Teamviewer - what is this?

xxdeebeexx

I have just been contacted by my internet provider telling me that my internet is underperforming and that it needs 'tweaking'.

The man on the phone asked me to go onto goo.gl/o4zeA so that it can be improved.

I messed about, while he was on the phone, trying to find out what this website was using goggle search but I couldn't find a satisfactory reference.....

After a while he gave me another website (since I was 'having trouble' with the first) www.teamviewer. com

I know this is a scam, but what was he trying to do?


dx

forgotmyname

Take over your computer. If you download and install teamviewer you could have given him full access to your computer as if they were sitting in front of it.

Everything you can do they can do.

Access and delete files, Read stored passwords etc. Even setup a backdoor for future access.

scheming_gypsy

Teamviewer is a remote control tool that allows people to remote onto your computer.
We use similar software at work so we can fix issues without having to go to the persons desk.

Lokolo

Teamviewer allows you to remote control your PC. So if I want to control my PC at home from work I install Team Viewer on both PCs and I can then log into my PC at home from work

xxdeebeexx

forgotmyname wrote: »

Take over your computer. If you download and install teamviewer you could have given him full access to your computer as if they were sitting in front of it.

Everything you can do they can do.

Access and delete files, Read stored passwords etc. Even setup a backdoor for future access.

Teamviewer is a remote control tool that allows people to remote onto your
computer.
We use similar software at work so we can fix issues without
having to go to the persons desk.

Mmm, thanks

I'm pretty sure that he wasn't planning on 'fixing' any issues.

thanks

dx

scheming_gypsy

They usually pretend to
It's a bit of a scam where they tell you it's throwing up issues. You let them remote on and the go to event viewer, show you all the errors and warnings that have occurred.... and then tell you that it's the reason it's running slow. Once you pay them they just clear the logs.

GunJack

nowt wrong with teamviewer, cracking bit of software.

HOWEVER, being contacted by "your ISP" was the dodgy bit

Knarf44

I think it's important to clarify that the Teamviewer program is a genuinely useful tool for professional or "family" techies to remotely connect to customer's, family or friends computers in order to solve issues. Obviously, it needs to be done honestly and with respect for privacy issues. The person being connected to can watch every action being undertaken and if appropriate close the connection easily from their end. The important thing is to know and trust the person you are allowing access to.

The scammers who contacted the OP prey on people's ignorance and fear of losing their data and it should go without saying that you never allow random cold callers to connect to your system no matter how much they try to scare you with tales of critical data loss etc.

DCFC79

OP did you confirm he was from your ISP ?

Teamviewer is legit, not used it myself but have used logmein for a few years which is similar.

xxdeebeexx

DCFC79 wrote: »

OP did you confirm he was from your ISP ?

Teamviewer is legit, not used it myself but have used logmein for a few years which is similar.

I asked him if he was calling on behalf of BT and he replied 'Yes, BT' - I'm not with BT - so figured it wasn't genuine.

dx

Mr_Toad

xxdeebeexx wrote: »

I asked him if he was calling on behalf of BT and he replied 'Yes, BT' - I'm not with BT - so figured it wasn't genuine.

dx

BT, and many other providers do use this or something similar when they need to sort PC problems out remotely, BT use GotoAssist by Citrix

http://www.citrix.com/products/gotoassist/overview.html

BT only ever use it when you call them. If someone calls you get rid of them. I'd say the same for other ISPs too.