Definition: VNC

(Virtual Network Computing) Open source remote control software that lets a person take control of another user's computer in a distant location. Running under popular operating systems as well as Java, there are numerous VNC applications, both free and commercial, including UltraVNC, TeamViewer, ShowMyPC and RealVNC, the latter maintained by some of the original developers of the software.

Developed at Olivetti & Oracle Research Labs in the U.K. in the late 1990s, the Labs were acquired by AT&T in 1999. See remote control software.

VNC Remote Control

A VNC server is the host being accessed, while the VNC client is the controlling and viewing computer.