#remotesupport — Public Fediverse posts

Remote support just got smarter with Zoho Lens.

Use real-time AR assistance, visual collaboration, and remote troubleshooting to resolve issues faster, reduce downtime, and deliver better customer support.

👉 https://zurl.co/Ufwx8
#ZohoLens #RemoteSupport #ZohoExperts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqqfZd75tMs
SecPoint® Protector™ V69 introduces automatic support service deactivation for improved security.

This function helps ensure that the support service does not remain active longer than needed after a remote support session.

By automatically disabling the support service, administrators can reduce unnecessary exposure and keep the firewall environment more tightly controlled.

#SecPoint #CyberSecurity #Protector #Firewall #RemoteSupport

This week I did an interesting data recovery task for a family. (This was a legal data access. The identities were verified). They were trying to put together a notification list for an upcoming funeral. They could tell the contacts in the person’s laptop were incomplete because names they knew should be there were missing. And the person’s Android phone, with Google Contacts, won’t directly sync to the email app on the laptop. They could go through the phone contacts one at a time, but, was there an easier way?

Yes, there is.

In this case, it was an Android phone. Refer to the picture.

You can export the Google Contacts to a single .vcf file (vcf is an abbreviation of an abbreviation. It stands for vCard File, and vCard is short for Virtual (Business) Card).

People sometimes think that a .vcf file is a single contact, but a .vcf file can contain multiple contact records. It can be quite large and contain hundreds, even thousands, of contacts.

You can view some of the information with any text editor like Notepad. To easily view all of the information, import the .vcf file into a new or existing address book in an email program.

SUMMARY
For this client, the solution was to export the contacts as a .vcf file from the phone, import the .vcf file into the contacts in the computer, and merge duplicates. Now they have a relatively complete list of contacts in one place, and they can manage announcements and invitations using a full-size keyboard.

The client is in another state. A family member did the steps while I coached them over the phone.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#TechSupport #RemoteSupport #HelpDesk

Cybersecurity - Networks - Wireless – Telecom – VoIP

This week I did an interesting data recovery task for a family. (This was a legal data access. The identities were verified). They were trying to put together a notification list for an upcoming funeral. They could tell the contacts in the person’s laptop were incomplete because names they knew should be there were missing. And the person’s Android phone, with Google Contacts, won’t directly sync to the email app on the laptop. They could go through the phone contacts one at a time, but, was there an easier way?

Yes, there is.

In this case, it was an Android phone. Refer to the picture.

You can export the Google Contacts to a single .vcf file (vcf is an abbreviation of an abbreviation. It stands for vCard File, and vCard is short for Virtual (Business) Card).

People sometimes think that a .vcf file is a single contact, but a .vcf file can contain multiple contact records. It can be quite large and contain hundreds, even thousands, of contacts.

You can view some of the information with any text editor like Notepad. To easily view all of the information, import the .vcf file into a new or existing address book in an email program.

SUMMARY
For this client, the solution was to export the contacts as a .vcf file from the phone, import the .vcf file into the contacts in the computer, and merge duplicates. Now they have a relatively complete list of contacts in one place, and they can manage announcements and invitations using a full-size keyboard.

The client is in another state. A family member did the steps while I coached them over the phone.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#TechSupport #RemoteSupport #HelpDesk

Cybersecurity - Networks - Wireless – Telecom – VoIP

Last Thursday I was doing a remote tech support call for an elderly gentleman and his wife in Macon, Georgia (I’m in Seattle). He said, “The printer is in another room, and I want to check the status to see if my document is done printing. It takes a lot of steps. Is there an easy way to see when the printer is done?”

SOLUTION
I put a shortcut to the printer queue on his Windows desktop, which was actually on a laptop. They both liked it, so I put another shortcut on the desktop of her laptop.

HOW TO DO IT
If you’d like a shortcut to open your printer queue, here are the steps. If you have more than one printer, you can make one for each of them.

Step 1: In Printer Properties, copy the name of your printer.

Step 2: On the desktop, Right-Click - New - Shortcut.

Step 3: Where it says, "Type the location of the item," write:
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /o /n "YourPrinterName"
Between the quote marks, replace YourPrinterName with the name of your printer, found in Step 1.

Example:
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /o /n "WF-2930 Series(Network)"

Step 4: Give the shortcut a name and save it.

Step 5: While something is printing, double-click the icon to see the current document queue and status.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#TechSupport #RemoteSupport #HelpDesk

Cybersecurity - Networks - Wireless – Telecom – VoIP

Last Thursday I was doing a remote tech support call for an elderly gentleman and his wife in Macon, Georgia (I’m in Seattle). He said, “The printer is in another room, and I want to check the status to see if my document is done printing. It takes a lot of steps. Is there an easy way to see when the printer is done?”

