How to control someones computer

Level of difficulty: Easy

Controlling someone’s computer without the prior permission of the user is not only punishable by law, but is also considered an extremely low and sneaky practice. Hackers often break into other computers within a network through glitches and local area networks, especially when the firewall is inactive or critical. However, it might often be that users themselves need external assistance regarding some technical assistance in their own computers. There is a perfectly easy way to go about it, without even having to have the person physically operate or access the computer. This facility is called ‘Remote Assistance’. In Microsoft Windows, this remote assistance facility could be activated through enabling a function called ‘Windows NetMeeting’.

Materials Needed:
- Specialized software
Step 1
In the newer versions of Windows like Windows XP, Microsoft NetMeeting is preinstalled. However, one still needs to configure NetMeeting on XP before using it. To configure NetMeeting on XP, the following steps need to be followed.
Step 2
From the Start menu, Click on the Run option.
Step 3
In the Run option, please type in the command ‘conf.exe’. This command initiates the NetMeeting function.
Step 4
When the NetMeeting Wizard displays, Click on the Tab ‘Next’ to continue.
Step 5
All necessary information like name, user id and email needs to be typed in.
Step 6
There are some boxes (options) that are left unchecked by default.
Step 7
You would be prompted to select a connection speed that suits your present connection, or is a close match. Select a speed from a given drop-down option list.
Step 8
By default both 'Put a shortcut to NetMeeting on my desktop' and 'Put a shortcut to NetMeeting on my Quick Launch bar' are checked. The user is supposed to follow personal discretion in keeping these checked or unchecked. Then follow the instruction
Step 9
When running the NetMeeting, click on the ‘Tools’ option, and select ‘Remote Desktop Sharing’ to enable the Remote Desktop Sharing.
Step 10
It is also extremely necessary to enable Incoming calls and Outgoing calls, to facilitate direct contact with the assistance/User. To do that, select Tools>Options>Security. Check both 'Incoming Calls' and 'Outgoing Calls'.
Step 11
Once the NetMeeting is configured, you could always ask for remote assistance from any trusted user by sharing your IP details. Conversely, you could also respond to calls for assistance by any user. It is to be noted, that the Firewall settings must be turned off, or particular IP address must be added to the list of Firewall exceptions. Also, while desktop sharing, the computer monitor cannot be accessed by the user.