TeamViewer

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TeamViewer

logo
TeamViewer (screenshot) .png
Program window, version 14.1.18533 from 02.26.2019 (screenshot, Windows 7)
Basic data

developer TeamViewer AG
Publishing year 2005
Current  version 15.8.3 ( Windows , macOS , Linux ) July 28, 2020

15.8.1 ( iOS ) August 3, 2020

15.0.14842 ( Chrome OS ) November 19, 2019

8/15/115 et al. ( Android ) July 28, 2020

12.0.0.6394 ( Blackberry ) February 1, 2017

TeamViewer also for older operating systems

operating system Windows , macOS , Linux , Android , iOS , Blackberry , Windows 10 Mobile , Chrome OS , Raspberry Pi
category Remote maintenance
web conference
License proprietary
German speaking Yes
www.teamviewer.com

TeamViewer is a remote maintenance software for screen sharing , video conferencing , file transfer and VPN . The software works as an online service through firewalls and NAT as well as proxy servers. In contrast to VNC , it uses a proprietary protocol . TeamViewer is available as freeware for private users .

The software was first presented in 2005 by TeamViewer GmbH (today TeamViewer AG ) from Göppingen .

Operating systems

TeamViewer fully supports Windows , macOS , certain Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Debian, Red Hat, CentOS and Fedora) and Android , as well as iOS , Blackberry and Windows Phone from which only remote control is possible. Windows 10 Mobile can also be controlled remotely on mobile phones with the "TeamViewer QuickSupport" app.

Commercial and non-commercial use

TeamViewer is officially free of charge for private, non-commercial use, but there are reports from users that TeamViewer can only be used with a time limit for a session. Additional functions such as an optional administration database are only available in the paid version.

A paid license relates to the workstation from which remote controls or meetings are carried out, not to the remote-controlled computers or invited participants to a meeting. A single workstation or a maximum number of parallel sessions can be licensed.

program

The full version of TeamViewer offers the full functionality of the software. Incoming and outgoing connections via the Internet and LAN are possible, as well as VPN connections and file transfer. The full version can run as a Windows system service .

From version 5, the program enables audio and video transmission via IP telephony , an application selection in which only special applications are presented, and a local rear monitor , i.e. the exact display of the transmitted screen content.

The TeamViewer Portable contains the same range of functions as the full version. However, no data is saved on the computer. TeamViewer Portable is therefore intended for use on a USB stick . TeamViewer Portable is not available for OS X.

Teamviewer pilot

In TeamViewer 14, the Teamviewer Pilot was added, which should make it easier to carry out remote maintenance on technical devices of customers using augmented reality . To do this, the mobile app is installed on Android or IOS and the area to be transferred is recorded with the mobile phone or tablet camera. The transferred image can then be provided with markings and instructions by the support employee in order to better explain the facts to the customer. The price is 28 euros a month.

Access to private data

Establishing connections and sessions

When establishing a connection, TeamViewer first checks which connection types can be established with the existing configuration of security measures (such as firewalls and proxy servers). In 70% of cases, after negotiating the encryption via the TeamViewer server, a direct connection (via TCP or UDP) can be established between the two endpoints of the connection; the data transfer required for this session is then no longer processed via the TeamViewer server. The manufacturer provides a description of the session structure in the documentation. This shows when and how data is transmitted via the TeamViewer server.

Data transfer

With the portable version, the user agrees that "non-personal data" may be collected.

TeamViewer uses encryption based on the RSA cryptosystem and AES encryption with 256 bits. With direct connections between two computers on the LAN is symmetric encryption used.

According to the manufacturer, man-in-the-middle attacks are not possible. This should be guaranteed by the signed key exchange of two key pairs. The public key is exchanged directly and the symmetrical key (AES 256 bit) is generated. The public keys are exchanged via the main server, which confirms authenticity by means of a signature on the root certificate. The public key of the root certificate is known to the clients, who use it to check the authenticity of the signature. This means that there is a secure chain of certificates that confirms to clients that a public key belongs to a specific ID. Accessing data therefore requires administrative access to the main server (only meta and connection data) or the exploitation of any security gaps in the server system.

Misuse

TeamViewer and similar programs are regularly used to enforce technical support scams . The fraudster gains access to the victim's computer through TeamViewer. In rare cases, an older version of TeamViewer is used (usually version 9) to hide the screen image from the victim, although this can also be set in current versions. The fraudster is thus able to act on the victim's computer while the victim can only see a black screen.

In the meantime, some Internet providers have temporarily blocked TeamViewer data traffic and similar remote control software in order to protect their customers, but this is legally questionable with regard to non-improper use.

From 2014 to 2016, Chinese hackers had access to Teamviewer's network.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Change logs. In: community.teamviewer.com. Retrieved August 13, 2020 .
  2. ↑ Change Logs [iOS]. Retrieved August 13, 2020 .
  3. ↑ Download page for Chrome. In: Chrome Web Store. Retrieved November 22, 2019 .
  4. ↑ Change Logs [Android]. TeamViewer, accessed on August 13, 2020 .
  5. ↑ Installation page for Blackberry. In: Blackberry World . Retrieved July 26, 2017 .
  6. ↑ Which operating systems (versions) are supported? TeamViewer GmbH, accessed on March 14, 2019 (English).
  7. ↑ Download older TeamViewer versions. TeamViewer GmbH, accessed on March 14, 2019 (English).
  8. ↑ TeamViewer Linux Download for Remote Desktop access and collaboration. Retrieved September 12, 2019 .
  9. ↑ Which operating systems are supported? Retrieved January 1, 2020 .
  10. ↑ youtube.com: Teamviewer 14 Crippleware - 5 min session only
  11. ↑ s. Comments at heise Download. Retrieved April 18, 2019 .
  12. ↑ TeamViewer licenses and prices for commercial use
  13. ↑ Remote maintenance: Teamviewer 14 shows information with Augmented Reality - Golem.de. Accessed April 16, 2019 (German).
  14. ↑ a b TeamViewer safety information and description (PDF file, 768 KB). (PDF) April 2017, accessed on March 16, 2019 .
  15. ↑ See point 5. "DATA PROTECTION" on the portable version 9 of TeamViewer: " TeamViewer takes the protection of your personal data very seriously ... Non-personal or anonymous data may be collected automatically to improve functionality and your experience with our Product, in particular to facilitate and improve the provision of software updates, support, content, TPM and other services. You agree that any non-personal or anonymous data collected may be sent to any of our worldwide offices or affiliates for processing. "
  16. ↑ Solved: Scammers - TeamViewer Community - 682. In: teamviewer.com. Retrieved March 6, 2019 .
  17. ↑ How to show black screen on remote computer using TeamViewer - Code Yarns. Retrieved March 6, 2019 .
  18. ↑ ISP Blocks TeamViewer Because of Tech Support Scammers. Retrieved November 26, 2019 (American English).
  19. ↑ TeamViewer fends off attacks by suspected Chinese hackers. Retrieved on August 10, 2020 (German).