SOLUTION
I put a shortcut to the printer queue on his Windows desktop, which was actually on a laptop. They both liked it, so I put another shortcut on the desktop of her laptop.

HOW TO DO IT
If you’d like a shortcut to open your printer queue, here are the steps. If you have more than one printer, you can make one for each of them.

Step 1: In Printer Properties, copy the name of your printer.

Step 2: On the desktop, Right-Click - New - Shortcut.

Step 3: Where it says, "Type the location of the item," write:
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /o /n "YourPrinterName"
Between the quote marks, replace YourPrinterName with the name of your printer, found in Step 1.

Example:
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /o /n "WF-2930 Series(Network)"

Step 4: Give the shortcut a name and save it.

Step 5: While something is printing, double-click the icon to see the current document queue and status.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#TechSupport #RemoteSupport #HelpDesk

Cybersecurity - Networks - Wireless – Telecom – VoIP

🖥️ “Big Brother is Watching!” by Bartek Bielawski taught how to troubleshoot client machines remotely using #PowerShell without disrupting users: 🧰 #Sysinternals (Handle, Procmon, RAMMap) 📡 #pktmon > netsh 🧪 Smart prep = zero friction 🎟️ psconf.eu #RemoteSupport #PSConfEU

- YouTube

🖥️ “Big Brother is Watching!” by Bartek Bielawski taught how to troubleshoot client machines remotely using #PowerShell without disrupting users: 🧰 #Sysinternals (Handle, Procmon, RAMMap) 📡 #pktmon > netsh 🧪 Smart prep = zero friction 🎟️ psconf.eu #RemoteSupport #PSConfEU

- YouTube

full uninstall of Anydesk from macOS

https://nicolalosito.it/2026/01/13/full-uninstall-of-anydesk-from-macos/

Celebrating the 23th anniversary of our project:
- https://forum.uvnc.com/viewtopic.php?t=38130

#UltraVNC / #VNC / #VirtualNetworkComputing / #RFB / #RemoteFrameBuffer / #RemoteDesktopSoftware / #RemoteDesktop / #RemoteAccess / #RemoteAssistance / #RemoteSupport / #RemotePC / #RemoteSoftware / #RemoteComputer

UltraVNC links (join us on social networks):
- Website: https://uvnc.com/
- Bluesky/AT Protocol: https://bsky.app/profile/ultravnc.bsky.social
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ultravnc1
- X/Twitter: https://x.com/ultravnc1
- ...

Celebrating the 23th anniversary of our project:
- https://forum.uvnc.com/viewtopic.php?t=38130

#UltraVNC / #VNC / #VirtualNetworkComputing / #RFB / #RemoteFrameBuffer / #RemoteDesktopSoftware / #RemoteDesktop / #RemoteAccess / #RemoteAssistance / #RemoteSupport / #RemotePC / #RemoteSoftware / #RemoteComputer

UltraVNC links (join us on social networks):
- Website: https://uvnc.com/
- Bluesky/AT Protocol: https://bsky.app/profile/ultravnc.bsky.social
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ultravnc1
- X/Twitter: https://x.com/ultravnc1
- ...

This week I fixed a laptop for a client. It was the second time this client has had me do work for her. The first invoice was in 2016.

2016. It’s been nine years. Her husband isn’t in IT, but he’s a tech-savvy person, so he provides most of her tech support. But when he couldn’t resolve the issue, she still remembered me and came back to me for service in 2025.

That’s customer loyalty. Treat them right. They remember. They’ll come back.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#HelpDesk #TechSupport #RemoteSupport #OnSite

This week I fixed a laptop for a client. It was the second time this client has had me do work for her. The first invoice was in 2016.

2016. It’s been nine years. Her husband isn’t in IT, but he’s a tech-savvy person, so he provides most of her tech support. But when he couldn’t resolve the issue, she still remembered me and came back to me for service in 2025.

That’s customer loyalty. Treat them right. They remember. They’ll come back.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#HelpDesk #TechSupport #RemoteSupport #OnSite

“Bob, do I need a new iPad?”
The client complained that the iPad was slow. Pretty vague, but that’s okay. The client isn’t expected to know that there can be a lot of reasons for slowness.

FIRST: What does “slow” mean?
1) “Slow” can mean the device itself is slow, for any one of several reasons. Usually it’s background tasks that are running and using up CPU clock cycles. But it can also be insufficient RAM, or even more rare conditions like internal or external RF interference affecting the CPU, or a failing component.
2) “Slow” can mean the Internet connection is slow. This can be caused by inadequate Wi-Fi signal, external RF interference affecting the 1st RF amplifier, or a problem with the ISP that could be just down the street or miles away.
3) “Slow” can mean the web server the iPad is connected to is having performance issues.

