PRAGUE, Czech Republic: The Remote Assistance tool in the new avast! 7 makes it easier for users to help their friends without requiring a house call.
With Remote Assistance, an avast! user needing help with a technical issue can remotely connect their computer to a second avast! user, allowing the “helper-friend” to have direct control over the computer.
“We wanted to make it easier for avast! users to help each other,” said Vince Steckler, CEO of AVAST Software. “Our data shows that two thirds of new avast! users come because a friend recommended us – and this helping process continues after the initial installation.”
To start Remote Assistance, the person wanting help just opens the avast! user interface and clicks on the “Allow Remote Control” button. This generates a unique code which is sent to the avast! “helper-friend”, enabling the recipient to have remote access to the other computer. The session is routed through the AVAST servers, bypasses potentially blocking firewalls, and can be ended at any time by the initiating person. The only requirement is for both computers to be turned on and have active internet connections.
“People want to be able to get or give help, but they want to make sure they are not creating a security risk at the same time,” said Mr. Steckler. “This is why Remote Assistance can only be triggered by the person wanting help and each code is limited to a single session.”
avast! “helper-friends” are looking forward to using Remote Assistance instead of having to make personal visits or phone calls. “A visit is easier than trying to explain what’s on the screen,” said Stephen, the avast! fan who recently installed the 190 millionth registered copy of avast! antivirus on a friend’s computer. “If I had remote control of their machine, that would make things a lot better.