I’m going to be away from home for a few weeks and would like to access my computer (LMDE) while I’m away. Remote desktop connection would be ideal, just file transfer would be acceptable.

Is a VPN necessary, or can port forwarding be good enough for a one time use?

What software/networking recommendations do you have?

  • Strit@lemmy.linuxuserspace.showEnglish
    1·
    45 minutes ago

    If you want a full complete remote desktop solution, you should probably look at VNC and portforwarding its port. I think it’s 3001.

    Or if you won’t (or can’t) mess with port forwards, you could setup something like RustDesk for the TeamViewer experience.

  • FunnySalt@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    2·
    1 hour ago

    Answering on the idea of port forwarding. Though like others have said, tailscale or similar is a better option.

    Opening an ssh port would allow file transfer. You could also so remote desktop with port forwarding over ssh and vnc (or some other more modern protocol, haven’t futzed with anything like that in a long time).

    Probably doesn’t need saying but make sure your system is up to date. Also using a nonstandard port and using key based authentication and disallowing password authentication and good security measures. If the device you’re connecting from isn’t something you’re bringing with you, you’d also need a copy of your private key.

  • litchralee@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    8·
    4 hours ago

    Port forwarding is moderately simple but there are risks to just opening a port and not guarding it with appropriate firewall rules. This includes an SSH server if not up-to-date.

    Whereas setting up something like Tailscale on your machine and on your laptop is exceedingly straightforward, avoids firewall reconfigurations, and Just Works™. You could then connect to whatever service you have running, just as if you were on your LAN. My only gripe is that you do need a Google/Microsoft/GitHub/Apple account or OIDC to set up.

    In the long term, if you have misgivings about that company operating the coordination server necessary for this tunneling solution, then there’s always the open-source Headscale, which is a drop-in replacement.