2024/08/14
The Security Golden Rules: What you need to know to stay safe
You’ve downloaded TeamViewer — now what? Get secure from the get-go with some security golden rules.
Hackers have managed to get your password: truly, a nightmare scenario. Well, it doesn’t have to be with two-factor authentication, which helps to stop them from getting into your account.
For your TeamViewer account, two-factor authentication provides an extra layer of protection to secure it from unauthorized access.
It does this by requesting a second bit of information (a security code), in addition to your email address and password, every time you sign in to your TeamViewer account.
The result? One significant obstacle for would-be hackers.
Read more: Two-factor authentication for your account
Set up Easy Access
Easy Access is TeamViewer’s password-free access functionality. With it, you can connect remotely to an unattended device — without compromising on security.
But why is it easy? Well, so long as you’re logged into your TeamViewer account, you can gain access without entering any ID or password.
But it’s still extremely secure because access is only possible when logged in to a TeamViewer account, which is protected by two-factor authentication.
Read more: How to set up Easy Access
Set up an allow list
By setting and monitoring your allow list, you’ll be able to make sure that only the people and devices that you select can connect to your device.
Say you never want anyone else to connect? Just add your own account to the Allow List. If you want to grant permission to lots of people, you can add them individually or even all members of a company profile.
And if there’s someone who only needs to connect once, you can just add them and then remove them afterwards.
Learn more: Blocklist and allowlist
Use strong, unique passwords
When setting up passwords, it's really important to follow best practices to keep your accounts secure. Here’s how to create a strong, unique password:
Make it unique
Your password should be different from any other passwords you use. Always avoid reusing the same password across different sites.
Make it difficult
Aim for at least 8 characters in a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. It shouldn’t look like a normal word.
Avoid common words
Steer clear of dictionary words or terms that are commonly used. This includes easily guessable phrases like "password" or "123456".
Use random words
A smart strategy is to combine three random words that are easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess. For example, "RedPantsTree4!" combines words with a number and special character, making it strong and memorable.
Avoid predictable patterns
Don't use adjacent keys on the keyboard (like "qwerty" or "1q2w3e4r") as these are dangerously easy to crack.
Consider a password manager
A password manager can generate and store complex passwords, helping you maintain security without having to remember each one.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to create passwords that are both strong and easy to remember, keeping your information secure.
Important: It makes sense to regularly review and change your passwords to make sure you always follow up-to-date best practices.
You should also disable passwords wherever possible. In TeamViewer, you can, for example, disable the random password in your security settings. We recommend disabling this setting if you’re the only person connecting to this device.
To do this, click Settings (⚙) ➜ Advanced settings ➜ Security ➜ Random password (for spontaneous access) ➜ Choose Disabled (no random password) ➜ Click OK.
Read more: Password safety is evolving; can your business keep up?
Update your devices and software
Keeping your software, apps, and operating systems updated is key to security, as outdated versions can have vulnerabilities that hackers exploit.
Why update?
Companies release updates to fix security flaws and enhance performance. By updating, you protect your devices from potential hacks.
Enable automatic updates
Turn on automatic updates for your devices and apps, so you always have the latest security patches without needing to remember.
TeamViewer auto-update
For TeamViewer users, enabling auto-update ensures access to the latest features and security improvements, supporting compatibility across versions.
This page shows you exactly how to do this.
Back up your data
I’ll never forget the time that I lost my final college project after breaking the external hard drive it was saved on. Since then, I’ve been vigilant about backing up everything I’m working on — and you should be, too.
By backing up regularly to another device or the cloud, you’ll always have a recent version of your information saved. This will help minimize the fallout if your data is lost or stolen.
If you’re backing up to a USB stick or an external hard drive, remember to disconnect it from your computer once the backup is done.
Another smart choice is to turn on automatic backup. This will regularly save your information into cloud storage, removing the hassle of trying to remember every time.
Summary
To keep your TeamViewer experience safe, it’s important to remember these key tips: Set up two-factor authentication for extra security, and use Easy Access for hassle-free, secure remote connections. Manage your allow list to control who can (and cannot) connect to your devices.
Added to this, you should only ever use strong, unique passwords and think about using a password manager. Keep your software updated to prevent vulnerabilities, and always — always — back up your data so you’re never caught off guard. Following these simple steps will help keep your information secure and give you peace of mind.
And who doesn’t want that?
Need more security tips?
You’ll find a wealth of information and solutions in our Support Forum and Knowledge Base.