Mac "Screen Sharing" app seems to work fine for machines on the local network. Is there any way to make it work for those outside the network? I'm familiar with Chrome Remote Desktop, AnyDesk, and TeamViewer, but I was wondering if any native app can do it.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iMac (M1, 2021)
Yes, but not easily.
1) Simplest approach is to have both Macs using TailScale.com so both Macs appear as if they are on the same local area network, even they are on opposite sides of the planet.
2) You can start a FaceTime connection between the 2 Macs (requires someone be sitting at each Mac) and initiate Screen Sharing.
3) You can arrange for the remote Mac’s home router to port forward a high numbered port to port 22 (ssh port), get a No-IP.com dynamic DNS name, run the No-IP dynamic DNS updater app on the remote Mac, then enable System Settings-> General-> Sharing -> Remote Login, then from your Mac start an ssh connection with a Screen Sharing tunnel
ssh -L 56789:localhost:22 dynmic.dns.name
now you can start a screen sharing session
Finder-> Go (menu)-> Connect to server -> vnc://localhost:56789
piece of 🎂
PS. I’ve done all 3, and the TailScale.com is the easiest secure unattended remote access method.
The ssh is secure, but takes lots of advanced setup and networking knowledge.
Yes, but not easily.
1) Simplest approach is to have both Macs using TailScale.com so both Macs appear as if they are on the same local area network, even they are on opposite sides of the planet.
2) You can start a FaceTime connection between the 2 Macs (requires someone be sitting at each Mac) and initiate Screen Sharing.
3) You can arrange for the remote Mac’s home router to port forward a high numbered port to port 22 (ssh port), get a No-IP.com dynamic DNS name, run the No-IP dynamic DNS updater app on the remote Mac, then enable System Settings-> General-> Sharing -> Remote Login, then from your Mac start an ssh connection with a Screen Sharing tunnel
ssh -L 56789:localhost:22 dynmic.dns.name
now you can start a screen sharing session
Finder-> Go (menu)-> Connect to server -> vnc://localhost:56789
piece of 🎂
PS. I’ve done all 3, and the TailScale.com is the easiest secure unattended remote access method.
The ssh is secure, but takes lots of advanced setup and networking knowledge.
Thanks. That's interesting. I guess what I'm trying to understand is if someone can log into my Mac from outside my network without me launching some app on my machine. I have a Windows friend whose PC has been"taken over" by some remote scammer, presumably just by knowing the system password, and without using any software app like CRD, AnyDesk, or TeamViewer.
Nothing is impossible when connected to the internet, however, by default screen sharing is not enabled, remote login is not enabled, etc…
The most likely vector is social engineering, where someone gets you to unknowingly give them access, by installing something. Maybe promising something fantastic or scaring you with fake virus reports.
macOS, while not perfect, started out more secure, as it roots were Unix, which had years of college students beating on it, and Unix was one of the first networked operating systems.
In the pre-internet years Microsoft was not networked, andadded features because they were cool, plus they had lots of young developers without adult supervision. So features were added without thought about security.
Windows has gotten much better over the years, but they still have issues, and a larger installed base, more frequently used in business, so a larger and more profitable target.
You should practice save internet surfing, do not fall for scare tactics, make sure you full trust where you get your software.
Can Mac Screen Sharing work with External Networks?