Disable Remote Access

Being able to access your computer from across the network or around the world can be a very convenient thing. With Remote Assistance, you can invite your computer-wizard cousin who lives 2,000 miles away to connect with your computer so they can fix it or update it themselves rather than trying to walk you through it over the phone. Much faster for both of you. With Remote Desktop, you can connect to your computer from anywhere else and use your computer as if you were sitting in front of it. Odds are good though that most users will never, or at least rarely, really use these services. In the meantime, if they are turned on they represent a possible doorway for an attacker to gain access to your system. For security purposes, you should disable all services and processes that you aren't using. To turn off these remote access services, follow the instructions in Disable Remote Access: Step-By-Step.