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TeamViewer

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TeamViewer
Developer(s)TeamViewer AG, Germany
Stable release(s) [±]
Windows (desktop app)15.59.3 / 29 October 2024; 12 days ago (2024-10-29)[1][2]
macOS15.59.3 / 29 October 2024; 12 days ago (2024-10-29)[3]
Linux15.59.3 / 29 October 2024; 12 days ago (2024-10-29)[4]
Android/ChromeOS15.59.582 / 25 October 2024; 16 days ago (2024-10-25)[5][6]
iOS15.59.1 / 29 October 2024; 12 days ago (2024-10-29)[7]
Windows (UWP app)15.53.6 / 15 April 2024; 6 months ago (2024-04-15)[8]
Operating systemWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS/iPadOS, Raspberry Pi[9]
TypeRemote administration, Web conferencing
Licenseproprietary software
Websitewww.teamviewer.com

TeamViewer is a proprietary software for remote access to as well as remote control and maintenance of computers and other devices,[10][11] which was first released in 2005.[12] The functionality has been expanded step by step, most recently for example through the integration of TeamViewer Meeting.[13] TeamViewer does not require registration and is free of charge for non-commercial use, which has helped the software to become very popular.[14] It has been installed on more than two billion devices.[15] TeamViewer is the core product of the Göppingen-based company of the same name.[16][17] Companies that use the software include Siemens Healthineers, for example.[18][19]

History

Rossmanith GmbH released the first version of TeamViewer software in 2005, at that time still based on the VNC project.[20] The IT service provider wanted to avoid unnecessary trips to customers and perform tasks such as installing software remotely.[21] The development was very successful and gave rise to TeamViewer GmbH, which today operates as TeamViewer Germany GmbH and is part of TeamViewer AG.[22]

Operating systems

TeamViewer is available for all desktop computers with common operating systems,[23] including Microsoft Windows and Windows Server, as well as Apple's macOS.[24] There are also packages for several Linux distributions and derivatives, for example, Debian[25], Ubuntu[26], Red Hat[27], and Fedora Linux.[28] Besides, there is Raspberry Pi OS, a Debian variant for the Raspberry Pi.[29]

TeamViewer is also available for smartphones and tablets running Android or Apple's iOS/iPadOS operating system.[30] Support for Windows Phone and Windows Mobile has been phased out after Microsoft discontinued support for the two operating systems.[31]

Functionality

The functionality of TeamViewer differs depending on the device and variant or version of the software. The core of TeamViewer is remote access to computers and other endpoints as well as their control and maintenance.[32] After the connection is established, the remote screen is visible to the user at the other endpoint. Both endpoints can send and receive files as well as access a shared clipboard, for example.[33] Besides, some functions facilitate team collaboration, such as audio and video transmissions via IP telephony.[34]

In recent years, the functionality of the software has been optimized in particular for use in large companies.[35] For this purpose, the enterprise variant TeamViewer Tensor was developed.[36] With TeamViewer Pilot[37], TeamViewer sells software for remote support with augmented reality elements.[38] TeamViewer offers interfaces to other applications and services, for example from Microsoft (Teams)[39][40], Salesforce[41], and ServiceNow.[42] The solution is available in nearly all countries and supports over 30 languages.[43]

License policy

Private users who use TeamViewer for non-commercial purposes may use the software free of charge.[44][45] Fees must be paid for the commercial use of the software. Companies and other commercial customers must sign up for a subscription.[46] A one-time purchase of the application is no longer possible since the switch from a license to a subscription model.[47] The prices for using the software are scaled according to the number of users as well as the number of concurrent sessions.[44] Updates are released monthly and are included for all users.[9]

Security

Incoming and outgoing connections are equally possible via the Internet or local networks. If desired, TeamViewer can run as a Windows system service, which allows unattended access via TeamViewer. Besides, there is a portable version of the software that runs completely without installation, for example via a USB data carrier.[48]

The connection is established using automatically generated unique IDs and passwords. Before each connection, the TeamViewer network servers check the validity of the IDs of both endpoints. Security is enhanced by the fingerprint, which allows users to provide additional proof of the remote device's identity. Passwords are protected against brute force attacks, especially by increasing the waiting time between connection attempts exponentially.[49] TeamViewer provides additional security features, such as two-factor authentication, block and allow lists.

