Question : Problem: Setting up a secure remote terminal service with Windows XP Home

I am trying to setup windows xp home as a server for use via remote terminal services.
My setup also includes a wireless router, and zonealarm as firewall.

I currently use realvnc, but am unsure whether the connection is setup correctly and whether it is getting through the firewall.

I would also like to use ssh to make the connection secure; is this possible?

Further, is there an ssh client that would be usable directly from a device such as a usb stick?

How can I set up all of this, and test it easily?

Answer : Problem: Setting up a secure remote terminal service with Windows XP Home

VPN's are probably the most secure option, with a hardware VPN (VPN router) being more so than the above Windows VPN. Instructions for other Windows VPN clients and servers can be found:
http://www.onecomputerguy.com/networking.htm

I am not familiar with an SSH option for VNC, though it might exist.
You might also want to look at a free utility called Hamachi. It creates a secure VPN tunnel between 2 PC's without having to open any ports. It does so using a third party server to set up the initial connection, do a little "hand shaking" and then steps back and allows the connection to continue without intervention. It is gaining a lot of support recently:
http://www.hamachi.cc