Using Remote Desktop Sharing on Windows with Pinggy

In this blog, we’ll explore how to securely connect to a Windows machine remotely over the internet using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) without the need for port forwarding. By leveraging Pinggy, you can bypass the challenges of NAT and firewall restrictions, enabling seamless access to your desktop from anywhere in the world.

Remote Desktop in Windows

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a built-in Windows feature that allows you to remotely access and control your computer as if you were sitting in front of it. RDP is widely used in IT management, remote work, and personal use for accessing files, applications, or managing tasks. However, establishing a secure RDP connection over the internet can be challenging due to network configurations and security concerns.

Problems with NAT, CGNAT, and Firewalls

Network Address Translation (NAT) and Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT) assign private IP addresses to devices, restricting direct access from external networks. Similarly, firewalls block unauthorized traffic to protect devices. These barriers make it difficult to establish an RDP connection unless you configure port forwarding or obtain a public IP address.

Pinggy offers a streamlined solution, bypassing these restrictions with its tunneling service, allowing secure and straightforward remote access without modifying your router or exposing your system to vulnerabilities.

Step-by-Step Guide

Pinggy enables a secure RDP connection to your machine, even behind a firewall or NAT router. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Setup remote desktop connection using Pinggy.

1. Open your terminal or command prompt on the Windows machine you want to access. Use the following command to set up a tunnel:

   ssh -p 443 -R0:127.0.0.1:3389 tcp@a.pinggy.io
   

   Customize your command:

   SSH CLI

   Mac / Linux Windows Powershell Windows CMD

   When the tunnel reconnects, your public URL will change. Upgrade to Pinggy Pro for persistent URLs.

   ---

   Settings:

   Auto USA Europe Asia Region

   Password Protect

   QR Code

   Keep Alive

   Auto Reconnect

   Web Debugger

   Manually check host key

   IP Whitelist

   Invalid CIDR Format

   Key / Token Authentication

   IP Whitelist

   Invalid CIDR Format

   HTTPS only

   Forward to other hosts

   Connect to HTTPS Server

   Reverse Proxy

   Force

   Allow CORS preflight

   X-Forwarded-For header

   Original request url header

   Use Token

   Alphanumeric characters only

   Web Debugger Port

   Live Header Modifications

   Add header modification rule

2. Once executed, it will ask for permission to connect. Grant the permission, and if prompted for a password, enter it or press Enter. Pinggy will then provide a public URL and port, such as: tcp://kduyqzdhwu.a.pinggy.link:22348

This command creates a tunnel that forwards traffic from Pinggy’s server to your local machine’s RDP port (3389).

Step 2: Access Your Machine Using Remote Desktop Connection

Open the Remote Desktop Connection app on another computer. Enter the public URL provided by Pinggy. For example, in our case, it was:

kduyqzdhwu.a.pinggy.link:22348

Click on Connect and provide the credentials for your Windows account.

You are now securely connected to your Windows desktop!

Conclusion

In this guide, we covered how to use Pinggy to securely access your Windows machine using RDP. This method bypasses the limitations of NAT or firewall restrictions, providing a simple and secure solution for remote desktop sharing.

By combining the power of RDP with Pinggy, you can enhance your remote work capabilities, ensuring seamless and secure access to your machine from anywhere in the world.