How to tell if remote desktop is being used
First option - use command line to "query user /server:SERVERNAME" (or "quser.exe" - same thing). This shows User name, Session name, Session Id, Session state, Idle Time and Logon Time for all logged in users. Show
Second option option - use command line to "query session /server:SERVERNAME". This shows User name, Session name, Session ID and Session state. It shows all sessions, including disconnected ones, which might be useful. Third option: install Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Manager, configure your server(s), then right-click on the server to "list sessions". This shows Session ID, Session state, User domain/name, client machine name. Note that quser and qsession don't show client machine name, which might be useful to identify who is actually using the machine. RDCM doesn't show idle/logon time though, and it's quite outdated and glitchy. Also important to note that all methods will fail to show active sessions if current user does not have admin rights on the queried remote server. So use "runas /u:DOMAIN\adminUser cmd.exe" to start adming console first.
FWIW, my optical mouse does that all the time. Mouse quirk. What sort of desktop are you using the mouse on? Woodgrains and other surfaces with varied colorings can throw the optics off and make your cursor jump all over creation. A plain, solid color surface is best for optical mice. I've actually resorted to using an old mousepad. Taping down a sheet of paper works well, too. optical mice sometimes skip; get a different mousepad (or start using one if you're not) and see if it goes away. (every one of the optical mice I've ever used has skipped at one time or another - how much really depends on what kind of desk I'm sitting at at the time.) remote desktop in Windows XP will lock you out if someone else connects to it (you're only allowed to have one person at a time actively logged into the computer). you could try turning off Remote Assistance - right click on My Computer, go to Properties, and uncheck it in Remote. you may not have permissions to do that though. the only other thing you may have is a rogue copy of VNC on there - you may be able to get your admin friend to scan for it. googling for VNC detectors was unsuccessful (it's a legit program and most copies of it don't have facilities to bury themselves in your system). If you are logged in nobody can remote desktop in. There is something else called remote assistance but if somebody is using that it's super obvious. Probably just a bad mouse. you can run the 'netstat' command from the command line to see whose connected. my cheap MS optical mouse does this all the time, i hate it, i cleaned out all my drivers as per what MS says and it came back just a few days later. My cheapo logitech mouse enjoys sending the mouse pointer towards the upper left corner of my screen if I leave it unattended for more than 10 seconds or so. I blame the earths magnetic field, and the ghost of John Candy. Funny I've been thinking of asking this question for a week or so now, but I've been putting it off assuming I'm just being paranoid and that it was probably my optical mouse. Thanks for asking mikeanegus, and thanks to everyone else for calming my nerves. Same here Raedyn! Along the same lines, is there a way to see if someone is piggybacking on my wireless connection? My cheap optical mouse used to do that all the time, and I'd always accidentally click on the wrong thing if I wasn't careful. My boyfriend hated it, and got his sister to buy me a new optical mouse for Christmas one year. I haven't had that problem since. « Older about turn | Good lunch on the Jersey Turnpike or Garden State... Newer » This thread is closed to new comments.
This document provides steps to view the history of remote control connections for individual computers or for all computers. This information can be used when you are auditing various roles in your company. StepsYou can view the remote-control history of:
You can view the remote-control history of a specific computer. To view the history of all computers, follow the steps given below:
You can view the remote-control history of all the computers in your network.
