What is MobaXterm

MobaXterm is an application that provides X-Server capability for the Microsoft Windows operating system. This allows applications running in the Unix/Linux environment to display graphical user interfaces on the Microsoft Windows desktop. This is needed to run Unix or Linux web browsers or xterminal commands, and to run certain applications like MatLab.

To begin, you should understand the basics of the X-Windows system and security. If you do not know what xhost and xauth are, you should start by reading aboutHow X-Windows Access Control Works. You may also be interested in knowing what could happen if I fail to secure my X-Windows server.

For the impatient, you may jump to the next section

Access Control in MobaXterm

In MobaXterm the access control system is configured through Settings.

The default behavior of MobaXTerm’s X11 server is to allow X11 remote access “on-demand“, which means that the software will prompt you anytime someone tries to connect to your computer.

The more secure, and preferred, configuration is to set X11 remote access to “disabled”.