How to protect yourself while using TeamViewer

TeamViewer is one of the many platforms that are making remote working and control a reality. It falls under the video telephony services category together with the likes of Zoom.

Anything that uses connectivity is susceptible to being breached. This article will guide you on how to protect yourself while using TeamViewer.

See also: How to host or join a meeting in TeamViewer

TeamViewer’s capabilities and vulnerabilities

On TeamViewer, you can do the following:

  1. Remote Control and Management– this feature enables you to control your desktop or laptop from a remote location. You can link your mobile phone with your PC and control it from there (mobile phone).
  2. Meeting – on the platform, you can set presentation meetings, video conferences, or audio calls.
  3. File transfer – TeamViewer allows its users to share files.

With all these capabilities and their dependence on Internet connectivity, your device is likely to be compromised by malicious people.

If you are unprotected while you use TeamViewer, the following could happen:

  1. Someone could gain access to your PC which you are remotely controlling. This hacking could open them up to your passwords and credit/debit card information.
  2. Without authority, someone may join your meeting (presentation, video or conference call) and pick out information that is not intended for them. This is made able by the file transferring capabilities that TeamViewer accords its users.

Self-protection on TeamViewer

Here are some ways to protect yourself:

  1. Working with some TeamViewer basic and advanced options
  2. Checking the security of your connection
  3. Timely exiting from TeamViewer

Working with some TeamViewer basic and advanced options

Before you explore the security measures in this section, you should sign up for TeamViewer and get a free account. Once that is done, sign in to it.

  1. From your PC, launch TeamViewer.
  2. On its ‘home’ screen, click on the ‘Extras’ tab. On the menu that opens, click on ‘Options’. The box that shows will now be the base of your security operations. Security moves you can make are like:
    1. Changing your password – click on the ‘Settings’ button on the left side. On the right, you will see input boxes to enter and repeat new password. This is for unattended access.
    2. Controlling in-meeting file transfer – click on the ‘Meeting’ button and under ‘Participant interaction’, choose ‘Custom settings’ then ‘Configure’. On the box that appears, set the ‘Allow file transfer’ option from ‘Allow’ to ‘Allow manually’. This will help you to authorize any file transfer before it is made.
    3. Managing two-factor authentication – Before you activate this, you need to make sure that you have downloaded an authenticator app such as Authy and Duo Mobile on your Android or iOS device. Then, click the ‘Computer and Contacts’ button. On the right side, you will see a blue hyperlink labeled ‘Manage two-factor authentication’. You will be redirected to a web page on your browser. When it opens, click ‘Activate’ and follow through.

For more security options, click the ‘Advanced’ tab and explore ways you can protect yourself.

Checking the security of your connection

If you’re connected to a public network such as a park’s Wi-Fi then this becomes unsafe for you. On a public network, your TeamViewer information can be picked such as your remote control ID and password. This can lead to a major invasion of your privacy.

Timely exiting from TeamViewer

It is safe that you run TeamViewer only when you are using it. If not, exit the application and make it harder for hackers to gain authorized access. They always wait for you to make that mistake.

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