[aftbit]

While I'm here, does anyone know of a good trustworthy RAT for Windows machines that I can control from my Linux box? I have some relatives for whom I provide technical support. I'd love to just put an EXE on their desktop that would launch a VNC session and connect back to me (since they have the typical NAT + firewall of home users), but I don't want to install a virus on their machines.

[ngneer]

Not sure what your decision procedure is for "a virus" versus "trustworthy RAT", but there are plenty of open source options out there, in case that helps, https://medevel.com/18-os-rat-list/

[gerdesj]

OpenVPN, IPSEC, Wireguard can all be used to tether them to you. If you don't have a static IP then a dynamic DNS service can fix that. Once you have a VPN then use whatever you fancy - RDP for example.

You could use Teamviewer or the like.

Self host a MeshCentral or RustDesk (MC for me!)

[olivierduval]

AFAIK, solutions like TeamViewer or AnyDesk may be securely connected from the outside and manage the NAT+firewall of home user... no need to have a RAT (in the "virus/backdoor" meaning)

[avidiax]

Put Tailscale on their machines and use a normal remote desktop application (probably the built-in RDP). Or put a RaspberryPi with Tailscale on their network.

Just make sure you set the key for those clients to not expire.

[popcalc]

Anydesk?

[genpfault]

Tor + ssh onion service?