Hi
Apple Remote Desktop is part of the operating system and has been since at least 10.2 (Jaguar). It provides VNC access to your computer if you think it's something you might need? It is not on by default and it's your choice whether you turn it on or off.
This forum is for the administration version of Apple Remote Desktop which is a separate app that allows network or system administrators in larger networks to support a number of macs remotely.
It's not harmful, it's not malware or an exploit and neither is it a virus.
Find out more here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_Network_Computing
http://www.apple.com/remotedesktop/
Tony