new to VNC - can I setup between linux and windowsXP across WWW

I want to collaborate with a remote engineer on a software development
project and see VNC as most useful option - however I have only ever
used VNC in subnet where both systems existed within same internal LAN

Now I need to connect to a system outside work across the WWW and
wonder if same setup can apply - I know security will be an issue but
I want to know if the basic non-secure setup of VNC will actually
work across the web between a linux and windows box ??
.