Using TeamViewer for Remote Support!

TeamViewer – first impressions

I recently tried out TeamViewer for the first time after it was recommended to me by another tech. Most of the support calls I get have to do with virus removal, and internet access is usually compromised, or at least degraded, so remote support isn’t an option. But this call was for printer support, so I thought I’d give it a try. Here are my first impressions…

The website

I was impressed with their website, easy to navigate and everything was explained in plain language making a great first impression.

Here’s a blurb from the TeamViewer.com website…

With TeamViewer you can remotely control any computer as if you were sitting right in front of it – even through firewalls. All your partner has to do is start a small application, which does not even require installation or administrative rights.

The install

There’s basically two parts to using TeamViewer, the person who is going to have remote control needs to download and install the Full version and the host only needs to download and run the TeamViewer QuickSupport version. I was able to walk the person through the TeamViewer website over the phone to download and run the QuickSupport app. Easy peasy.

When you launch TeamViewer QuickSupport you get assigned an ID and a Password. Give that information to the person who is going to remote control your computer and they’ll enter it into the full version remote connection tab. Abracadabra, hocus pocus, like magic the connection is made.

Remote control

For the printer I was troubleshooting I was able to quickly browse around the computer and check the usual suspects: event viewer, device manager, print drivers, IP address, etc. Because I was remotely connected it was like I was sitting in front of the computer and I was able to poke and prod and gather tons of information on the problem that would have taken me much longer to walk someone through over the phone. The speed and display were good so I was instantly a fan.

TeamViewer also provides the ability to transfer files, simply by “drag-n-drop” from your local machine to the remote computer. Since I already had the latest print drivers on my computer that saved me from having to go out to the web on the remote host, searching the manufacturer site for the drivers, filling out the contact form, and downloading them again. It was simply… drag, drop, done. I can see this being helpful for virus support too, since many viruses block access to downloading anti-malware tools and updates.

The downside

The troubleshooting eventually led me to having to restart the physical printer while holding down a reset button on the network adapter in order to have it get a new IP address via DHCP. So an on-site visit was needed to complete the job. So while TeamViewer allowed me to quickly provide a remote diagnosis, nothing beats physical access to the device you’re trying to fix. Especially when you need to press buttons and unplug cables and such.

The result

Ultimately I had a great first impression of TeamViewer. If I can find a way to integrate it into my work flow I’ll get a site license and become an evangelist, but for now I’m providing a link to the TeamViewer.com site here in hopes that you might find it useful. It’s free for personal use, and is simple to setup and get connected. Give it a try and let me know your results.

Hope this helps,
Erik

Hey, it’s me again, happy holidays! Last time I posted a few recommendations for security software. The feedback I received was great, I am glad you found the blog post useful. My goal is to keep providing helpful information for you.

Now is the time of year the virus writers are taking full advantage of all the holiday e-cards being sent. So please use caution when clicking links in email. Take the time to verify that you know and trust the sender, and be sure that the link you are about to click is from a reputable site.

For example, a recent spam email I got was from Halmark-Greeting, notice there was only one “l” in Hallmark. Some junk mail is easy to spot due to typos, either intentional or not, but others are more difficult to spot.

Here’s a tool I use and recommend to help check out web links:
McAfee Site Advisor –

“SiteAdvisor software adds safety ratings to your browser and search engine results.”

So, first you need to download and install the Site Advisor tool from McAfee. Then, anytime you search, (using google, yahoo, bing, etc.), the results will have a Site Advisor icon to indicate whether the link is good, bad, or unknown. It’s really that simple. So instead of clicking a link in an email… just copy/paste it into your favorite search engine and let Site Advisor… um, advise you. 🙂

If you have any questions or comments, please let me know. I’m here to help.
-Erik

Here’s a simple checklist for you:

• Practice safe computing procedures
• Keep all your software updated
• Install anti-virus software on every computer
• Install anti-malware software on every computer
• Install a personal firewall on every computer
• Backup often
• Have a recovery plan in place

Safe Computing Practices

This basically means that you need to be careful, and use common sense. Don’t open unknown attachments, install unknown programs, use P2P file sharing, and things like that. It only takes a few seconds to click on something… and hours and perhaps days to recover from the damage.

Software Updates

In a previous blog I mentioned Secunia as one of the good guys out there helping to keep your software updated. It’s important to update all your software on a regular basis. That includes Windows, Office, Adobe, Java, Anti-virus, Anti-spyware, and anything else you can think of. Malware programmers are always looking for holes into your computer and unpatched software is a prime target. Out of date protection is worse than no protection because it lulls you into a false sense of security.

