Blog
Release notes, how-tos and opinions on self-hosted remote access from the Remote Utilities team.

Customizing your Business for Mobile Users
Is your business network available on any device? With the increased focus on mobile marketing and business on the go, you should make sure to take the extra steps needed to optimize your network for access on smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. This can be as simple as revamping your company's website or as complex as overhauling the way you handle your network security. For some tips about moving to a mobile world, read on.
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Know Thy Enemy: Common Computer Viruses and how to Avoid Them
Nothing can cripple a network as thoroughly as a computer virus can. Having good firewall and virus protection software can help prevent your network from picking up these viruses, but it also helps to know more about the dangers out there. If you can recognize the behavior of specific types of viruses, that can help you avoid more dangers and find a cure faster in the unfortunate case that you wind up with this type of malware on your computer.
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Going Virtual: An Understanding of Virtual Desktops and What they can Offer your Business
How do you want employees to access your business network? An increasing number of businesses are switching partially or even fully to a virtual desktop model. Doing so comes with a lot of different benefits, but you also need to be aware of all the potential issues that you might face. When it comes time for you to make the decision about switching to a virtual model, you should consider the following logistical issues, which should help make sure you get set up right.
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Is P2P Networking Right for You?
What sort of networking is right for you? While most people in America access the Internet through a typical client-server model, there is another way. Peer-to-peer networking, often simply referred to as P2P, is a decentralized approach to networking in which network computers connect with other machines directly rather than using a central hub to access the worldwide web. What are the benefits and drawbacks to this approach? Read on to find out.
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Alternatives to Windows and How to Make them Work for your Network
Most businesses use Microsoft Windows in some form or another, but it is not the only operating system out there. Whether for business reasons, compatibility purposes, or just personal preference, some companies choose to use an alternative operating system for their business network, such as Linux, Apple’s Mac OSX, or Novell’s NetWare. Is this a move you should make? What are the possible implications? Read on to find out more about these alternatives.
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Getting Acquainted with Network Hardware
Where do you start building your network? The process can be quite intimidating at first, since there are so many different pieces of hardware and software to focus on. But once you take the time to learn about the elements of a network installation, you’ll find that it’s really not very hard to understand at all. Here’s a brief review of the hardware essentials to setting up a network. Once you’re familiar with these, getting started should be a breeze.
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A Step by Step Approach to Building a Network for your Business
So you’ve decided to take the jump and set up your own network for your business. This is an essential step in forming or improving any business, since so much work is now done away fr om the office. There are a lot of potential pitfalls that you need to be aware of, but these can be bypassed with some careful planning. Presented below are some simple decision you should make to ensure that you establish the most effective business network possible.
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Exploring the Basics of DNS
What’s in a name? In the case of DNS, the answer is quite a bit. DNS, or Domain Naming System, is one of the basic building blocks of the online world. This naming system allows a computer to be identified by other machines, which is essential to web based communications. Most systems automatically set a DNS, but there are advantages to knowing more about it and being able to customize the system for your own purposes. Read on to find out more.
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Wake on LAN Network Options: A Great Remote Solution
What do you do when you need to turn on a computer at a remote site that’s been shut down? You could call somebody on site, but that only works if they’re actually there. If you need access to a computer on off hours, during the weekend, or in another situation where having somebody turn it on for you is inconvenient or impossible, there is a simple solution. This solution is called Wake on LAN, and it is an effective way to improve your remote access abilities.
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5 Tips that will Boost your Network Security
How good is your network security? Many people assume that it’s fine because they haven’t had to deal with viruses or malicious attacks, but you might be more unprotected than you think. If you use remote utilities and require a functional network at all times, you should take the steps outlined below to protect yourself. Not only will this keep you safe from viruses, but it will also protect against other malicious attacks that might slow your network down.
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