Before establishing a connection, TeamViewer first checks the configuration of the device and the network to detect restrictions imposed by firewalls and other security systems. Usually, a direct TCP/UDP connection can be established so that no additional ports need to be opened. Otherwise, TeamViewer falls back on other paths such as an HTTP tunnel.[50]

Regardless of the connection type selected, data is transferred exclusively via secure data channels. TeamViewer includes end-to-end encryption based on RSA (4096 bits) and AES (256 bits).[51] According to the manufacturer, man-in-the-middle attacks are principally not possible. This is to be guaranteed by the signed key exchange of two key pairs.[52]

Abuse

TeamViewer and similar programs can be abused for Technical Support Scam.[53] In this process, attackers pretend to be employees of well-known companies to gain control over their victims' computers. They then use a pretext to obtain money from their victims.[54] For this reason, the British Internet provider TalkTalk temporarily blocked the software's data traffic.[55] TeamViewer condemns all forms of misuse of the software constantly improves the product in this respect, provides tips for safe use, and investigates corresponding incidents.[56]

See also

References

  1. ^ "[Windows] v15.59.3". TeamViewer Community. November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  2. ^ "Windows". TeamViewer. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  3. ^ "[macOS] v15.59.3". TeamViewer Community. November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  4. ^ "[Linux] v15.58.4". TeamViewer Community. September 25, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  5. ^ "[Android] Remote Control v15.58.553". TeamViewer Community. September 24, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  6. ^ "TeamViewer Remote Control". Google Play. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  7. ^ "[iOS] Remote Control v15.58.1". TeamViewer Community. September 24, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  8. ^ "TeamViewer Remote". Microsoft Apps. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Release Notes", Knowledge Base / TeamViewer Community (in German), retrieved February 4, 2021
  10. ^ "Wie geht das? TeamViewer ermöglicht Hilfe aus der Ferne.", Berliner Zeitung (in German), December 29, 2007
  11. ^ Carl D. Rinker, "Advanced Home Server – Making the Complicated Easier", Google Books, p. 279
  12. ^ Michael Mierke (August 27, 2019), "Was ist TeamViewer? Tipps & Tricks", Heise Online (in German), retrieved February 4, 2020
  13. ^ Eva-Maria Weiß (January 15, 2021), "Ende-zu-Ende-verschlüsselte Videokonferenzen: TeamViewer Meeting nun kostenlos", Heise Online (in German), retrieved February 5, 2021
  14. ^ Jens Tönnesmann (December 8, 2016), "Die Weltvernetzer", Die Zeit (in German), p. 34, retrieved February 4, 2021
  15. ^ "TeamViewer Reviews & Product Details", G2, retrieved February 25, 2021
  16. ^ Robert Landgraf (September 13, 2019), "Reifeprüfung Börsengang", Handelsblatt (in German), retrieved February 4, 2020
  17. ^ "Das Einhorn von Göppingen", Handelsblatt (in German), January 7, 2017, retrieved February 4, 2020
  18. ^ "Siemens Healthineers nutzt TeamViewer weltweit.", Tecnomedicina (in German), February 4, 2021, retrieved February 5, 2021
  19. ^ Teamviewer Supports Medical Technology Providers Digitalizing the Healthcare Sector – Siemens Healthineers Already Uses TeamViewer Globally, Nasdaq, February 3, 2021, retrieved February 17, 2021
  20. ^ About TeamViewer (in German), Rossmanith GmbH, archived from the original on April 19, 2005, retrieved February 4, 2020
  21. ^ Larissa Holzki, Christof Kerkmann, Effy Zhang (June 5, 2020), "Per Mausklick in die Firma", Handelsblatt (in German), p. 27, retrieved February 4, 2020{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ Unternehmensregister (in German), Bundesanzeiger Verlag, retrieved February 4, 2021
