It is important, however, to differentiate remote PC access tools from remote PC control tools: the former allow you to remotely access your computer independently, without needing another person to be present at the other end; the latter are conceived to provide PC support and troubleshooting at-a-distance and this is why these tools require the presence of a user to authorize access to the remote computer.

With remote PC access tools, you can do both basic activities such as remote launching of applications you may not have installed on your portable laptop, or transferring and synchronizing files across your computers, or checking and sending emails while using the mail system available only inside your company.
Advanced capabilities available in some remote PC access tools include the ability to print documents saved on your remote computer to a local printer, the possibility to listen to the audio of your remote PC and the option to invite an online guest to view your remote PC as well.

Obviously these remote PC access tools require that the remote PC that you want to control be constantly connected to the Internet. In some cases, a small plugin or mini software app needs to be installed on the computer in order for you to be able to control it from a remote distance.
In this remote PC access mini-guide I have collected some of the most popular remote access tools and services available today and have identified the following traits and characteristics as differentiating criteria for this job:

• From which OS/platforms you can access the remote PC: the system requirements for computer from which we are accessing our remote computer
• Mobile – PDA – Pocket PC access: the support for mobile devices in general, whether they are mobile phones, PDAs or Pocket PCs
• File synch and transfer: the capability to synch up files and transfer them between the remote computer and the local computer
• Remote sound: the possibility to hear sounds that are being played on the remote computer
• Encryption: the availability of a protection system for your data while they are being remotely accessed
• Guest Invite: the possibility to invite a second person to temporarily view or share the control of your computer
• Copy & Paste between computers: the ability to directly copy and paste files between the remote computer and the local computer
• Remote screen blanking / Keyboard locking: the ability to prevent anyone at a remote location from tampering with your computer during a session
• Remote printing: the possibility to print any document from your remote computer on a local printer. Instantly obtain a hard copy of any document living on your remote computer

Please keep in mind that this mini-guide does not aim to be an exhaustive resource of all the remote PC access tools available out there. This list will grow with time thanks also to new tools and services that you will be suggesting by using the Comments section at the end of the article. Your feedback will be indeed precious to us.