How to Set Up Remote Access with Cinnamon Desktop on Linux Mint

Remote access is an essential feature for those who need to control their Linux Mint computer from another device. Whether you need to access files, run programs, or provide remote support, setting up remote access allows you to do so conveniently. In this guide, we’ll explore step-by-step how to enable and configure remote access for Linux Mint running the Cinnamon desktop environment.

Why Set Up Remote Access?

Remote access to your Linux Mint system can be useful for:

• Working remotely: Access your Linux Mint system from anywhere.
• File sharing: Transfer important documents without needing a USB drive.
• System administration: Manage updates, troubleshoot issues, and configure settings remotely.
• Providing technical support: Help friends or colleagues by accessing their system remotely.

Methods for Remote Access in Linux Mint (Cinnamon Desktop)

There are multiple ways to set up remote access in Linux Mint with Cinnamon. Some popular methods include:

1. Using VNC (Virtual Network Computing) – Allows graphical desktop access.
2. Using SSH (Secure Shell) with X11 Forwarding – Allows secure command-line access and GUI app forwarding.
3. Using RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) – Used for Windows-based remote desktop connections.
4. Using third-party tools – Such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or Chrome Remote Desktop.

Each method has its use case, security considerations, and setup steps. Let’s explore them in detail.

Method 1: Setting Up VNC for Remote Desktop Access

VNC (Virtual Network Computing) allows you to connect to your Linux Mint desktop environment remotely, providing full GUI access.

Step 1: Install a VNC Server

First, install a VNC server on your Linux Mint system. TigerVNC and x11vnc are two common choices. Here, we will use x11vnc.

Open a terminal and run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install x11vnc -y

Step 2: Set a Password for Security

To prevent unauthorized access, set a VNC password:

x11vnc -storepasswd

Enter and confirm your password when prompted.

Step 3: Start the VNC Server

Run the following command to start x11vnc:

x11vnc -usepw -forever -display :0

• -usepw: Uses the stored password for authentication.
• -forever: Keeps the VNC server running even after a client disconnects.
• -display :0: Uses the main desktop display.

Step 4: Enable VNC to Start Automatically

To make x11vnc start on boot, create a systemd service:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/x11vnc.service

Add the following content:

[Unit]
Description=Start x11vnc at boot
After=multi-user.target

[Service]
ExecStart=/usr/bin/x11vnc -usepw -forever -display :0
Restart=always
User=your_username

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Save and exit (Ctrl + X, then Y, then Enter).

Enable the service:

sudo systemctl enable x11vnc.service
sudo systemctl start x11vnc.service

Step 5: Connect from Another Device

Install a VNC client such as RealVNC Viewer or TigerVNC Viewer on your remote device.

Enter the IP address of your Linux Mint machine followed by :5900 (default VNC port). Example:

192.168.1.100:5900

Enter your VNC password when prompted and connect.

Method 2: Remote Access via SSH with X11 Forwarding

For secure remote access with command-line capabilities and graphical application forwarding, use SSH with X11 forwarding.

Step 1: Install and Enable SSH Server

On your Linux Mint machine, install and enable OpenSSH:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install openssh-server -y
sudo systemctl enable ssh
sudo systemctl start ssh

Step 2: Connect via SSH

From another Linux or macOS device, open a terminal and run:

ssh -X username@your_linux_mint_ip

Replace username with your actual Linux Mint username and your_linux_mint_ip with your system’s IP address.

Step 3: Run GUI Applications Remotely

Once logged in, run graphical applications like:

firefox

This will open Firefox on your remote machine while displaying it on your local machine.

Method 3: Using RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol)

If you prefer using Windows Remote Desktop Connection, you can use xrdp to set up RDP on Linux Mint.

Step 1: Install xrdp

Run the following command:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install xrdp -y

Step 2: Start and Enable the xRDP Service

Enable the xrdp service to start on boot:

sudo systemctl enable xrdp
sudo systemctl start xrdp

Step 3: Connect via Windows Remote Desktop

1. Open Remote Desktop Connection on Windows.
2. Enter the IP address of your Linux Mint machine.
3. Login with your Linux Mint username and password.

Method 4: Using Third-Party Remote Access Tools

If you prefer simpler remote access solutions, consider TeamViewer, AnyDesk, or Chrome Remote Desktop.

1. TeamViewer

Install TeamViewer by downloading it from the official site:

wget https://download.teamviewer.com/download/linux/teamviewer_amd64.deb
sudo apt install ./teamviewer_amd64.deb -y

Launch TeamViewer, get the remote ID and password, and use it to connect from another device.

2. AnyDesk

Download and install AnyDesk:

wget https://download.anydesk.com/linux/anydesk_6.2.0-1_amd64.deb
sudo apt install ./anydesk_6.2.0-1_amd64.deb -y

Run AnyDesk and use the provided address to connect.

3. Chrome Remote Desktop

1. Install Google Chrome and sign in.
2. Install the Chrome Remote Desktop extension from the Chrome Web Store.
3. Set up remote access and connect via your Google account.

Security Considerations for Remote Access

• Use strong passwords for VNC, SSH, or RDP.
• Enable a firewall to restrict unauthorized access:

sudo ufw allow 5900/tcp  # VNC
sudo ufw allow 3389/tcp  # RDP
sudo ufw allow 22/tcp    # SSH
sudo ufw enable

• Use SSH keys instead of passwords for better security:

ssh-keygen -t rsa
ssh-copy-id username@your_linux_mint_ip

• Restrict remote access to trusted IP addresses using firewall rules.

Conclusion

Setting up remote access on Linux Mint with Cinnamon Desktop is straightforward and can be accomplished using multiple methods, including VNC, SSH, RDP, and third-party tools. Each approach has its advantages, so choose the one that best suits your needs. Always ensure that security measures, such as strong authentication and firewall settings, are in place to protect your system.

Would you like assistance with troubleshooting any specific issue during setup? Let me know! 🚀