In a remote control method and remote control system, a virtual private network (55) is established between a home control network key (42b, 41c) and a home control network device (61). In order to create the virtual private network both the home control network key and the home control network device determine their network paths to the Internet (2) from the data transfer network (3, 5) to which they are connected. The determined network paths are stored in a home control network server (21) on the Internet (2). When it is desired to form a virtual private network, the home control network server (21) supplies the stored network paths to the home control network key (42b, 41c) and the home control network device (61).