SECOND: Narrow it down.
1) To see if the device itself is slow, try opening and using an app that doesn’t require an Internet connection at all. A good choice is to open Photos. Run a slideshow. Try local editing (not online, but something on the device like cropping or resizing). Play a local MP3, or start a local video. Not streaming. Be sure it’s on the device. If operation is normal, the device is fine.
2) To see if the Internet connection is slow, run a speed test. If the speed is good, it’s definitely not the ISP. But, be careful! If the speed is bad, it doesn’t prove the ISP is the problem. It could be a weak signal, interference, a bad antenna in the device... lots of reasons for slow Internet that are separate from the ISP. In the example picture, we can see that the ISP is not the problem. This Internet connection is rated at 500 down, 35 up, so the speeds are within normal range.
If the ISP is good, but the Internet connection is slow, rule out a weak signal by moving closer to the wireless access point. Rule out interference by testing from a different location: maybe a neighbor’s house, or a coffee shop. Also, if the speed test is bad, check the speed with some other devices. If the speed is only slow on the complainant’s device, it may be an internal problem.
3) To see if the web server is slow, first, ask the device owner: “Were you experiencing slowness while connected to a particular site?” Maybe they’re having a problem with a slow game, or with online shopping. Start by opening a connection to the web server and try it out. If it is indeed slow, try OTHER web servers. Maybe stream a video, or try a game by a different company, hosted on a different server. If the slowness is caused by a particular server, you’ll have clear evidence now.

THIRD: Should I buy a new iPad?
If the device is slow (test #1), you may want to get a new device.
If the ISP is good and the signal is good on other devices, you may want to get a new device.
If the web server is slow, there’s no reason to get a new device.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#HelpDesk #TechSupport #RemoteSupport

“Bob, do I need a new iPad?”
The client complained that the iPad was slow. Pretty vague, but that’s okay. The client isn’t expected to know that there can be a lot of reasons for slowness.

FIRST: What does “slow” mean?
1) “Slow” can mean the device itself is slow, for any one of several reasons. Usually it’s background tasks that are running and using up CPU clock cycles. But it can also be insufficient RAM, or even more rare conditions like internal or external RF interference affecting the CPU, or a failing component.
2) “Slow” can mean the Internet connection is slow. This can be caused by inadequate Wi-Fi signal, external RF interference affecting the 1st RF amplifier, or a problem with the ISP that could be just down the street or miles away.
3) “Slow” can mean the web server the iPad is connected to is having performance issues.

SECOND: Narrow it down.
1) To see if the device itself is slow, try opening and using an app that doesn’t require an Internet connection at all. A good choice is to open Photos. Run a slideshow. Try local editing (not online, but something on the device like cropping or resizing). Play a local MP3, or start a local video. Not streaming. Be sure it’s on the device. If operation is normal, the device is fine.
2) To see if the Internet connection is slow, run a speed test. If the speed is good, it’s definitely not the ISP. But, be careful! If the speed is bad, it doesn’t prove the ISP is the problem. It could be a weak signal, interference, a bad antenna in the device... lots of reasons for slow Internet that are separate from the ISP. In the example picture, we can see that the ISP is not the problem. This Internet connection is rated at 500 down, 35 up, so the speeds are within normal range.
If the ISP is good, but the Internet connection is slow, rule out a weak signal by moving closer to the wireless access point. Rule out interference by testing from a different location: maybe a neighbor’s house, or a coffee shop. Also, if the speed test is bad, check the speed with some other devices. If the speed is only slow on the complainant’s device, it may be an internal problem.
3) To see if the web server is slow, first, ask the device owner: “Were you experiencing slowness while connected to a particular site?” Maybe they’re having a problem with a slow game, or with online shopping. Start by opening a connection to the web server and try it out. If it is indeed slow, try OTHER web servers. Maybe stream a video, or try a game by a different company, hosted on a different server. If the slowness is caused by a particular server, you’ll have clear evidence now.

THIRD: Should I buy a new iPad?
If the device is slow (test #1), you may want to get a new device.
If the ISP is good and the signal is good on other devices, you may want to get a new device.
If the web server is slow, there’s no reason to get a new device.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#HelpDesk #TechSupport #RemoteSupport

Sicher helfen: RustDesk im Selbsthosting-Betrieb

https://www.georglutz.de/blog/2025/10/04/sicher-helfen-rustdesk-im-selbsthosting-betrieb/

#rustdesk #remoteaccess #remotesupport #selfhosting

Sicher helfen: RustDesk im Selbsthosting-Betrieb

https://www.georglutz.de/blog/2025/10/04/sicher-helfen-rustdesk-im-selbsthosting-betrieb/

#rustdesk #remoteaccess #remotesupport #selfhosting

Was wondering whether to install #Rustdesk on the #Android phone of a relative, for easier remote support.
Anyone here having good or bad experiences with that software? Does it work well, also for nontechnical users? Is it acceptable with regards to privacy?

