GoToMyPC is a remote control software service that enables the user to operate his or her computer from another computer, over the Internet. Citrix Online, a division of Citrix Systems, produces GoToMyPC.

Technology and business development

GoToMyPC was originally developed by Expertcity of Santa Barbara, CA, founded in 1997 to provide third-party tech-support services. It was modeled after competing software such as pcAnywhere from Symantec, allowing the desktop view of a host computer to be manipulated from a client computer that is connected through a TCP/IP network. GoToMyPC enlarged that software model by using the Internet for connectivity, protecting transmissions with high-security encryption and multiple passwords. By combining a Web-hosted subscription service with software installed on the host computer, transmissions could be passed through highly restrictive firewalls. In its product literature and press releases Expertcity spoke of patent protection for its proprietary technology.

In December 2003, Citrix Systems of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, acquired the GoToMyPC service and its developer, Expertcity, for $225 million, half cash and half stock. News reports from January 2006, indicated that Citrix had attained the leading market share for Web-hosted remote access. The following month, however, Citrix was faced with a lawsuit filed by 01 Communique Laboratory of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, claiming that GoToMyPC infringes a patent. Expertcity appears to have introduced key features of the GoToMyPC service during 2001, while the 01 Communique Laboratory patent was filed June 16, 2000. The 01 Communique Laboratory patent application was published November 21, 2002, before acquisition of Expertcity by Citrix. If patent coverage and validity are upheld, outcome of the lawsuit could depend on whether Citrix can establish that Expertcity had documented or was practicing the patented art before it was documented by 01 Communique Laboratory.

Editions and features

GoToMyPC has been sold in three editions -- Personal, Pro, and Corporate -- providing increasing service management capabilities. Version 6, released in 2007, maintains these editions and adds Remote Sound, Remote Printing and other new features. GoToMyPC allows remote access to a PC from an Internet-connected computer or wireless device running any of several operating systems. Software is installed and remote access is obtained by logging onto the GoToMyPC Web site. GoToMyPC features in all editions include:

• Encryption and authentication security provided by a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Web site with end-to-end 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption and the Secure remote password protocol.
• Data compression to decrease lag time between client and host PC
• 24-bit color when accessing a host PC supporting this display mode
• Drag-and-drop file transfer for moving files between computers
• Remote Printing, supporting any printer configured on a host computer
• Remote Sound for listening to sound on host computer
• Performance tuning, allowing users to adjust speed and screen appearance
• Multi- monitor support for a client PC
• PocketView wireless access to host PCs from a Windows Mobile, Pocket PC or Windows CE device
• Guest Invite, allowing a user to invite a second person to view or share control of a PC