TeamViewer

What it is

TeamViewer is software for remote access, remote support and online collaboration. It was first released in 2005, and the company of the same name was set up the same year. It is based in Göppingen, near Stuttgart, and has been listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since September 2019. In December 2024 it announced the acquisition of 1E, a British specialist in digital employee experience software.

How it works

A user installs or runs the TeamViewer client and shares an ID and password, or a session link, with the person who will connect. The connection is routed through TeamViewer's servers, which allows it to work through firewalls and home routers without complex network configuration. The remote user sees the screen of the other device and can control mouse and keyboard, transfer files or open a chat. Connections are encrypted, and business versions add management, logging and security controls.

Why it stands out

TeamViewer made remote support simple enough for non-technical users. A relative or a company IT helpdesk could fix a problem on someone else's computer without either needing to understand networking. This ease of use made it one of the best-known names in remote access, and demand rose further during the shift to remote working in 2020. The company has since moved into industrial uses, such as connecting to machines and supporting technicians with augmented reality.

Where you meet it

TeamViewer is used by IT departments, managed service providers and software vendors for support, by companies for remote maintenance of machines and kiosks, and by private users helping family and friends. Like any remote access tool, it has also been misused by scammers, which is why users are advised never to grant access to unknown callers.