#support #remoteSupport

🖥️ “Big Brother is Watching!” by Bartek Bielawski taught how to troubleshoot client machines remotely using #PowerShell without disrupting users: 🧰 #Sysinternals (Handle, Procmon, RAMMap) 📡 #pktmon > netsh 🧪 Smart prep = zero friction 🎟️ psconf.eu #RemoteSupport #PSConfEU

- YouTube

Sometimes in-person, on site work is better than doing remote maintenance. Story time...

The owner’s laptop was telling him it needed updates, and he’s not comfortable doing them on mission-critical software. I get it. I hadn’t been on site there in months, so I made arrangements to do the work in person rather than remotely. Last Thursday I was in his office, and I’m glad I was.

His laptop was ponderously slow on boot-up. I set up that machine a little over a year ago. It’s Windows 11 Pro, modern CPU, lots of RAM. It should be nimble. I called him back into his office and showed him that some of his programs wouldn’t work correctly until after he saw the “black flash” on the screen, which is a custom startup script.

While we’re watching the boot process, he said, “Can you stop Teams from opening every time I turn on the computer?” I said, “Sure.” Other things were opening, too, so I asked, “Is there anything else opening on startup that you don’t use or want?” He answered, “All of them. Nothing needs to open until I want it.”

He went on. “Even my browser opens on startup. I don’t know why.” I said, “Okay, you can go do other things for a while, and I’ll get these programs to stop.”

It turned out that the browser that was opening on startup was one I’ve never heard of, called Shift. Scam Detector rates Shift 42.2 out of a possible 100 points, and labels it “Controversial. Risky. Red Flags.” It looked a lot like any standard browser, but it opened on startup even after I removed its entry from the Startup folder. Also, the name of the entry in the startup folder was “ui,” not Shift. An obfuscated name is sketchy. To make it stop opening on startup I had to open the program and go to its preferences menu.

All of this made me want to check with the owner. I asked, “Is there a reason you started using the Shift browser?” He looked puzzled and said, “What’s that?” I showed him, and he thought it was just the latest tweaks to Microsoft Edge. He didn’t know how it got there. With his permission I uninstalled it. Between removing several startup apps and uninstalling a browser with suspicious behavior, his computer is back to full speed again.

THE LESSON
On site tech support is an important service offering. Most remote maintenance software doesn’t let you see the boot process, unless you’re working for a company large enough to have something like Dell’s iDRAC solution. Small businesses typically don’t have that. The advantages to on site support include:
1. Seeing things you wouldn’t otherwise notice, like boot processes.
2. Observing user behavior, which influences a lot of problems.
3. Solid relationship building, creating real trust.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#TechSupport #RemoteSupport #HelpDesk #OnSiteSupport

Sometimes in-person, on site work is better than doing remote maintenance. Story time...

The owner’s laptop was telling him it needed updates, and he’s not comfortable doing them on mission-critical software. I get it. I hadn’t been on site there in months, so I made arrangements to do the work in person rather than remotely. Last Thursday I was in his office, and I’m glad I was.

His laptop was ponderously slow on boot-up. I set up that machine a little over a year ago. It’s Windows 11 Pro, modern CPU, lots of RAM. It should be nimble. I called him back into his office and showed him that some of his programs wouldn’t work correctly until after he saw the “black flash” on the screen, which is a custom startup script.

While we’re watching the boot process, he said, “Can you stop Teams from opening every time I turn on the computer?” I said, “Sure.” Other things were opening, too, so I asked, “Is there anything else opening on startup that you don’t use or want?” He answered, “All of them. Nothing needs to open until I want it.”

He went on. “Even my browser opens on startup. I don’t know why.” I said, “Okay, you can go do other things for a while, and I’ll get these programs to stop.”

It turned out that the browser that was opening on startup was one I’ve never heard of, called Shift. Scam Detector rates Shift 42.2 out of a possible 100 points, and labels it “Controversial. Risky. Red Flags.” It looked a lot like any standard browser, but it opened on startup even after I removed its entry from the Startup folder. Also, the name of the entry in the startup folder was “ui,” not Shift. An obfuscated name is sketchy. To make it stop opening on startup I had to open the program and go to its preferences menu.

All of this made me want to check with the owner. I asked, “Is there a reason you started using the Shift browser?” He looked puzzled and said, “What’s that?” I showed him, and he thought it was just the latest tweaks to Microsoft Edge. He didn’t know how it got there. With his permission I uninstalled it. Between removing several startup apps and uninstalling a browser with suspicious behavior, his computer is back to full speed again.

