Technological innovations over the past few years have reached new heights. There have been some highly innovative developments, the likes of which have never been seen in our lifetime. In the past, cellphones were used to provide people on-the-go with a communication device that could keep them connected to their associates while traveling. Changing market needs turned the cellphone into a device not only for voice communication, but also for text communication all over the world.
The cellphone now has now evolved into more than just a communications device. With the birth of a graphical user interface, the need for remote access grew. Using the telnet protocol, it extended into the wireless communication industry. The cellphone developed into a remote control, or an access terminal, for personal computers. Give the essential nature of cellphones, this technology advancement was inevitable. It was just a matter of time. Now, through the use of specialized software, cellphones can be used to control personal computers from a remote distance. A student who forgets to print his assignment can use his phone to access his PC from school, and voila! the day is saved. The same is true for people who have to make presentations and somehow lose their files. Their phones can give them access to the original document stored in a PC somewhere.
Gotomypc is the most common application software that allows for remote control of a computer. You must purchase the software in order to gain the access codes to install it. Gotomypc uses Java technology, which displays the Gotomypc icon on your phone. The software works through the thin client technology, a type of computer architecture that provides user interface without the hardware devices common in other systems. It also utilizes FTP and SSH communication to be able to actually download and upload files, along with some security measures.
Buyers may wonder if this allows people to hack them more easily. Remote access software has some vulnerabilities but are generally thought to be secure. There are no publicized cases regarding malicious attacks on a phone’s remote access software. Two things could be deduced from this: either the software is extremely secure or hackers haven’t yet figured out how to get through. Wireless handheld devices, like smartphones and their networks, are actually more vulnerable than this software. In other words, it’s not the software but the phone itself which is more vulnerable to attacks. For instance, there have been reports of text messages that enable a hacker to access and control others’ phones. Vulnerabilities can also come from downloading applications to your phone using Gotomypc. Just like a desktop computer, a phone can get viruses and other malwares through this activity. Moreover, leaving the phone’s bluetooth or infrared open can also cause others to access the phone without the owner’s knowledge. This is also true when you save sessions or store passwords. And, of course, once a phone is lost or stolen, remote access software should be uninstalled right away.
Here are some software picks for your smartphones:
Blackberry
Use the PCMobilizr. It’s relatively new but users speak highly of its features. A little pricey, but very efficient. If you want a 30-day trial, you can sign up for a free version on their website.
iPhone
Telekinesis enables remote access to your Mac from your iPhone. Its capabilities include screen capturing, home directory browsing, and even running AppleScripts. This is currently in its infancy stage, so expect some glitches. But if your operating system is not a Mac, you’ll need the TightVNC that comes with fully functional zooming and panning features.
Palm Pre & Treo 600
Use the PalmVNC, which is a free application software that will let you access Windows, Mac, or Unix workstations.
Microsoft Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone (Samsung’s SPH-i700)
PocketView from the GoToMyPC division of Citrix Systems Inc. allows for users to read files, access email, and mail files from their computers using their handheld devices.
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