txaggie04ci
join:2002-06-18
Dallas, TX
| What is remote assistance and should I disable it?
I noticed while viewing my system info, there was a tab for remote assistance. I don't believe I've messed with these settings, and its set to on as the default. I don't know anything about this, but just wanted to make sure I wasn't in a big security risk for having this on.
Is it fine enabled or should I disable it? |
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TearAbite
join:2001-07-25
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
 ·surpasshosting
 ·Charter Pipeline
| that's to invite/allow people to remotly control your PC to fix things.
I dont know if i'd call it a 'big security risk' or not.. but i disabled mine.
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Click HERE to see my FAKEz |
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TheWickerMan
join:2002-04-09
Enola, PA
| reply to txaggie04ci
Remote Assistance allows you to give another user access to your computer, so they can fix things even if they can't be physically there.
I believe that even if you have it enabled, you still have to request assistance from someone for them to actually be able to take control. But if you would feel safer disabling it, it's not going to hurt anything. If you ever decide you need to use it, you can always enable it again. |
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Dustyn
Premium
join:2003-02-26
Ontario, CAN
| reply to txaggie04ci
I have mine disabled and removed the exception in Windows Firewall. I also removed the option to have my computer SEND remote invitations. Not sure if either or is a security risk but... I have no need for remote assistance.
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"You have no idea what I am capable of. People who have tried to cross me, have lived to regret it...~Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) |
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Mele20
Premium
join:2001-06-05
Hilo, HI
| reply to txaggie04ci
Re: What is remote assistance and should I disable
Remote assistance can be great. I had the developer of Ping Plotter Pro set up remote assistance with me. We used UltraVNC instead of Microsoft's Remote Assistance because I did not want to reinstall Windows Messenger which is required with MS's tool. He came into my computer, after I sent an email to him inviting him, and gathered a lot of information about the beta version I am testing and fixed stuff on the spot. That was so superior to email tech support which we had been doing. I got to watch everything he did and we communicated by IM while this was happening. I could have stopped it at any point.
Next year, Dell will be using Remote Assistance to enter Dell computers twice a year, by their techs, for a free "tune-up".
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Around 2005 a sudden spark will catalyze a Crisis mood. The very survival of the nation will seem to be at stake.Sometime before 2025, America will pass through a great gate in history. The risk and promise will be very high. The Fourth Turning Wm. Straus |
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harleychick
join:2005-09-21
Cathedral City, CA
| about the Dell comment....well, I don't know what to think...I don't trust no one, when they wanna enter my computer remotely, unless I'm requesting it, and even then, I harbor doubts.
I am quite sure that Dell isn't thinking with OUR best interests at heart, otherwise, had they been considering MY feelings when they shipped out my inspirion, they'd have KNOWN it would not be in my best interest to BLOAT UP mine with their DellMyWayMySearch BS...
I disable everything remotely referencing remote!!
I'm a little paraniod....shows I'm paying attention  |
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Sith HMP
I Did What?
Premium
join:2004-04-25
Bloomington, IL
| reply to Mele20
"Next year, Dell will be using Remote Assistance to enter Dell computers twice a year, by their techs, for a free "tune-up". "
Do yo have a link to a story that backs this up? I somehow doubt it's legal for them to just access your PC with out permission. I could, however, be wrong. I would like to read this article though. Thanks.
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I am not as dumb as you think I think I am. |
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SoonerAl
Old Enough To Know Better
Premium,MVM
join:2002-07-23
Norman, OK
|  reply to txaggie04ci
Re: What is remote assistance and should I disable it?
Note that when using Remote Assistance the Expert needs permission from the Novice to take control of the Novice desktop. There is, AFAIK, no work around to that. On a XP Pro box you can configure that using group policies.
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"When all else fails, read the instructions..." |
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Mele20
Premium
join:2001-06-05
Hilo, HI
| reply to Sith HMP
Re: What is remote assistance and should I disable
"Now the company, which revolutionized how PCs are sold with its direct model, has plans to change how PC support is provided. On Sept. 28 it announced a line of higher-priced PCs, dubbed the XPS line, that will come with improved levels of service. XPS owners who call in for help will be routed onto shorter queues to dedicated teams made up of the company's "best" phone reps, says Michael A. George, general manager of Dell's U.S. consumer businesses. "The goal is for the vast majority (of XPS owners) to wait for less than five minutes."
