Hamachi

Hamachi is a wonderful tool that allows you to have a zero-configuration VPN LAN. It is secured by 256-bit AES encryption (the kind that the US government uses), so you can rest assured that traffic on this "virtual network" is secure and clean.

This is a great choice for advanced users who would like to set up a personal or group network for a variety of uses. For example, I have all of my home computers in one virtual network via Hamachi. Wherever I take my laptop, I will always have secure access to my desktop's files and printer. It's as if I'm in the same room as my other computers.

It is also really handy to be able to play games over a virtual network, or remote desktop, or even hosting your own intranet! One of the other things I have done is used a program called CCProxy in order to bounce my Internet connection to gain access to youtube.com while I'm on campus (don't ask me why my college blocks youtube).

LogMeIn

If you want to access your home computer from literally any other computer with a browser, then LogMeIn is the way to go. It's free and really easy to set up. All you need to do is log in to the account from any browser and select which computer to connect to. It is all stored in browser, so there is no software to install on the remote computer, just on the hosting computer.

Team Viewer

Last but not least is a cross-platform screen sharing program called Team Viewer. This program is great for all those times your less technically inclined friends call up for help and support. You simply have an ID and a password, and then you can share the same desktop space and walk them through how to fix that Blue Screen of Death.