How to create a remote connection for monitoring

How-To
1

What is needed to establish remote monitoring of GlassWire?

You can use GlassWire to monitor remote servers or other computers that you control.

  • You must run GlassWire on your local monitoring PC and on every remote PC or server that you want to monitor.
  • A paid version (:heavy_dollar_sign:) of GlassWire is needed if you want to monitor more than one computer at a time. In the free edition (:free:), you can change the IP address you are monitoring as often as you like. See the topic How to decide which edition of GlassWire I need for more help

A Windows Administrator password

Remote monitoring is turned off by default and can only be turned on with your administrator password. Also, GlassWire alerts you if you receive a remote GlassWire connection.

Two computers with GlassWire installed

Remote monitoring of GlassWire requires at least two computers:

  • The monitored server also called the remote server: a computer running GlassWire that will provide the GlassWire data to the monitoring computer.
  • The monitoring client: a computer running GlassWire to display the GlassWire data from the remote server.

If GlassWire is not installed on either of the computers, see How to install GlassWire.

Both computers able to connect across the network

Both computers need to be able to connect to each other over the network. If you cannot see the other computer then you might have to make it visible by changing settings on your router.

GlassWire connects using two numbers:

  • The IP address of each computer.
    If you do not know the IP address of your computer then see How to find the IP address of your computer.

  • The port number that the connection will use.
    You only need to know this if you don’t use GlassWire’s default port. If it is changed then it is called a custom port.

Can you see the other computer on your network? See How to use the IP address to connect to a device.

If you cannot see the other computer then they may be on different subnets (sub-networks) and you will have to change the settings at the router.

Port forwarding to connect between different networks

If your computers are on different networks and you want to communicate across the Internet then the built in security at the routers should prevent this happening. You can enable communication using port forwarding which means you open a port so remote computers on other networks can access that port.

You will need to forward the traffic from the router’s public IP address to the computer’s IP address, where GlassWire is running. Refer to your router documentation for

  • How to configure port forwarding.
  • How to accept incoming connections on the router firewall.

If you have no router documentation then try a web search. Search for your router name or model and “port forward”. It is usually best to use the router maker’s website first.

Another option instead of port forwarding is to use a third-party service like Ngrok or Hamachi. Please note Ngrok or Hamachi may not be recommended for your type of secure network, so if you’re considering them in an business environment please discuss using those products with your local IT professional before trying them.

Setup remote monitoring

Setup the monitored computer, the remote server, to allow access

The server settings to allow a connection from a remote client are GlassWire Menu | Settings | Server | Remote Access

Glasswire calls this remoting in which is connecting to the current computer from another computer…

  1. Select “Unlock”
  • The Windows UAC dialog appears and asks you `Do you want to allow this app to make changed to your device?
  • Select Yes to make the changes or select No to abandon this process.
  • Check the Allow Remote Access by password checkbox because a password is required.
  • Select the Change Password... button so the Enter password dialog window appears.
  • Enter your chosen password into the Password text box.
  • Check that the password strength is strong or very strong. If not use a better password.
  • Enter your chosen password into the Retype Password text box.
  • Select the `OK button to save the password.

For extra security we recommend you only allow access from your IP address if it is a static IP address that doesn’t change often:

  1. Check the Allow Access only from IP checkbox
  • Type the IP address for the client computer into the textbox that says Type IP Address Here
  • Select the Add button to add the IP address.
  • Repeat the previous two steps to add more IP addresses.
  • Select the `OK button to save the IP address list.

You can check that Remote Access State is Allowed at GlassWire Menu | Settings | Server | General

Setup the monitoring computer, the client, to gain access by remoting out

The client settings to connect to a remote server are at GlassWire Menu | Settings | Client | Remote Server

GlassWire calls this remoting out which is connecting out of your current computer and into the remote computer.

  1. Select the Add New Server button
  • Enter a name to identify the remote server on this client in the `Name’ field.
  • Enter the servers IP address
  • Enter the server password that was input to GlassWire Menu | Settings | Server | Remote Access on the other computer.
  • Check the Enable connection checkbox
  • You can add more than one server if you are using a paid edition (:heavy_dollar_sign:)
  • Select OK to save the changes.

Once you are connected the remote server’s network activity will appear in a tab onn the left side of the GlassWire main window. Click on the tab to see the main tabs (Graph, Firewall, Usage, Network and Alerts) as if you were using GlassWire on the remote computer.

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