is it possable to remotely control my linux pc through a web browser? i have an account with no-ip.com and they say its apparently possable, i just cant figure out how.

i would like to do it over ssh if possable, i already have that setup and can log in ok. but i really need to be able to use X really.

i cant use vnc as the pcs at my work have some sort of restriction on them, hence why i want to do it through a web browser.

any help would be great.

vnc is quite insecure, as passwords are sent clear text and only the first 8 chars are important. you can pipe vnc throu an ssh tunnel to make it secure and limit vnc on the server side to listen only to localhost (127.0.0.0/8)
if you have a linux pc as a client, then you could simply use X forwarding through ssh.
freenx is another something i would advise, as it is more secure than vnc and a lot faster. freenx has been designed for slow connections and works great over isdn speeds, whereas vnc has even a lag over a 10Mbit lan connection.

what probs are you experiencing with ssh?

If you want to remotely control your box through a browser I guess you have to use webmin using SSL since you're going to connect from your work. Read here about the requirements to use SSL connection

Nathanael - im using windoze at work so i guess i cant use freenx.
im not experiencing any problems with ssh, i just want to be able to use my home pc as i would if i were sat in front of it, from work.

bathory - iv had a quick look at webmin and im not quite sure its up to the job i want to do. can it control my pc (like use the mouse, run programs, ect) like i would if i was sat in front of it?

No it cannot do that. It can control and configure the services running on a remote box through web.
What you want can be done, usning vnc through ssh tunnel as Nathanael said.

ok using vnc will do, but can i use it in a web browser?
i cant install any software on my work pc

also Nathanael said that vnc is slow, is there a fast version of it?

If you can't install software in your work pc then a java client should the job. Take a look here for details.
Perhaps tightvnc is faster

vnc is generally slow! vnc can be controled via a webbrowser. just need to make a few config changes (usually you can just brows to <hostname>:5900 or 5901.
you enhance the speed of vnc by turning off all features, such as limiting to 256 colours, etc.

BTW, the nx client for windows is free!

ok nice 1, il try out ur suggestions when i get in.

cheers for the help

Since you can't install software to the work winderz PC why not boot off a Knoppix CD and use the included FreeNX client (you'd need to setup the server piece on your No-IP'd linux machine) like suggested by Nathanael, or use VNC tunneled thru SSH like also suggested here.

I'd also agree that FreeNX is way more secure than VNC and much faster than x forwarding.

Oh, there is a free FreeNX client for win32 available if you 'could' manage to install software on a work PC FWIW.


Good Luck.