How Secure is Remote Access Software?

Remote access software can make work outside of the conventional office space a breeze. From collaboration to IT maintenance, remote access is the answer. But just like everything else connected to the internet, how safe is it? Well, let’s unpack this beast and explore digital security and remote access software. 

Whether it’s a remote server, digital kiosk, agricultural or manufacturing equipment, computer, mobile phone, or IoT device, managing and maintaining everything in person isn’t always the most feasible or cost-efficient approach. Remote access software allows users to be at multiple places at once. 

As great as that seems, one can’t help but ask, how secure is remote access software and is it worth looking into? It’d be simple to just answer, “yes, it’s safe,” and, “yes, you should use this technology”. But that wouldn’t be too convincing, now would it? Instead, let’s run you through the gauntlet of WHY you should trust remote access software, and WHY you should take full advantage of it. 

Covered In This Article:

What Is Remote Access Software?
How Do I Use Remote Access Software?
Is Remote Access Software Safe?
Introducing TeamViewer Tensor

What Is Remote Access Software?

Remote computer access is the ability to access another computer or network that isn’t in your physical presence. Remote computer access allows an employee to access a computer desktop and its files from a remote location. This helps enable an employee who is working from home, for instance, to work effectively.

With the 2020 outbreak of the novel Coronavirus, remote computer access has taken on increased importance. Remote computer access can allow employees to continue doing their jobs away from their physical workplace, which can help keep businesses running.

Remote access to computers isn’t new. It can have advantages for people at work and in their private lives. Here are two examples.

Remote access software is helpful when you’re in a meeting at another office with your laptop – or telecommuting – and need an important file that’s on your office computer.

Remote computer access can help you assist someone in your personal life who might be far away. You might want to help elderly parents finish their tax returns, for instance. You’ll be able to access their computer and their financial documents if you have remote access set up on your respective computers.

It can be helpful to learn how remote computer access works, what are the possible security risks, and how you can access other computers and networks remotely and safely. Here’s what you need to know.

Many people take their laptops with them to do things like finish a business presentation while waiting for a flight at the airport. But a lot of those laptops may not have bigger, important files on them. You might leave those files at work or at home on your desktop computer.

What if you need access to those files? What if you need access to your network? If so, remote computer access can help.

Remote computer access software lets you access networks and computers remotely. It can enable file sharing. It’s like having a remote control for a computer or system that isn’t near you. You’ll be able to remotely download files and applications from your desktop or another person’s computer onto your laptop or your cell phone. Remote access also gives you control over that remote device

Remote access offers several benefits, including:

• The ability to troubleshoot quickly.
• Easy monitoring and control of devices connected to the same network.
• Efficient file-sharing.
• The ability of your device to mirror the original device, including files and applications.

How Do I Use Remote Access Software? 

Like everything else in this connected world we live in, remote computer access requires a reliable internet connection. You’ll need to activate or install software on the device you want to access, as well as on the device – or devices – you want to use to get that access.

Remote access solutions fall under two categories: one, those provided by the same company as your operating system; and, two, third-party solutions. There are a variety of third-party options on the market for remote access software. 

The program that’s right for you may depend on your platform. For instance, there are Windows-only and Mac-only programs if your computers and devices all use the same operating system… and then there is one solution that can do it all, while keeping everything safe, secure and in the cloud.

Is Remote Access Software Safe?

You might be concerned about the security of remote access. The big question? Does remote access also make it easier for cyber-criminals to access your computer and personal data?

It could. Remote access solutions could leave you vulnerable. If you don’t have proper security solutions in place, remote connections could act as a gateway for cyber-criminals to access your devices and data.

Hackers could use remote desktop protocol (RDP) to remotely access Windows computers in particular. Remote desktop servers connect directly to the Internet when you forward ports on your router. Hackers and malware may be able to attack a weakness in those routers.

Taking a look at TeamViewer for instance – the market leader when it comes to remote access software –  all versions use full encryption. Encryption is based on 4096bit RSA private/public key exchange and 256 Bit AES session encoding. This uses the same security level as HTTPS/SSL and is considered completely safe by today's standards.

TeamViewer is used by more than 45 million users at a time, on any given day. These users provide spontaneous support over the internet, accessing unattended computers (e.g. providing remote support for servers) and host online meetings. Depending on the configuration, TeamViewer can be used to remotely control the mouse and keyboard of another computer in real time, as though you were accessing it in person.

If a Windows, Mac, or Linux administrator logs in to a remote computer, that person will be granted administrator rights to that computer as well. Clearly, using this powerful functionality over the internet must be protected with stringent security protocols. As such, we put security at the center of everything we do by engineering our software by security by design.

Our goal is to ensure access to computers is safe. Your security is our highest priority: users only trust secure solutions and we’re fully committed to providing secure solutions to sustain long-term business success.

TeamViewer software has been awarded a five-star quality seal, the maximum rating given by the Federal Association of IT Experts and Reviewers (Bundesverband der IT-Sachverständigen und Gutachter e.V., BISG e.V.). The independent reviewers of the BISG e.V. inspect products of qualified producers for their quality, security, and service characteristics.

Introducing TeamViewer Tensor

TeamViewer Tensor™ is an enterprise remote connectivity cloud platform, enabling organizations to deploy a large-scale IT management framework to access, support, and control any device or machine quickly and easily from anywhere, anytime. Powered by the world’s largest remote connectivity infrastructure – spanning 200 countries and connecting more than 2.5 billion devices – TeamViewer Tensor scales linearly to meet enterprise requirements, providing fast, reliable connectivity and real-time support tools in a secure, instantly deployable SaaS environment.

TeamViewer Tensor offers users the ability to:

• Work remotely, 
• Remote IT support, 
• IoT Connectivity,
• AR Workflows,
• AR Remote Support,
• And Remote Management

TeamViewer Tensor secure remote connectivity powers employee IT support and customer support for organizations across all industries around the world, enabling support technicians to instantly connect to, manage, remotely control and support any computer, mobile device, Human-Machine Interface (HMI), and industrial asset – from anywhere, anytime, across platforms and devices.

Whether you’re running customer support, employee IT support, technical operations, supply chain management, or operational technology, your customer and employee experience depend on having fast, flexible, easy-to-use remote support technology that helps you solve technical problems as quickly and smoothly as possible – without compromising data security.

• Deliver a next-gen customer and employee support experience for faster issue resolution, higher customer and employee satisfaction, and stronger brand loyalty and retention
• Provide end-to-end encrypted remote support for any device or machine, whether manned or unmanned to reduce downtime and on-site repair costs
• Enhance your customer service with secure next-gen support for mobile apps or web browsers, without accessing the entire device, ensuring customer privacy and GDPR-compliant support

Mobile Device Support

Resolve mobile device issues quickly and conveniently from your computer, tablet, or smartphone to keep your customers and employees productive on-the-go.

Mobile App Customer Support

Optimise your mobile app support services by integrating TeamViewer remote access and remote control functionalities seamlessly into your mobile apps. Secure and GDPR compliant, mobile app customer support enables support agents to access and see information in the app only, not the entire mobile device.

Co-Browsing Online Customer Support

Support your website users with secure screen sharing co-browsing technology. Optimised for web and mobile devices, co-browsing enables your support agents to see customer screens in real-time and chat with them to resolve issues or answer questions, without exposing sensitive or private data.