====== Remote Access Security Risks ====== {{:qortal_official_logo_transparent_.png?400|}} Please consider the risks associated with allowing someone to have remote access to your node. Also, consider how you remotely access your node if you choose to do so. ===== Allowing Someone Else To Access ===== You should never allow anyone to remotely access your device(s) unless you really trust them. Often times tech support can do things that you can watch on your screen as they go, but it is possible for the so-called tech support to do things on the backend of your computer that you cannot see on the screen! So if you choose to let someone have access, YOU ASSUME ALL RISK! Your Qortal account could be compromised, which means the hacker would not have to use your device again to hack your Qortal account later. This also leads to an important point that you should NEVER click links from people you don't trust. As a simple link could gain access to your device. This applies to any type of device, including your cell phone. Technology has come a long ways, don't be the next victim! If you need tech support with your node, the community should be pointing you to the wiki where we will stay on top of help guides. Ideally any tech support should be done in our tech support channels publicly so we can all see and vet for the advice given. Even more so as things evolve and we can easily be missing/mistaking a step. Please be careful. ===== Remote Access For Yourself ===== If you would like to remotely access your device from another computer, it is safe to do so, if you follow the proper procedures. It is highly encouraged to use a VPN on all of your devices, that is, we have been vetting NordVPN as some others are not credible. At all. Be sure to especially use a VPN if you are using WiFi as it is NOT secure by nature. Especially outside of your home, for example at Starbucks. You could safely remote into your device while using the WiFi at Starbucks with a VPN, as a VPN encrypts your data. And as always, be sure to use a unique password(s) for your devices that you don't use elsewhere. If a database is breached on another website where you use the same password, that hacker could then go after any device or account they find out about you. Databases get hacked all the time, it's a reality! Same goes for WiFi.