While we understand that some people keep TeamViewer on 24/7 as part of their workflow, and if you absolutely have to, fine. An application that isn’t running can’t cause any trouble for you. That way, even when there is a vulnerability in the program (like the one just discovered and patched), you won’t be in nearly as much danger. (More on this in the next section.)Īs a general future consideration, only run the TeamViewer application when you need it. First, compromises are often a result of poor security practices, we’re going to do one thing right away: shut TeamViewer temporarily off and update it, and, while the application is turned off, we’re going to update the security on your TeamViewer account through the company’s webpage. Our first suggestion is both an immediate action you need to take and a general suggestion for future use. But leaving TeamViewer in that simple first-run mode (which really should only be used in such a simple state for those one off emergencies) is just asking for trouble.Įxit TeamViewer, and Run It Only When You Need It This is useful when you’re trying to help your dad solve his computer woes from across the country: you can have him download a single file, run that file, have him give you the simple numeric computer ID and password, and boom, you’re controlling his computer and solving the crisis. It favors ease of use over difficult-to-navigate security procedures. And if you look at reports of past compromised machines, most victims were using an unsecured setup.īy default, TeamViewer isn’t a particularly secure application. Even when there aren’t any glaring security holes or widespread attacks, though, it’s very easy for a TeamViewer user to have their computer compromised if they don’t have all the right settings in order.

And just now, in December 2017, TeamViewer was forced to issue an emergency fix for a serious vulnerability in the program. RELATED: The Best Tools to Easily Perform Remote Tech Supportīack in 2016, there was a rash of computers compromised through TeamViewer.

TeamViewer is a great free program, whether you want to access your computer from afar or help out friends and relatives with their computer. But its default settings are remarkably insecure, instead favoring ease of use. Here’s how to lock down TeamViewer so you can make use of its features without opening yourself up to attack.

Teamviewer is it down