Apple Remote Desktop Help
Index

# Virtual Network Computing Access

You can use Apple Remote Desktop to access a Virtual Network Computing (VNC) server and view and interact with the server's screen. VNC access is determined by the VNC server software. To access a VNC server, it is only necessary to know the IP address or fully qualified domain name and the password designated in the VNC server software.

This password does not necessarily correspond to any other password on the system, and is determined by the VNC configuration.

VNC access is similar to Apple Remote Desktop's Control command. It allows you to use your keyboard and mouse to control a VNC server across a network. It doesn't give any other Apple Remote Desktop administrator privileges except those of the currently logged-in user.

Non-Apple VNC viewers can control Apple Remote Desktop clients if the client allows it. Allowing a non-Apple VNC viewer access to an Apple Remote Desktop client is less secure than using Apple Remote Desktop to control the client. The VNC protocol implemented in third-party VNC viewers may not encrypt keystrokes sent over the network, so sensitive information can be intercepted.

WARNING: Granting VNC access to control a screen is the most powerful feature in Apple Remote Desktop, and can be equivalent to unrestricted access.

1. On the client computer, open System Preferences and click Sharing.

   If prompted, enter the user name and password of a user with administrator privileges on that computer.

2. Select Remote Management in the Sharing pane.

   If the client computer is running Mac OS X version 10.4 or earlier, change VNC access by selecting Apple Remote Desktop in the Sharing pane and clicking Access Privileges.

3. Click Computer Settings.
4. Select "VNC viewers may control screen with password."
5. Enter a VNC password.

   WARNING: Do not use the same password as any local user or Apple Remote Desktop login.