[AccessD] Remote Access to Access

My background is in the IBM Mainframe database realm but I am trying to get up to speed in the world of Microsoft.

I work part time for a small firm that has a very limited IT budget.  We have several applications that have been built with Access 2007.

I would like to occasionally monitor and control these Access applications from an offsite location (like a beach in Florida).

I have limited knowledge of networking (enough to be dangerous).

I am curious how others access their applications from a remote location.

Here is what I have picked up so far.

Remote desktop is fast, but requires a static IP address and it may open up the PC to “evil doers” who may try to get at it.

There are several “remote control” products such as LogMeIn and RealVNC which would enable remote access, but are not nearly as fast as Remote Desktop.

As you can see, my knowledge of this realm is very limited.

I know that AccessD is primarily a forum about Microsoft Access but it seems as if there are a lot of knowledgeable people who participate in this forum on “peripheral” topics.    

Thanks,
Brad