THE LESSON
On site tech support is an important service offering. Most remote maintenance software doesn’t let you see the boot process, unless you’re working for a company large enough to have something like Dell’s iDRAC solution. Small businesses typically don’t have that. The advantages to on site support include:
1. Seeing things you wouldn’t otherwise notice, like boot processes.
2. Observing user behavior, which influences a lot of problems.
3. Solid relationship building, creating real trust.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#TechSupport #RemoteSupport #HelpDesk #OnSiteSupport

🖥️ “Big Brother is Watching!” by Bartek Bielawski taught how to troubleshoot client machines remotely using #PowerShell without disrupting users: 🧰 #Sysinternals (Handle, Procmon, RAMMap) 📡 #pktmon > netsh 🧪 Smart prep = zero friction 🎟️ psconf.eu #RemoteSupport #PSConfEU

- YouTube

#TeamViewer 15.67.5 has been released (#RemoteDesktop / #RemoteAccess / #RemoteAssistance / #RemoteSupport / #RemotePC / #RemoteSoftware / #RemoteComputer) https://teamviewer.com/

#TeamViewer 15.67.5 has been released (#RemoteDesktop / #RemoteAccess / #RemoteAssistance / #RemoteSupport / #RemotePC / #RemoteSoftware / #RemoteComputer) https://teamviewer.com/

#TeamViewer 15.67.5 has been released (#RemoteDesktop / #RemoteAccess / #RemoteAssistance / #RemoteSupport / #RemotePC / #RemoteSoftware / #RemoteComputer) https://teamviewer.com/

#AnyDesk 9.5.9 has been released (#RemoteDesktop / #RemoteAccess / #RemoteAssistance / #RemoteSupport / #RemotePC / #RemoteSoftware / #RemoteComputer) https://anydesk.com/

#AnyDesk 9.5.9 has been released (#RemoteDesktop / #RemoteAccess / #RemoteAssistance / #RemoteSupport / #RemotePC / #RemoteSoftware / #RemoteComputer) https://anydesk.com/

#AnyDesk 9.5.9 has been released (#RemoteDesktop / #RemoteAccess / #RemoteAssistance / #RemoteSupport / #RemotePC / #RemoteSoftware / #RemoteComputer) https://anydesk.com/

#News: #TimeToUpdate
👁️
#UltraVNC 1.6.4.0 and #UltraVNCSC 1.6.4.0 Released (#VNC #VirtualNetworkComputing #RFB #RemoteFrameBuffer #RemoteDesktop #RemoteDesktopSoftware #RemoteAccess #RemoteAssistance #RemoteComputer #RemotePC #RemoteSoftware #RemoteSupport #HelpDesk) https://forum.uvnc.com/viewtopic.php?t=38095

#News: #TimeToUpdate
👁️
#UltraVNC 1.6.4.0 and #UltraVNCSC 1.6.4.0 Released (#VNC #VirtualNetworkComputing #RFB #RemoteFrameBuffer #RemoteDesktop #RemoteDesktopSoftware #RemoteAccess #RemoteAssistance #RemoteComputer #RemotePC #RemoteSoftware #RemoteSupport #HelpDesk) https://forum.uvnc.com/viewtopic.php?t=38095

#News: #TimeToUpdate
👁️
#UltraVNC 1.6.4.0 and #UltraVNCSC 1.6.4.0 Released (#VNC #VirtualNetworkComputing #RFB #RemoteFrameBuffer #RemoteDesktop #RemoteDesktopSoftware #RemoteAccess #RemoteAssistance #RemoteComputer #RemotePC #RemoteSoftware #RemoteSupport #HelpDesk) https://forum.uvnc.com/viewtopic.php?t=38095

Recently I did a remote tech support call with someone in Seychelles, south of the equator in the Indian Ocean. Not long after that, I did a remote tech support call with someone in Brunei, in the South China Sea. Now I’m wondering if there’s a niche market for English-speaking tech support in some of the world’s faraway places.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#TechSupport #RemoteSupport #HelpDesk

Recently I did a remote tech support call with someone in Seychelles, south of the equator in the Indian Ocean. Not long after that, I did a remote tech support call with someone in Brunei, in the South China Sea. Now I’m wondering if there’s a niche market for English-speaking tech support in some of the world’s faraway places.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#TechSupport #RemoteSupport #HelpDesk

Remote MCP Support in Claude Code

https://www.anthropic.com/news/claude-code-remote-mcp?campaignId=13926158&source=i_email&medium=email&content=Oct2024AnalysisTool&messageTypeId=140367

#HackerNews #RemoteSupport #ClaudeCode #MCPSupport #Anthropic #NewsTech

Remote MCP Support in Claude Code

https://www.anthropic.com/news/claude-code-remote-mcp?campaignId=13926158&source=i_email&medium=email&content=Oct2024AnalysisTool&messageTypeId=140367

#HackerNews #RemoteSupport #ClaudeCode #MCPSupport #Anthropic #NewsTech

Today a repeat client contacted me via text messaging (RCS). It was in the last half of a Friday afternoon. I was sitting at my desk doing paperwork. I texted back, “I can help you right now, if that works for you.” Their reply was, “Now would be great.” I called them, then connected remotely to their MacBook Air, and took care of the issue. And a little before 5pm, I emailed them the invoice.

