VPN vs. Remote Desktop
Remote Desktop is a common name for a group of applications that allow a user to access and control a computer from a remote location. This is very advantageous for those who are constantly on the move, but need the resources that are on their desktop.
People who commonly use Remote Desktop are those who work at home, or are in the field. A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is the creation of a smaller private network on top of a larger public network, like the internet.
Computers that are connected through a VPN, act as if they are physically connected to the same switch. VPN allows applications that only work on a local network, to work on the internet.
Both VPN and Remote Desktop are methods of accessing resources that are located in a remote location, but they differ in what you are allowed to access. Using VPN to connect to a network, you are only allowed to access resources that are shared on that network.
This includes shared folders, printers, and even other servers on the network. Remote Desktop gives you access to a lot more, as it gives you full control of a specific computer on the network.
This gives you access to shared network resources, along with the resources of the computer that is being controlled. The user can launch applications, and perform other operations, as if he is right on that desk.
Although they are very different, it is common for people to use them in tandem. The security provided by Remote Desktop applications are often not top-notch, and can be broken with a little persistence.
To prevent this from happening, it is advised to use Remote Desktop applications that are tunneled through a VPN connection. There are a variety of ways to secure a VPN connection, and users can simply choose a combination of these, depending on how confidential is the data. The resulting nested structure is very secure and difficult to access.
Summary:
- A VPN is a smaller private network that runs on top of a larger public network, while Remote Desktop is a type of software that allows users to remotely control a computer.
- Remote Desktop allows access and control to a specific computer, while VPN only allows access to shared network resources.
- Most Remote Desktop applications are tunneled through secure VPNs, to add another layer of security.