Best way to provide IT support to family?

Question

I have a number of older family members that require IT/tech assistance from time to time. I'd like to be able to remotely control their machines and was wondering what people were using.I'd prefer something that doesn't leave a permanent hole in their router and require them to configure port-forwarding (like VNC) if possible. GoToMyPC looks OK but expensive for how infrequently I would use it. Wireguard and RDP would be one option, but probably overkill. Any other suggestions?

cpach · Accepted Answer

My 2&cent;:If the device is running macOS: Share screen via the Messages app[﹡]. Yes, it&rsquo;s possible and it works well.If it&rsquo;s running Windows: Use Google Meet and start remote control from there.(Teamviewer is another convenient option, but I would trust the above options to be far more secure.)[﹡] https://support.apple.com/sv-se/guide/messages/icht11883/mac

7174n6 · Answer

If all they are doing is accessing web resources - email and Internet browsing - they need nothing but a Chromebook. Turn it on = Internet. They rarely get viruses or malware and are nearly impossible to corrupt. Turn it off and back on. Best of all, a really nice chromebook is in the $300 range.
And if you need to remote in you can do it through Chrome Remote Desktop.
Of course, you have get over Google trampling all over their privacy.

hackarama · Answer

If they're on Windows, the built-in Quick Assist tool (Ctrl + Windows Key + Q) is a simple way to connect without having them install any other remote access tool.

gregjor · Answer

Switch them to iPads. Worked for my parents. I never get support calls anymore.

mikebos · Answer

I use anydesk when I can't get them to switch to iPads. The free version has been good enough for quite some time now.https://anydesk.com/

xen2xen1 · Answer

Mesh central. Free, self hosted. Or Google Remote Desktop, which they've sworn for years they're shutting down.