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and remote control software, and control many headless computers. The duplicate desktop mode is useful for user support and education. Remote control software combined with telephone communication can be nearly as helpful for novice computer-users as if the support staff were actually there.

Remote desktop software can be used to access a remote computer: a physical personal [[computer]] to which a user does not have physical access, but that can be accessed or interacted with.<ref>{{Cite web|title=What is Remote Computer? – Definition from Techopedia|url=https://www.techopedia.com/definition/23696/remote-computer|access-date=2020-06-10|website=Techopedia.com|language=en}}</ref> Unlike [[Server (computing)|servers]], remote computers are mainly used for peer to peer connections, where one device is unattended. A remote computer connection is generally only possible if both devices have a [[Computer network|network]] connection.

Since the advent of [[cloud computing]] remote desktop software can be housed on [[USB mass storage device class|USB hardware devices]], allowing users to connect the device to any PC connected to their network or the Internet and recreate their desktop via a connection to the cloud. This model avoids one problem with remote desktop software, which requires the local computer to be switched on at the time when the user wishes to access it remotely. (It is possible with a router with C2S VPN support, and [[wake on LAN]] equipment, to establish a [[virtual private network]] (VPN) connection with the router over the Internet if not connected to the [[LAN]], switch on a computer connected to the router, then connect to it.)

Remote desktop products are available in three models: hosted service, software, and appliance.

[[Technical support scam|Tech support scammers]] use remote desktop software to connect to their victim's computer and will often lock out the computer if the victim does not cooperate.

== Protocols ==
Remote desktop [[protocol (computing)|protocols]] include the following:
* [[Apple Remote Desktop]] Protocol (ARD){{snd}} Original protocol for [[Apple Remote Desktop]] on [[macOS]] machines.
* [[Appliance Link Protocol]] (ALP){{snd}} a [[Sun Microsystems]]-specific protocol featuring audio (play and record), remote printing, remote [[USB]], accelerated video
* [[HP Remote Graphics Software]] (RGS){{snd}} a [[proprietary protocol]] designed by [[Hewlett-Packard]] specifically for high end workstation remoting and collaboration.
* [[Independent Computing Architecture]] (ICA){{snd}} a [[proprietary protocol]] designed by [[Citrix Systems]]
* [[NX technology]] (NX) a [[proprietary protocol]] designed by [[NoMachine]] with open-source derivatives available from other forked projects.
* [[PCoIP|PC-over-IP (PCoIP)]]{{snd}} a [[proprietary protocol]] used by [[VMware]] (licensed from [[Teradici]])<ref>{{cite web|title=VMware Announces Strategic Licensing and Co-development Agreement with Teradici for True Remote PC User Experience Further Bolstering its vClient Initiative|url=http://www.vmware.com/company/news/releases/teradici_vmworld08.html|work=VMware News Releases|publisher=VMware|access-date=1 June 2013}}</ref>
* [[Remote Desktop Protocol]] (RDP){{snd}} a [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]-specific protocol featuring audio and remote printing
* [[RFB protocol|Remote Frame Buffer Protocol]] (RFB){{snd}} A framebuffer level cross-platform protocol that [[Virtual Network Computing|VNC]] is based on.
* [[SPICE (protocol)|SPICE]] (Simple Protocol for Independent Computing Environments) – remote-display system built for virtual environments by [[Qumranet]], now [[Red Hat]]
* [[Xpra]]{{snd}} a protocol originally developed for forwarding X11 application seamlessly with audio, video, remote printing, etc. – extended to support [[Windows]] and [[macOS]] servers
* [[X Window System]] (X11){{snd}} a well-established cross-platform protocol mainly used for displaying local applications; X11 is [[Network transparency|network-transparent]]
* [[Wake-on-LAN]]{{snd}} a standard protocol for remotely waking up computers that are in low-power mode (turned off, but still have access to a power source).

