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Post by bracknellboy on Feb 3, 2019 9:47:31 GMT
I'm familiar with the concept of remote desktop control for business IT support (where the recipient has to accept incoming request).
Does anyone know of low cost/free similar software which is suitable for personal use ? In this case to try to help elderly parents.
Is there too much risk involved that it might be hijacked by another party ?
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k6
Posts: 160 
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Post by k6 on Feb 3, 2019 10:08:12 GMT
TeamViewer
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registerme
Member of DD Central
Posts: 6,179
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Post by registerme on Feb 3, 2019 10:22:00 GMT
Time a thousand. Everybody I know in the IT support space uses this for their "support friends and family remotely" and other remote desktop needs. I think there's even a phone client.
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bigfoot12
Member of DD Central
Posts: 1,817
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Post by bigfoot12 on Feb 3, 2019 10:31:49 GMT
I thought that from Windows 7 onward it is built into Windows. See here for windows 7 details You probably shouldn't be using anything older than Windows 7. I don't use Windows much so I haven't used Remote Desktop, and i am likely to be out of date. |
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mosaic
Member of DD Central
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Post by mosaic on Feb 3, 2019 10:56:39 GMT
Remote Assistance is built into Windows 7 and 10. Search for it on the computer or find it in Control Panel. Might need some faffing to set it up, suggest physically set it up on Parent's PC rather than try and guide them through it.
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Post by bracknellboy on Feb 3, 2019 11:00:00 GMT
Remote Assistance is built into Windows 7 and 10. Search for it on the computer or find it in Control Panel. Might need some faffing to set it up, suggest physically set it up on Parent's PC rather than try and guide them through it.
Thanks. I run a Mac, father has Windows. Didn't know Remote Assistance was built into Windows.
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mosaic
Member of DD Central
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Post by mosaic on Feb 3, 2019 11:19:37 GMT
Looks like Teamviewer is the preferred option, just make sure that you understand the security options available when configuring it.
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dApps
Posts: 91
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Post by dApps on Feb 3, 2019 12:44:12 GMT
I'm familiar with the concept of remote desktop control for business IT support (where the recipient has to accept incoming request).
Does anyone know of low cost/free similar software which is suitable for personal use ? In this case to try to help elderly parents.
Is there too much risk involved that it might be hijacked by another party ?
Another 'upvote' on TeamViewer. And in line with other comments re: increased security, at the very least, do disable TeamViwer from loading on startup. Yes, it will mean your parents will need to launch TeamViewer before you able to action a connection request but that is (from a security perspective) preferable to leaving it running constantly. Additionally, When you have finished, be sure to exit TeamViewer on your parents device rather than solely disconnecting the session at your end. This again will ensure the TeamViewer service is not running constantly whilst not needed. Lastly (well, there's a fair bit more that can be done, but lastly in what I suggest should be done as a minimum), make a note to ensure you check for updates. There is an option to have the client software do tis automatically but I prefer to also do this manually and make sure. (Several reasons why the client may not update by itself, and spotting that it is unable to may be indicative of another issue which needs investigating.) And whilst I have my propeller-head hat on, if your parents are anything like most of my elderly 'clients', they dip in and out of their PCs (laptops or desktops) so infrequently and so quickly (compared to say you or I) that their systems rarely get the chance to run full and proper updates. Well worth manually running a system update on their behalf just to make sure, in my opinion. And a couple of links relating to the above for you to consider: Shutting down / Exiting a sessionSecurity considerations
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Post by bracknellboy on Feb 3, 2019 13:12:35 GMT
I'm familiar with the concept of remote desktop control for business IT support (where the recipient has to accept incoming request).
Does anyone know of low cost/free similar software which is suitable for personal use ? In this case to try to help elderly parents.
Is there too much risk involved that it might be hijacked by another party ?
Another 'upvote' on TeamViewer. And in line with other comments re: increased security, at the very least, do disable TeamViwer from loading on startup. Yes, it will mean your parents will need to launch TeamViewer before you able to action a connection request but that is (from a security perspective) preferable to leaving it running constantly. Additionally, When you have finished, be sure to exit TeamViewer on your parents device rather than solely disconnecting the session at your end. This again will ensure the TeamViewer service is not running constantly whilst not needed. Lastly (well, there's a fair bit more that can be done, but lastly in what I suggest should be done as a minimum), make a note to ensure you check for updates. There is an option to have the client software do tis automatically but I prefer to also do this manually and make sure. (Several reasons why the client may not update by itself, and spotting that it is unable to may be indicative of another issue which needs investigating.) And whilst I have my propeller-head hat on, if your parents are anything like most of my elderly 'clients', they dip in and out of their PCs (laptops or desktops) so infrequently and so quickly (compared to say you or I) that their systems rarely get the chance to run full and proper updates. Well worth manually running a system update on their behalf just to make sure, in my opinion. And a couple of links relating to the above for you to consider: Shutting down / Exiting a sessionSecurity considerations many thanks for all of that. this is something I'm going to have to come back to once I've got my own laptop as currently I "just" use my work one.
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j1
Posts: 60
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Post by j1 on Feb 20, 2019 21:41:49 GMT
TeamViewer is the only sensible option
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Post by akagi on Feb 20, 2019 22:59:26 GMT
Another vote for TeamViewer!
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jontyab
Member of DD Central
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Post by jontyab on Feb 21, 2019 12:08:02 GMT
I know of teamviewer by reputation, but I've personally used Anydesk a handful of times. It's free/fast/lightweight and installation is optional.
Most of the time when remoting into my own machines I use the built in remote desktop functionality of windows, however.
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Vero
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Post by Vero on Feb 23, 2019 19:23:02 GMT
I know of teamviewer by reputation, but I've personally used Anydesk a handful of times. It's free/fast/lightweight and installation is optional. Most of the time when remoting into my own machines I use the built in remote desktop functionality of windows, however.
I would second jontyab on Anydesk. Everyone's heard of Teamviewer but Anydesk just seems to be a better experience (and I think the techie side is a bit better too). I suspect the reason AnyDesk seems "like TeamViewer but better..." is because it is.
AnyDesk was created by ex-TeamViewer techies who wanted to make something lighter, faster and technically better than TeamViewer. Voila.
I loved TeamViewer for over 10 years (it really was something back then, revolutionary), but I switched to AnyDesk a few years ago, still happy.
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benaj
Member of DD Central
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Post by benaj on Feb 23, 2019 19:41:08 GMT
I love Teamviewer (Remote Control) & Teamviewer Quick Support. They are free for personal use. Remote Control is available on the iPad/iPhone/Android, allows remote control to Quick Support devices (iOS/Android), helping elderly from anywhere.
The only drawback, some uk banks doesn't like PC with teamviewer installed, they may block some transactions.
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Vero
Member of DD Central
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Post by Vero on Feb 23, 2019 19:49:44 GMT
Depends which bit of it you consider revolutionary, the ability to remotely control a computer long predated Teamviewer (pcAnywhere, VNC etc.).
It was light years ahead of pcAnywhere, VNC, etc. No comparison.
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