Mystery of TeamViewer Hacks: Company introduces new security features

TeamViewer, the most popular remote desktop platform used to remotely use desktops, share them or have an online conference through presentation mode. The app for the software is available almost all the popular platforms, ranging from Windows, Windows Phone 8, Windows RT, Mac OS X, iOS,Linux, Android to the now defunct BlackBerry. As reported by Ars Technica few days back, there was a significant uprise in the number of TeamViewer users complaining of being hacked through social media. The number was surprisingly huge with no confirmation or announcement from TeamViewer regarding any security breach in the company or any hacked database of passwords. There has been no official comment except the company confirming that the number of users reported being hacked was significant. The threat stemming out from a hack without any internal breach of passwords or company is more significant than any hacks that are the result of a threat that has been detected. This has prompted the company to introduce newer security features that include “Data Integrity” which checks monitors the account of any unusual activity including new logins from newer locations. In case of any suspicious activity, the account is flagged for a mandatory password reset with instructions sent to the attached email account. The second feature is “Trusted Devices” where each new device that you login must be authenticated through an email sent to the address associated to the account at the time on first login. According to the company this is not a security breach and instead the case of reusing passwords for multiple online services and improper use and advices against the practice.