== Malicious variants ==
A '''{{visible anchor|remote access trojan}}''' ('''{{visible anchor|RAT}}''', sometimes called '''{{visible anchor|creepware}}''')<ref>{{cite web|date=10 December 2013|title=Creepware — Who's Watching You?|url=https://community.broadcom.com/symantecenterprise/communities/community-home/librarydocuments/viewdocument?DocumentKey=308d3be2-cb5d-4629-afe8-7711f4ef2dc8&CommunityKey=1ecf5f55-9545-44d6-b0f4-4e4a7f5f5e68&tab=librarydocuments|work=Symantec Security Response}}</ref> is a type of [[malware]] that controls a system through a remote network connection. While [[desktop sharing]] and [[remote administration]] have many legal uses, "RAT" connotes criminal or malicious activity.  A RAT is typically installed without the victim's knowledge, often as payload of a [[Trojan horse (computing)|Trojan horse]], and will try to hide its operation from the victim and from [[computer security software]] and other anti-virus software.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee449475%28WS.10%29.aspx |title=Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 |website=[[Microsoft TechNet]] |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=4 June 2009 |access-date=4 February 2011}},</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd632947.aspx |title=Danger: Remote Access Trojans |website=[[Microsoft TechNet]] |date=September 2002 |access-date=5 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc751300.aspx |title=Understanding the Windows NT Remote Access Service |website=[[Microsoft TechNet]] |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |access-date=5 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc757467%28WS.10%29.aspx |title=Netsh commands for remote access (ras) |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |website=[[Microsoft TechNet]] |date=January 21, 2005 |access-date=5 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/267861 |title=RAS Registry Modification Allowed Without Administrative Rights |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |website=[[Microsoft TechNet]] |access-date=5 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://howtheyhack.com/computer-rats-protecting-your-self/ |title=Computer RATS – Protecting Your Self |website=HowTheyHack |date=July 2013 |access-date=17 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314040920/http://howtheyhack.com/computer-rats-protecting-your-self |archive-date=14 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Notable examples===
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--->
* [[Back Orifice]]
* [[Back Orifice 2000]]
* [[Beast (Trojan horse)|Beast Trojan]]
* [[Bifrost (trojan horse)|Bifrost]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2007/03/code-access-security-and-bitfrost.html |title=Code Access Security and bifrost |website=CodingHorror.com |date=20 March 2007 |access-date=5 February 2011}}</ref>
* [[Blackshades Remote Access Tool|Blackshades]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-27471218 | title=BlackShades: Arrests in computer malware probe | website=[[BBC News]] | access-date=20 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fbi.gov/newyork/press-releases/2014/remarks-prepared-for-delivery-by-special-agent-in-charge-leo-taddeo-at-blackshades-press-conference | title=Remarks Prepared for Delivery by Special Agent in Charge Leo Taddeo at Blackshades Press Conference | website=fbi.gov | publisher=[[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] | access-date=20 May 2014}}</ref>
* [[DarkComet]]<ref>{{cite web | last=Denbow | first=Shawn | title=pest control: taming the rats | url=http://www.matasano.com/research/PEST-CONTROL.pdf | access-date=5 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Aylward | first=Laura | title=Malware analysys – Dark Comet RAT | url=http://contextis.com/research/blog/malware-analysis-dark-comet-rat/ | website=Contextis | access-date=5 March 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426053741/http://www.contextis.com/research/blog/malware-analysis-dark-comet-rat/ | archive-date=26 April 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Havex]]
*{{anchor|Imminent Monitor}}Imminent Monitor<ref>{{cite news |title=Brisbane teenager built spyware used by domestic violence perpetrators across world, police allege |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jul/30/brisbane-teenager-built-spyware-used-by-domestic-violence-perpetrators-across-world-police-allege |access-date=23 September 2022 |work=[[the Guardian]] |date=30 July 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Advice for potential victims of IM-RAT malware |url=https://www.afp.gov.au/rats |website=Australian Federal Police |access-date=23 September 2022 |language=en |date=29 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=International crackdown on RAT spyware, which takes total control of victims' PCs |url=https://www.europol.europa.eu/media-press/newsroom/news/international-crackdown-rat-spyware-which-takes-total-control-of-victims%E2%80%99-pcs |website=[[Europol]] |access-date=23 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Cybercrime Network focuses on support to victims of malware |url=https://www.eurojust.europa.eu/news/cybercrime-network-focuses-support-victims-malware |website=[[European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation]] |access-date=23 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[NjRAT]]
* [[PoisonIvy (Trojan)|PoisonIvy]]
* [[Sub7|Sub Seven]]

== See also ==
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--->
* [[Chrome Remote Desktop]]
* [[Comparison of remote desktop software]]
* [[Comparison of screencasting software]]
* [[Desktop virtualization]]
* [[Extranet]]
* [[FreeRDP]]
* [[Remote administration]]
* [[Remote Desktop Protocol|Remote desktop protocol]]
* [[Technical support scam]]
* [[Virtual Desktop Extender]]
* [[Virtual Desktop Infrastructure]] (VDI)
* [[Virtual machine]]
* [[Software as a service]] (SaaS)

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Wiktionary-inline}}
* {{Commonscatinline}}

{{Remote administration software}}
{{Information security}}

[[Category:Remote desktop| ]]