The paperwork can wait. Speed matters.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#TechSupport #RemoteSupport #HelpDesk

Today a repeat client contacted me via text messaging (RCS). It was in the last half of a Friday afternoon. I was sitting at my desk doing paperwork. I texted back, “I can help you right now, if that works for you.” Their reply was, “Now would be great.” I called them, then connected remotely to their MacBook Air, and took care of the issue. And a little before 5pm, I emailed them the invoice.

The paperwork can wait. Speed matters.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#TechSupport #RemoteSupport #HelpDesk

“If you have turned on two-step verification and cannot access any of the alternate methods to get a verification, we cannot help you, sorry.” (Source: support(.)microsoft(.)com)

Yesterday I tried to assist a client with Microsoft account recovery. This client had enabled 2FA/MFA on the account using the Microsoft Authenticator app. Then, the phone with the Authenticator app broke.

There was no alternate 2-factor authentication enabled. No alternate email, no option for SMS (text messaging) verification, no Yubikey. When the client initially set up 2FA with the Authenticator app, they were offered the option to save recovery codes, but didn’t write them down.

The client is highly educated. If you blame the client, I will block you, because you’re a jerk.

Microsoft, and other companies, need to do a much better job of ensuring workable account recovery options are not just available, but actually enabled.

This is a paid annual account. By default, Microsoft works hard at making sure at sign-up that you enable auto-renewal. Do you see the problem? The client can’t access the account, and will have to cancel the credit card to avoid continued payments.

THE LESSON
It’s up to you to make sure you have alternate account recovery mechanisms in place. The cloud service companies will not help you. They are not your friend. They don’t even make it easy to contact them to discuss account problems.

If you’re not comfortable setting up secondary account recovery options, I can help. Do it now, before your phone breaks.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#AccountRecovery #TechSupport #RemoteSupport

“If you have turned on two-step verification and cannot access any of the alternate methods to get a verification, we cannot help you, sorry.” (Source: support(.)microsoft(.)com)

Yesterday I tried to assist a client with Microsoft account recovery. This client had enabled 2FA/MFA on the account using the Microsoft Authenticator app. Then, the phone with the Authenticator app broke.

There was no alternate 2-factor authentication enabled. No alternate email, no option for SMS (text messaging) verification, no Yubikey. When the client initially set up 2FA with the Authenticator app, they were offered the option to save recovery codes, but didn’t write them down.

The client is highly educated. If you blame the client, I will block you, because you’re a jerk.

Microsoft, and other companies, need to do a much better job of ensuring workable account recovery options are not just available, but actually enabled.

This is a paid annual account. By default, Microsoft works hard at making sure at sign-up that you enable auto-renewal. Do you see the problem? The client can’t access the account, and will have to cancel the credit card to avoid continued payments.

THE LESSON
It’s up to you to make sure you have alternate account recovery mechanisms in place. The cloud service companies will not help you. They are not your friend. They don’t even make it easy to contact them to discuss account problems.

If you’re not comfortable setting up secondary account recovery options, I can help. Do it now, before your phone breaks.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#AccountRecovery #TechSupport #RemoteSupport

“If you have turned on two-step verification and cannot access any of the alternate methods to get a verification, we cannot help you, sorry.” (Source: support(.)microsoft(.)com)

Yesterday I tried to assist a client with Microsoft account recovery. This client had enabled 2FA/MFA on the account using the Microsoft Authenticator app. Then, the phone with the Authenticator app broke.

There was no alternate 2-factor authentication enabled. No alternate email, no option for SMS (text messaging) verification, no Yubikey. When the client initially set up 2FA with the Authenticator app, they were offered the option to save recovery codes, but didn’t write them down.

The client is highly educated. If you blame the client, I will block you, because you’re a jerk.

Microsoft, and other companies, need to do a much better job of ensuring workable account recovery options are not just available, but actually enabled.

This is a paid annual account. By default, Microsoft works hard at making sure at sign-up that you enable auto-renewal. Do you see the problem? The client can’t access the account, and will have to cancel the credit card to avoid continued payments.

THE LESSON
It’s up to you to make sure you have alternate account recovery mechanisms in place. The cloud service companies will not help you. They are not your friend. They don’t even make it easy to contact them to discuss account problems.

