How Remote Desktop Software Works

It’s a cool trick to take over someone’s computer and make it seem like a phantom is controlling it. Many an IT geek has used this technology to play a practical joke on a co-worker or to freak out a new employee.

The underlying technology is known as remote desktop software and it serves several important functions in a business environment. The most important is for troubleshooting computer and software problems, which is the only legitimate use of remote controlling. The same technology allows users in remote locations to access centralized data, files, or software — a much more common occurrence now that companies are relying on cloud servers and technology.

The remote or controlling computer generates a copy of the information or program displayed on the originating computer. There is a timed interval for updating the copy. As the user makes changes to the copy, those changes are transmitted to the original computer through the remote access software. This makes the controlled computer behave as if the mouse and keyboard actions were being completed there instead of from a remote location.

Some remote access software will disable the input mechanisms of the controlled computer, such as the keyboard and mouse, so that the actions being completed remotely can not be overridden or interfered with. It is also possible to shut down the display of the controlled computer so that the remote session isn’t even visible at the site.