Well, it has happened. My relatives have figured out that I can repair computers remotely. A month ago I received a couple of spam emails from my Uncle Jerome. I sent him a tutorial that I created on how to rid one's computer of malware. The problem was that I had put the tutorial and files into a RAR file, which he was unable to open. When he called me to help him open the file I decided it would be easiest to remotely connect to his computer via TeamViewer and install 7-Zip so that he could open the RAR file and follow the tutorial on his own. However, only a day or two later, he went into the hospital unexpectedly because of his heart condition. As a way of helping out I connected to his computer and solved his malware and spyware issues for him. After he returned from the hospital he was very grateful for the free computer support. I figured that this was the end of it; a good deed done for my ailing uncle.
Well, a few days ago I received a call from my Aunt Sue who had talked to my uncle and my mom and learned that I could fix computer problems remotely. She had been badly infected by malware and was asking if I could repair her computer. To her wonderful credit she did say that she would pay me. The only problem we encountered was getting TeamViewer installed on her infected machine. The malware was redirecting all browser requests and stopping programs from installing/opening. Have you ever tried installing remote desktop software on an infected machine while talking a computer novice through the necessary instructions? This was not the most fun 45 minutes of my life. Eventually by going into Safe Mode and having her download and install the TeamViewer application before the malware loaded and took over the machine were we able to make progress. Once I was able to connect to her desktop all was well. I was able to easily remove the malware and optimize her computer, and she was so pleased that she sent me a bonus along with her payment. In the end this turned out really well in part because my Aunt Sue has the courtesy to not take undue advantage of her family members. Does anyone have any stories to the contrary where family members have requested/demanded free computer support? Or become angry when you can't solve a computer problem for them? Also, what techniques have you used to install remote desktop software on infected machines that are blocking functions of the computer? All comments welcome!
Well, a few days ago I received a call from my Aunt Sue who had talked to my uncle and my mom and learned that I could fix computer problems remotely. She had been badly infected by malware and was asking if I could repair her computer. To her wonderful credit she did say that she would pay me. The only problem we encountered was getting TeamViewer installed on her infected machine. The malware was redirecting all browser requests and stopping programs from installing/opening. Have you ever tried installing remote desktop software on an infected machine while talking a computer novice through the necessary instructions? This was not the most fun 45 minutes of my life. Eventually by going into Safe Mode and having her download and install the TeamViewer application before the malware loaded and took over the machine were we able to make progress. Once I was able to connect to her desktop all was well. I was able to easily remove the malware and optimize her computer, and she was so pleased that she sent me a bonus along with her payment. In the end this turned out really well in part because my Aunt Sue has the courtesy to not take undue advantage of her family members. Does anyone have any stories to the contrary where family members have requested/demanded free computer support? Or become angry when you can't solve a computer problem for them? Also, what techniques have you used to install remote desktop software on infected machines that are blocking functions of the computer? All comments welcome!