Remote desktop software

In computing, the term remote desktop refers to a software- or operating system feature that allows a personal computer's desktop environment to be run remotely from one system (usually a PC, but the concept applies equally to a server or a smartphone), while being displayed on a separate client device.

This is widely used by many computer manufacturers and large businesses help desks for technical troubleshooting of their customer's problems.

In a typical VNC session, all keystrokes and mouse clicks are registered as if the client were actually performing tasks on the end-user machine.

Many of these core functions, including the main clipboard, can be shared between the target computer and remote desktop client.

Remote control software combined with telephone communication can be nearly as helpful for novice computer-users as if the support staff were actually there.

While desktop sharing and remote administration have many legal uses, "RAT" connotes criminal or malicious activity.