That's one of several ways in which Dell will encourage customers who want more support to pay extra for it. In November the company will launch a slate of new offerings, including remote assistance so technicians can take control of the customer's PC to fix problems. And early next year Dell will introduce a series of one-year memberships so customers can opt for various levels of help, at various prices. One of the options will likely include a quarterly PC tune-up, in which a techie would remotely clean up the hard drive and check security settings.
All of this adds up to a quiet attempt to reset customer expectations in the PC industry. While execs won't say so publicly, the message is clear: That new PC you bring home comes with only the most rudimentary support. More hand-holding costs extra."
»biz.yahoo.com/bizwk/050930/b3954···tml?.v=1
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Around 2005 a sudden spark will catalyze a Crisis mood. The very survival of the nation will seem to be at stake.Sometime before 2025, America will pass through a great gate in history. The risk and promise will be very high. The Fourth Turning Wm. Straus |
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Cudni
La Merma - Vigilado
Premium,MVM
join:2003-12-20
Someshire
| "..
line of higher-priced PCs, dubbed the XPS line, that will come with improved levels of service. XPS owners who call in for help will be routed onto shorter queues to dedicated teams made up of the company's "best" phone reps ..."
As with other things in life, those who can afford it get a better care, much better. The rest, well...
Cudni |
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Sith HMP
I Did What?
Premium
join:2004-04-25
Bloomington, IL
1 edit | reply to Mele20
Thank you for that. Although, I have talked to some Dell "techs" and I am quite sure I would not want them to have a remote connection to my microwave let alone my PC. I'm sure they all aren't like that. The ones I have talked to were pretty bad.
Sorry for going off topic. To get back on topic I have all remote access disabled on my PC as well. Like others have said, if ever comes a time when I need it I simply go back and re enable it.
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I am not as dumb as you think I think I am. |
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Mele20
Premium
join:2001-06-05
Hilo, HI
| The new Warranty Support Center for Small Business customers is excellent. They are located in Texas, not off shore, and those techs are good! Nothing like the horrible techs I had to deal with for almost two years in India. Dell heard the complaints and created this center in Texas. Surprisingly, who doesn't know that much about tech support are the managers in the Small Business Resolution Center. The Warranty Support techs, who answer to the managers in the Resolution Center, can walk circles around most of the managers in terms of support for hardware problems.
As for remote access, I would let one of these Warranty Support Center techs into my computer. I would never let any of the techs in India in though. When you invite someone in, you retain full control to stop the entering party at any time and you can watch everything they do and conduct a chat at the same time so you can help direct them to a problem, etc.
I think it is a good idea to keep remote assistance turned off until/unless you need it. Plus, I would suggest to use UltraVNC not Microsoft remote assistance as that requires that infernal Windows Messenger be installed.
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Around 2005 a sudden spark will catalyze a Crisis mood. The very survival of the nation will seem to be at stake.Sometime before 2025, America will pass through a great gate in history. The risk and promise will be very high. The Fourth Turning Wm. Straus |
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SoonerAl
Old Enough To Know Better
Premium,MVM
join:2002-07-23
Norman, OK
| reply to txaggie04ci
Re: What is remote assistance and should I disable it?
You don't need to use Messenger for RA. You could only use email or the file method to send an RA Invitation if you want. All of this is in controlled by the Novice user and not the Expert...
»www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/usin···tro.mspx
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"When all else fails, read the instructions..." |
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Mele20
Premium
join:2001-06-05
Hilo, HI
| Re: What is remote assistance and should I disable
You still are REQUIRED to have Messenger installed on your computer. I didn't say anything about being required to USE it. It must be installed. I ripped Messenger out first thing using Doug Knox's permanent method which involves editing the registry. Many folks just silence Messenger but it is still there. In my case, it is permanently GONE. Microsoft said that means I couldn't use Remote Access. I wasn't about to reinstall that crap and have it immediately screw up my OE. That is why we went with UltraVNC. Both the developer and I asked MS about this and Messenger must be installed on the XP Pro box if RA is used.
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Around 2005 a sudden spark will catalyze a Crisis mood. The very survival of the nation will seem to be at stake.Sometime before 2025, America will pass through a great gate in history. The risk and promise will be very high. The Fourth Turning Wm. Straus |
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