TeamViewer is a free (for personal, non-profit use) program to access/connect to a remote computer via the internet.

From their site:

TeamViewer is our solution for easy and friendly desktop sharing. You can remote control a partners desktop to give online assistance, or you can show your screen to a customer - all without worrying about firewalls, IP addresses and NAT.

The main features are:

• Remote support / computer access.  This opens a windows on your computer which displays the other computer’s screen.  You can then control that computer.  If there is a person at the receiving end of the connection, he can chat and end the session.
• Present your screen.  Do you want to show someone how to do something?  TeamViewer includes a presentation feature.
• File transfer.  Transfer files from your computer to your partner’s computer.  The partner can see what files are being transferred and where they are put, and can stop the connection.
• VPN (Virtual Private Network).  The manual (PDF)’s explanation:
  “With the VPN option you can establish a virtual private network between you and your partner. Two computers that are connected with VPN are in a common network. You can access the network resources of the other computer and accordingly your partner also can access the resources of your own local machine.” 
  Although I haven’t used this feature, I think it means that it simulates a home network connection.
  “
  You can print documents on the shared printer of the remote computer
  You can use an application locally on your machine which accesses a remote database by having a VPN connection to the remote database server.
  Make peripheral devices (e.g. printer) and files in your local network accessible for external partners.
  In the support case access remote databases from your local frontend (e.g. SQL-Server Management Studio).” 

It is really simple to use.  There is a full version for the main user/supporter.  This has options to install TeamViewer, or run it without installation.

Then the “QuickSupport” version is for the “instant customer”.  “To support a spontaneous customer just tell him/her to run this module. Just enter the partner ID and off you go.” 

TeamViewer is secure.  The user ID doesn’t change, but the password will change whenever you open TeamViewer.

“By default TeamViewer creates a new session password whenever you start it (you can configure a fixed password in the security settings). Your computer is only reachable for persons you have given the password. Since the password changes with each start, a person that has connected to your PC before is not able to connect again until you give them your new password. So nobody can get permanent control over your PC.” 

Resources:

• Main TeamViewer Website
• Downloads
• Detailed Help-File/Manual
• YouTube Video (Note: This was not produced by TeamViewer or myself.)

~Jeremy

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