  23. ^ "Supported Operating Systems", Knowledge Base / TeamViewer Community, retrieved February 4, 2020
  24. ^ Philip Michaels (February 10, 2009), "TeamViewer v4 Desktop Collaboration App Now Mac-Compatible", Macworld, retrieved February 15, 2021
  25. ^ "How to Install TeamViewer on Debian 10", Vitux Linux Compendium, retrieved February 10, 2021
  26. ^ "How to Install TeamViewer on Ubuntu 20.04", Linuxize, June 27, 2020, retrieved February 16, 2021
  27. ^ "TeamViewer for RHEL 7.5 server", Customer Portal, Red Hat, retrieved February 9, 2021
  28. ^ Josphat Mutai (April 17, 2020), "How To Install TeamViewer on Fedora 32/31/30/29", Computing for Geeks, retrieved February 5, 2021
  29. ^ Oliver Nickel (January 22, 2018), "Remote Desktop: TeamViewer kommt für IoT-Geräte wie den Raspberry Pi.", Golem (in German), retrieved February 4, 2020
  30. ^ Franz Công Bùi (August 1, 2012), "TeamViewer-App ermöglicht Zugriff auf Computer aus der Ferne.", Börsen-Zeitung (in German), p. 19
  31. ^ TeamViewer QuickSupport, Microsoft, retrieved February 16, 2021
  32. ^ TeamViewer, University of Münster, retrieved February 17, 2021
  33. ^ Georg Drabner (April 24, 2009), "Hilfe aus der Ferne", Saarbrücker Zeitung (in German)
  34. ^ Reiko Kaps (December 3, 2009), "Desktop-Fernhilfe mit Video-Telefonie", Heise Online (in German), retrieved February 4, 2020
  35. ^ "TeamViewer 8: Fernwartungssoftware mit neuen Funktionen für Unternehmen", Golem (in German), retrieved February 4, 2020
  36. ^ Thomas Bär, Frank-Michael Schlede (2019), "TeamViewer Tensor: Fernwartung für die Großen", Admin Magazin (in German), no. 4, retrieved February 4, 2020
  37. ^ TeamViewer Pilot: Fernsupport mithilfe von Augmented Reality (in German), Digital Business Cloud, August 26, 2019, retrieved February 4, 2020
  38. ^ Oliver Nickel (October 24, 2018), "TeamViewer 14 zeigt Informationen mit Augmented Reality", Golem (in German), retrieved February 4, 2020
  39. ^ "Microsoft to integrate TeamViewer in Microsoft Teams", The Hindu Business Line, Mumbai, September 3, 2020, retrieved February 15, 2021
  40. ^ "TeamViewer Integrates with Microsoft Teams", Enterprise IT World, September 2, 2020, retrieved February 9, 2021
  41. ^ "TeamViewer – Remote Support and Access Integration for Salesforce", AppExchange, Salesforce, retrieved February 16, 2021
  42. ^ "New Features Added to TeamViewer Integration with ServiceNow", AiThority, July 2, 2020, retrieved February 15, 2021
  43. ^ "TeamViewer Software", Software Advice, retrieved February 11, 2021
  44. ^ a b Kommerzielle Nutzung (in German), TeamViewer AG, retrieved February 4, 2020
  45. ^ Jörn Brien (March 18, 2020), "Coronavirus: TeamViewer kannst du jetzt inoffiziell auch beruflich gratis nutzen.", t3n (in German), yeebase media, retrieved February 4, 2020
  46. ^ "All about Subscription", Knowledge Base / TeamViewer Community, retrieved February 4, 2020
  47. ^ Michael Kroker (October 31, 2018), "TeamViewer-CEO Steil: „Die DSGVO ist für uns ein Wettbewerbs-Vorteil".", WirtschaftsWoche (in German), retrieved February 4, 2020
  48. ^ Die besten Programme für den USB-Stick – TeamViewer Portable (in German), T-Online, retrieved February 4, 2020
  49. ^ "What is Brute-Force Protection?", Knowledge Base / TeamViewer Community, retrieved February 4, 2020
  50. ^ "Which ports are used by TeamViewer?", Knowledge Base hrsg=TeamViewer Community, retrieved February 4, 2020
  51. ^ David Murphy (June 4, 2016), TeamViewer Introduces New Security Measures to Thwart Hacks, retrieved February 14, 2021
  52. ^ "How secure is TeamViewer?", Knowledge Base / TeamViewer Community (in German), retrieved February 4, 2020
  53. ^ "TeamViewer und Scamming", Knowledge Base / TeamViewer Community (in German), retrieved February 4, 2020
  54. ^ Hajo Schulz (2016), "Bei Anruf Abzocke", c’t Magazin (in German), no. 26, p. 64, retrieved February 4, 2020
  55. ^ Kat Hall (March 9, 2017), "Brit ISP TalkTalk Blocks Control Tool TeamViewer", The Register, retrieved February 4, 2020
  56. ^ Report a Scam, TeamViewer AG, retrieved February 4, 2020