Is it safe to let someone to remotely control your PC during cust.service?

[greko]

Hi folks

Have just bought a new PC from a guy who runs his business from home out here in Greece. He comes well recommended by others, both business and home users and my hubby and I met him to discuss our needs over coffee first. We found him to be a decent guy, very straight forward, professional and saw nothing in the least bit 'shifty' about him !!

 

Whilst chatting I asked about ongoing support and asked him "can you get into the PC whilst we're on the phone so you can see exactly what I am talking about if I have a problem?" To this he said "yes, I can control it - you will see I can move the mouse!" OK, first I thought that's great, at least I will have proper support now (Microsoft never answer any queries)

 

BUT we've all seen 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo' !! ;) ;) so my question is - if he can access my PC, does that mean he can also look into my business accounts in Excel files stored on there, my photos, personal letters in Word etc? I suppose what I am concerned with, what if he wasn't genuine, could he in fact clone my ID in any way??

 

I appreciate that hotmail, my banking etc has password protection - which I assume he couldn't access (??) - but I wouldn't like anyone to be able to browse through our personal stuff anyway, it would be like being burgled!!!

 

Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean there's nobody out to get me.....

Any advice much appreciated...

 

cheers

Mrs greko

[BreatGritain]

Hi,

 

This is a feature of Windows called Remote Assistance. If the seller has activated this feature, you can easily switch it back off again.

 

What version of Windows are you using?

 

In Windows 7, Double Click "My Computer", then click "System Properties" at the top of the page.

 

Click the "Remote Settings" link on the left, and make sure the check box isn't ticked on the Window that appears. Click ok, Job done.

Edited November 29, 2012 by BreatGritain

[KenB]

To add a little to what BreatGritain has said:

 

Often we would find it far easier to take control of a member's pc to solve a problem.

This, however, is against our policy.

For this reason .....

If you give somebody access to your pc in this way - they will have access to much of your files.

If you keep sensitive data on your machine - they may well have access to this too.

We would not want to be accused if anything went wrong with the pc or worse ......financial accounts .....so it is easier to stay remote.

 

If the seller did take control you would, of course, be able to see what they were doing - but this is not the point.

 

I don't like the idea.

 

I know some "paid for" Anti Virus software manufacturers will take control of a machine to rid it of a virus.

It depends how much you trust that person.

 

If you don't want this guy to have access then I suggest that you make sure that Remote Access is disabled ( see BreatGritain's post )

 

There are other ways that he could take control.

LogMeIn is a piece of software that allows remote access to a machine that has the software installed.

This is passworded - if the seller installed this then then he would have the password and access to your machine if it was switched on.

 

There is other software that can do this.

 

It may be prudent to ask him ......out of interest say .......how he takes control of your machine.

What is the name of the software ?

If he is legitimate ....and there is no reason to suspect otherwise ....he will tell you.

 

If it is LogMeIn ...or other similar software .... you can remove it.

[Plastic Nev]

Please also remember that actually taking your computer to any repair shop, is actually worse! Once you leave it, any unscrupulous dealer or so called engineer can access even more of your private data than could be seen by remote access, and do so without you seeing it done.

 

At least with remote access, you can to some extent see what area's of your computer and data are being looked at, and you can pull the plug and stop that at any time.

 

So, all of the above means that whatever is the reason for requiring assistance to repair a fault, you have to be absolutely sure you can trust that person.

Also, wherever possible, either do try to not have private or sensitive information on your computer in the first place, or secondly, if it is necessary to have that information, then cover it with encryption and password protect it. There is plenty of ways and software available to do that, or before taking it for repair, delete it.

 

Nev.

[Armageddon]

Even though this forum doesn't allow it I use remote assistance software a hell of a lot , but one of the things I do state is to remove sensitive data before I take control I also insist the person watches my every move and chats with me while I do whatever is needed , I do agree with Nev though taking to a shop can be worse so basically it comes down to trust and choice

[DSTM]

I use remote access almost daily to help my close friends.

Good advice given to check what programs are installed on your computer.

Best advice is never leave your computer for a second and watch his or her mouse carefully.

Don't go to the toilet, nothing.

If someone was trying to install something on your computer you would see it happening

One click if your suspicious and end the remote access.

There is no need to remove passwords etc.Just watch where the mouse is.

As far as computer shops go they wouldn't last long if they stole any sensitive information.

Mostly they are too busy to go prying I have found.

[Synapse]

I used to run a PC business, and remote access was part of my toolkit. I had different agreements with different customers. Some, notably business customers were happy with me having 'anytime' access so I could run maintenance tasks out of office hours without needing someone at the other end. Others, gave me access on a 'as needed' basis and they could allow me to connect, and disconnect me as they wished, so they were secure. It is really down to how you feel about it, bear in mind you can have full control of access if you need to.

[greko]

Hi All

 

I hope this reply goes to everyone who has kindly taken the trouble to reply. THANK YOU all very much, your advice is much appreciated and I will certainly think twice about this, let's hope it doesn't crop up eh. I have decided anyway not to save anything sensitive on my PC, like accounts and personal letters, to keep all that on my separate hard drive. That way I shouldn't need to worry so much - she said hopefully...

Thanks again

greko