"Can someone access my computer remotely without me knowing?" The answer is "Yes!". This could happen when you are connected to the internet on your device. If you have a slight doubt that someone is spying on your computer remotely and want to know the ways about how to tell if your PC is being remotely accessed, then this post is for you. We will guide you top 8 ways about how to tell if someone is viewing your computer remotely in no time. Noted: The methods we provide cover both Windows and Mac computers. How Do I Know If Someone is Accessing My Computer Remotely?Figuring out whether someone is remotely viewing your computer or not is not a tough job, but you need to be a little cautious and clear your doubts right away. Here are the 8 best methods of finding out if someone hacks into your computer and remotely monitor your computer. You can try any of these for confirmation. Way 1: Disconnect Your Computer From the InternetEverything is possible because of the internet. No internet means no one can remotely view your PC; if you doubt that someone is using your PC the same as you, immediately disconnect your internet. Disconnecting the internet from the taskbar might not be enough because it can easily connect on its own. You need to do something more. Steps to disconnect your computer from the internet
Way 2. Check the List of Recently Accessed FilesWe all remember the last accessed file on our computer unless it's been ages or someone has used our computer. If you feel any unusual activity on your PC or Mac, your immediate step should be to check the recently accessed files. It will clarify whether or not if someone is accessing your computer. Steps to check the list of recently accessed files on Windows PC
Steps to check the list of recently accessed files on MacCheck recent items:
Check recent files:
Way 3: Check Your Browser History on The ComputerChecking your browser history is also a way to tell if someone is spying on your computer. Regardless of what browser you use, you can check it's brsowing history. Below we will guide you the detailed steps to do that on some mainstream browsers on a computer. Steps to check your browsing history on Google Chrome
Steps to check your browsing history on Mozilla Firefox
Steps to check your browsing history on Safari
Steps to check your browsing history on Internet Explorer
Steps to check your browsing history on Microsoft Edge
Way 4: Check Recently Modified FilesA remote viewer might not only be viewing your files but also making changes to them. So you can check the history of "last accessed files on your computer to confirm if someone has used your PC remotely. Steps to Check Recently Modified Files on Windows
Steps to Check Recently Modified Files on Mac
Way 5: Check Your computer's Login EventsChecking login activity is another way of finding out if someone is remotely monitoring your device. Follow the simple steps given below to figure out. Steps to check login events on Windows computer
Steps to check login events on Mac
Way 6: Use the Task Manager to Detect Remote AccessTask managers can help you detect remote viewers within a few seconds. It is an ideal way to check on secret remote viewers. On Windows computer, it is called Task Manager, and On Mac computer, it is called Activity Monitor. Below are the simple steps of using task management for detecting remote access on your computer. Steps to use Task Manager to detect remote access on Windows
Steps to use Activity Monitor to detect remote access on Mac
Way 7: Check Your Firewall SettingsNot everyone is comfortable with one specific method of doing anything. Hence, here we bring another simple and efficient way of detecting remote viewers - check your Firewall settings. If you find out a program has been granted access to move past the firewall on your computer and you don't know that could be a sign that someone is spying on my computer remotely. Follow the simple steps below of reviewing your firewall settings and catch the spy. Steps to check your firewall settings on Windows
Steps to check your firewall settings on Mac
Way 8: Scan your Computer for Viruses and MalwareScanning your computer for viruses and malware is not only an effective way of catching remote viewers but is also good for the overall health of your PC as well. It can help detect viruses etc., on your computer, and you can get rid of them in no time by running the program. In case you are new and want to know "how can I tell if someone is spying on my computer remotely," follow the steps below to scan your computer. Steps to scan Viruses and Malware on Your ComputerFor Windows users: If you want to use the built-in tools for scanning, go to settings and choose "Update and Security' and then click on "Windows Security" and wait for scanning programs to appear. Run one of those programs and follow the on-screen prompts.
For Mac users: It seems like Mac itself doesnot have a build-in tool to scan for viruses and malware. So if you want to do that, you will need to use some third-party tools. How to Stop Someone from Accessing Your ComputerHow can you stop others from accessing your PC? You need to take action to protect your computer from these snoopers. There are three easy ways given below that can help you secure your computer. Way 1: Update Your PasswordIf your password is old or easy to guess, it means it's super easy for anyone to get in. so change your password immediately and make sure not to tell anyone. Way 2: Remember to Lock Your ScreenIf you are sure your new password is strong enough, the second step is to develop a habit of locking your screen every time you move away from the laptop. It is so because when you lock your screen, the snooper will log out as well, and he will need a passcode to enter again. In most devices, the "lock screen" option appears next to "shutdown" in the main menu. Way 3: Log Out of Everything EverywhereAnother method is to log out everything everywhere. It will log you and the snoopers out. But the good part is, you can log in back with the new password, while the snooper can't. Hence it will be easier for you to keep a check on your computer's activity. Bonus Tip - If You Want to Access Someone's Computer RemotelyIf you want to access others' computers remotely and check what they are doing on the computer, you can turn to a third-party tool for help. MoniVisor for Windows monitoring app is a recommended third-party tool that helps remotely track other PCS remotely. It can run in the background without getting noticed.
The main features of MoniVisor for Win are:
This software is safe to use and very easy to get started with. It also offers clear guide for you to follow. Or you can check the free demo below first to get more details about its features. Monitor Now View Demo ConclusionThere are various ways to tell if someone is remotely viewing your computer, and we've discussed some of the easy ones for you to detect remote access on windows and Mac computers. Hope it can help. Or you can tell us what you think in the "Comment" section! |