If you’re not comfortable setting up secondary account recovery options, I can help. Do it now, before your phone breaks.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#AccountRecovery #TechSupport #RemoteSupport

“If you have turned on two-step verification and cannot access any of the alternate methods to get a verification, we cannot help you, sorry.” (Source: support(.)microsoft(.)com)

Yesterday I tried to assist a client with Microsoft account recovery. This client had enabled 2FA/MFA on the account using the Microsoft Authenticator app. Then, the phone with the Authenticator app broke.

There was no alternate 2-factor authentication enabled. No alternate email, no option for SMS (text messaging) verification, no Yubikey. When the client initially set up 2FA with the Authenticator app, they were offered the option to save recovery codes, but didn’t write them down.

The client is highly educated. If you blame the client, I will block you, because you’re a jerk.

Microsoft, and other companies, need to do a much better job of ensuring workable account recovery options are not just available, but actually enabled.

This is a paid annual account. By default, Microsoft works hard at making sure at sign-up that you enable auto-renewal. Do you see the problem? The client can’t access the account, and will have to cancel the credit card to avoid continued payments.

THE LESSON
It’s up to you to make sure you have alternate account recovery mechanisms in place. The cloud service companies will not help you. They are not your friend. They don’t even make it easy to contact them to discuss account problems.

If you’re not comfortable setting up secondary account recovery options, I can help. Do it now, before your phone breaks.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#AccountRecovery #TechSupport #RemoteSupport

“If you have turned on two-step verification and cannot access any of the alternate methods to get a verification, we cannot help you, sorry.” (Source: support(.)microsoft(.)com)

Yesterday I tried to assist a client with Microsoft account recovery. This client had enabled 2FA/MFA on the account using the Microsoft Authenticator app. Then, the phone with the Authenticator app broke.

There was no alternate 2-factor authentication enabled. No alternate email, no option for SMS (text messaging) verification, no Yubikey. When the client initially set up 2FA with the Authenticator app, they were offered the option to save recovery codes, but didn’t write them down.

The client is highly educated. If you blame the client, I will block you, because you’re a jerk.

Microsoft, and other companies, need to do a much better job of ensuring workable account recovery options are not just available, but actually enabled.

This is a paid annual account. By default, Microsoft works hard at making sure at sign-up that you enable auto-renewal. Do you see the problem? The client can’t access the account, and will have to cancel the credit card to avoid continued payments.

THE LESSON
It’s up to you to make sure you have alternate account recovery mechanisms in place. The cloud service companies will not help you. They are not your friend. They don’t even make it easy to contact them to discuss account problems.

If you’re not comfortable setting up secondary account recovery options, I can help. Do it now, before your phone breaks.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#AccountRecovery #TechSupport #RemoteSupport

There is a #UltraVNC 1.6.3.0-dev to test, please do feedbacks on the forum or on #GitHub (#VNC #VirtualNetworkComputing #RFB #RemoteFrameBuffer #RemoteDesktop #RemoteAccess #RemoteSupport #RemotePC #RemoteSoftware #RemoteComputer)
https://forum.uvnc.com/viewtopic.php?t=38091

There is a #UltraVNC 1.6.2.0-dev to test, please do feedbacks on the forum or on #GitHub (#VNC #VirtualNetworkComputing #RFB #RemoteFrameBuffer #RemoteDesktop #RemoteAccess #RemoteSupport #RemotePC #RemoteSoftware #RemoteComputer)
https://forum.uvnc.com/viewtopic.php?t=38083

“It’s spooky to watch your computer doing things when you’re not touching it. It’s hard to let someone have remote control of your computer.”

I was talking to a client in Colorado yesterday. He was recalling the first time he let me work on his computer remotely from my office here in Seattle.

It does take a certain amount of trust. And right now, I’ll be the one to warn you not to let a complete stranger on the Internet have remote access to your computer! Word-of-mouth advertising and referrals mean a lot.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#HelpDesk #TechSupport #RemoteSupport

“It’s spooky to watch your computer doing things when you’re not touching it. It’s hard to let someone have remote control of your computer.”

I was talking to a client in Colorado yesterday. He was recalling the first time he let me work on his computer remotely from my office here in Seattle.

It does take a certain amount of trust. And right now, I’ll be the one to warn you not to let a complete stranger on the Internet have remote access to your computer! Word-of-mouth advertising and referrals mean a lot.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#HelpDesk #TechSupport #RemoteSupport

This morning I did a tech support phone call with an existing client. Based on her area code, I think she’s in California, but I don’t actually know that for sure. It’s kind of humorous! With credit card billing, I have to enter the billing zip code, but I don’t bother looking them up. The location just doesn’t really matter.

Anyway, back to the call. She visited a website for an animal rescue organization. Seems safe enough, right? She ended up with an uncontrollable, noisy pop-up that said her computer was infected. “Don’t turn your computer off!” it said, and it wouldn’t stop beeping.

