First reactions to remote support can be pretty interesting. Some people are amazed by technicians being able to control the computer from afar, while others may be uncomfortable, afraid or even angry by the idea that it's possible. Much of the technology behind remote support was in place before most computer users had their first tap of the keyboard, but it's still understandable that remote support can be a bit overwhelming. To understand what's going on, take a look at how remote technical support works.

What Is Remote Support?

The remote in remote support means that the person accessing your computer isn't there. It doesn't just mean across the world or in another state; many technicians configure remote access so that they can access their own systems from one computer without having to walk down long hallways, into other buildings or to another work site.

Remote support carries signals across any network, but for you, the Internet is the path of choice. A remote support technician uses the Internet connection to request access to your computer in order to perform their tasks. Don't worry about random, unplanned access with this service; unless you give the technicians permission to work on your computer, they can't do anything.

It's possible for a virus to break into a system to allow remote access, but these aren't widespread incidents. You still have to give permission for the virus to make changes, as many virus intrusions sophisticated enough to open remote support are caused by the user not knowing enough about computers and simply hitting every OK button that appears.

There's no need to be paranoid, but you don't have to let down your guard either. Simply interview your remote support team of choice, understand their services and know the people behind the service before allowing access.

How Does Remote Support Work?

Remote support is a bit like an interactive movie. A video or stream of your computer is sent across the Internet to the remote technician in near real-time, allowing the technician to see what's going on with the computer as they work. Whenever the technical support technician moves the mouse, types on the keyboard or uses other relevant input devices, a signal is sent to your computer in the form of movement.

This means that all actions performed remotely on your computer are carried by the Internet. If your connection is too slow or disconnects, the technician won't be able to continue working on repairs. It's important to understand your Internet Service Provider's (ISP) speed offer, so consider asking the remote support team for suggestions on performance, speeds or even changing your ISP.

With the disconnecting information in mind, you can disconnect from the technician on your own by disconnecting from the Internet. This isn't recommended (and can be pretty annoying) when a legitimate technician is working on your system, but if you suspect hacking, unauthorized access or any other extremely harmful actions on your computer, feel free to disconnect from the Internet or disconnect your modem. Unplugging the computer's power isn't necessary and can damage your system, so don't do that.

For more information about remote support, contact a company like iTOK.