Anti-virus

There are lots of good anti-virus programs, so choose one that you like and stick with that. Here are a couple links to some free anti-virus programs that I’ve used and recommended. Just remember to only install one anti-virus. Having multiples can cause conflicts and render both useless leaving you exposed.

Avira Antivir Personal

MS Security Essentials

Anti-Malware

This one is easy for me to recommend. I’ve used it and it’s tried and tested to be one of the best.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

Firewall

At a minimum you should be running the built in Windows Firewall. But it’s recommended that you install a personal firewall as well. The Windows firewall blocks incoming ports preventing the bad guys from getting into your computer. A personal firewall also blocks outgoing ports which helps to prevent malware from “phoning home” and downloading more malware onto your computer. Here are a couple links for personal firewalls.

Online Armor

Outpost Firewall

Backup

There are many different backup solutions available today: from manually burning CDs/DVDs of your photos, to using software to copy important files to external USB storage, and even using scheduled backups to online storage. The important thing is to backup early and backup often. You never know when disaster may strike so always keep a copy of your important files.

Recovery

Recovery is as simple as reversing your backup plan, or at least it should be. Again, you can only recover what you’ve already backed up. If you’ve used backup software to save your files to external media, CDs/DVDs/USB storage, etc, then make sure to store a copy of that software along with your media.

I hope that this checklist helps to outline the steps to staying protected on the internet. The only truly safe and secure computer is one that is not connected to the internet and unplugged from the wall. Of course it may be safe but it’s not very useful. 🙂

As always, if you have any questions or comments feel free to contact me.
Be safe out there,
Erik

Gibson Research Corporation – GRC.com

Have you tested your shields lately?

The folks at GRC have created a web-based scanner that will tell you exactly how secure (or insecure) your connection to the internet is (or isn’t). Click on over and you’ll find ShieldsUP listed under Services at GRC.com

Here’s what they have to say about their scan…

This Internet Common Ports Probe attempts to establish standard TCP Internet connections with a collection of standard, well-known, and often vulnerable or troublesome Internet ports on YOUR computer. Since this is being done from our server, successful connections demonstrate which of your ports are “open” or visible and soliciting connections from passing Internet port scanners.

via GRC | ShieldsUP! — Common Ports Probe .

The ShieldsUP scan is one of the tools I use and recommend, (along with lots of other offerings from GRC.com more on those later). It takes a minute or so to run the port probe, but the satisfaction that your internet connection is secure is well worth the wait. And if your connection is insecure you will get detailed information on the open ports, what the risks are, and what you can do about it.

Head on over and run the scan. If you don’t get a “True Stealth” rating let me know and I’ll see if I can help. Here’s the results of my most recent scan…

Your system has achieved a perfect “TruStealth” rating. Not a single packet — solicited or otherwise — was received from your system as a result of our security probing tests. Your system ignored and refused to reply to repeated Pings (ICMP Echo Requests). From the standpoint of the passing probes of any hacker, this machine does not exist on the Internet. Some questionable personal security systems expose their users by attempting to “counter-probe the prober”, thus revealing themselves. But your system wisely remained silent in every way. Very nice.

As you can see, the results are written in a clear and friendly style. Gibson Research Corporation is another one of the good guys out there helping to tame the wild and woolly internet for folks like you and me. Now go check your shields.

Tech Tip – Vulnerability Scanning – Secunia.com

Most Windows users know about Windows Update and probably have it set to check automatically for critical updates to Windows. But what about the rest of your software?

That’s where Secunia comes in to play. I first learned about Secunia from one of the network security conferences I regularly attend and found them to be one of the good guys.

Here’s what they have to say about their software inspectors…

Scan, detect, and update vulnerable programs. The Secunia Software Inspectors are the first internal vulnerability scanners that focus solely on detection and assessment of missing security patches and end-of-life programs – the result is an unprecedented level of scan accuracy. Scanning for missing security patches and vulnerabilities have never been easier or more precise.The Software Inspectors are perfect supplements to Windows Update as they inform about missing patches for thousands of third party programs. Secunia offers three Software Inspectors, each with a specific user focus.

I personally use the free PSI (personal desktop) product on my home computers and run the online scanner as part of my diagnostics when servicing clients. Give it a try and see what you think.

http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/