She did the right thing. She turned her computer off! I’m so proud of her.

At some point, she turned her computer back on, and everything seemed normal. She called me to see if there was anything else to do. An extremely computer literate person in her life had recommended that she do a factory reset on her computer, but she was hoping she wouldn’t have to do that much work.

This is where risk assessment comes in.

I told my client that her advisor was not wrong at all. That was absolutely the safest and best advice.

But, usually those pop-ups are the baited hook, and not the malware. If my client had clicked on a link, or called the “support” phone number in the pop-up, the risk level goes up immediately. Instead, she did the one thing the cybercriminal told her not to do, because it defeats the infection attempt: she turned the computer off.

I offered to reset the browser, but warned her that doing so might delete some saved security settings, and she’d probably have to re-enter passwords on some of the sites she visits. I also told her that she could keep using the computer for a few days without any changes, and if the problem doesn’t reoccur, everything is probably fine.

Remember, the pop-up is the baited hook, not the malware.

For now, she chose to take no action. The call was ten minutes long. She offered to pay. I told her no, let’s call this one customer care. I told her that if she had agreed to have me to reset the browser or run a virus scan, and things like that, I would’ve charged her, but not for answering a few questions.

THE LESSON
The client is the person with the power. Explain options and risks. Let the client make the decision. It’s their equipment. It’s their life. It’s their money.

I could’ve taken advantage of the situation and said, “Oh, yes, your advisor is right! We must factory reset your computer! I’ll help you do that right now!” That’s how I would’ve made the most money today. Instead, I chose to keep a client for life. The money will come.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#HelpDesk #TechSupport #RemoteSupport

This morning I did a tech support phone call with an existing client. Based on her area code, I think she’s in California, but I don’t actually know that for sure. It’s kind of humorous! With credit card billing, I have to enter the billing zip code, but I don’t bother looking them up. The location just doesn’t really matter.

Anyway, back to the call. She visited a website for an animal rescue organization. Seems safe enough, right? She ended up with an uncontrollable, noisy pop-up that said her computer was infected. “Don’t turn your computer off!” it said, and it wouldn’t stop beeping.

She did the right thing. She turned her computer off! I’m so proud of her.

At some point, she turned her computer back on, and everything seemed normal. She called me to see if there was anything else to do. An extremely computer literate person in her life had recommended that she do a factory reset on her computer, but she was hoping she wouldn’t have to do that much work.

This is where risk assessment comes in.

I told my client that her advisor was not wrong at all. That was absolutely the safest and best advice.

But, usually those pop-ups are the baited hook, and not the malware. If my client had clicked on a link, or called the “support” phone number in the pop-up, the risk level goes up immediately. Instead, she did the one thing the cybercriminal told her not to do, because it defeats the infection attempt: she turned the computer off.

I offered to reset the browser, but warned her that doing so might delete some saved security settings, and she’d probably have to re-enter passwords on some of the sites she visits. I also told her that she could keep using the computer for a few days without any changes, and if the problem doesn’t reoccur, everything is probably fine.

Remember, the pop-up is the baited hook, not the malware.

For now, she chose to take no action. The call was ten minutes long. She offered to pay. I told her no, let’s call this one customer care. I told her that if she had agreed to have me to reset the browser or run a virus scan, and things like that, I would’ve charged her, but not for answering a few questions.

THE LESSON
The client is the person with the power. Explain options and risks. Let the client make the decision. It’s their equipment. It’s their life. It’s their money.

I could’ve taken advantage of the situation and said, “Oh, yes, your advisor is right! We must factory reset your computer! I’ll help you do that right now!” That’s how I would’ve made the most money today. Instead, I chose to keep a client for life. The money will come.

#CallMeIfYouNeedMe #FIFONetworks

#HelpDesk #TechSupport #RemoteSupport

#DayOfTheVictory
👁️
#UltraVNC 1.6.1.0 and #UltraVNCSC 1.6.1.0 Released (#VNC #VirtualNetworkComputing #RFB #RemoteFrameBuffer #RemoteDesktop #RemoteDesktopSoftware #RemoteAccess #RemoteAssistance #RemoteComputer #RemotePC #RemoteSoftware #RemoteSupport #HelpDesk) https://forum.uvnc.com/viewtopic.php?t=38080

#DayOfTheVictory
👁️
#UltraVNC 1.6.1.0 and #UltraVNCSC 1.6.1.0 Released (#VNC #VirtualNetworkComputing #RFB #RemoteFrameBuffer #RemoteDesktop #RemoteDesktopSoftware #RemoteAccess #RemoteAssistance #RemoteComputer #RemotePC #RemoteSoftware #RemoteSupport #HelpDesk) https://forum.uvnc.com/viewtopic.php?t=38080