what is team viewer

TeamViewer

 is a computer software package for remote control, desktop sharing, and file transfer between computers. The software operates with the Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X,Linux, iOS,^] and Android^[5] operating systems. It is possible to access a machine running TeamViewer with a web browser.^[6] While the main focus of the application is remote control of computers, collaboration and presentation features are included.^[7]

TeamViewer GmbH was founded in 2005 in Uhingen, Germany.

Malicious use

Any remote control software can be used maliciously, typically using social engineering rather than hacking. In an incident from 2008, typically someone would be telephoned at random by a caller claiming to be from Microsoft. The victim would be told that either a virus has been detected on their machine, or offered a free checkup. They will be asked to run remote control software. TeamViewer can be used as it is very easy to use without administrator privileges. This gives the attacker full control, and they can do anything they want. Typically they will do things which imply that the system is not working properly, e.g. by displaying alarming messages, then demand payment to resolve the "problem". It is also possible for Trojan software to be installed to recruit the machine to a botnet.

In 2011 another incident was reported, this time from a company claiming to be receiving error messages from the virus software installed in a user's computer. The caller insisted error messages were being generated, but could not name the antivirus software generating the messages.