Questions to ask before giving an IT provider access
Giving an IT provider remote access is like handing over a key. Most providers are honest. A short set of questions tells you quickly how careful they are.
Will you tell me, in writing, what you will do before you connect?
A good answer is a written scope you can read and approve. A weak answer is that they will see what they find once they are in.
Who will have access, and can I see who used it?
You should know which people can connect and be able to ask for a record of each session.
How is my approval recorded for each change?
Look for a dated record with your name on it. A phone call that nobody wrote down leaves you with nothing to point to later.
What happens to the access when the work ends?
Access should end when the job ends, or when you withdraw it. Ask how that happens, and how you will know.
Will you ever call me out of the blue about a problem with my computer?
No honest provider calls strangers to say their computer has a virus. If a caller says so, hang up.
What to do
- Ask for the scope in writing before any connection.
- Ask how long the access lasts and how it ends.
- Do not share a password or a code by phone.
- Hang up on a caller who says your computer has a problem.
When to get help
If you are not sure whether a provider or a caller is genuine, call us on (833) 613-8638 during sales hours, or ask for a callback. We will tell you what to check first.
Call (833) 613-8638 or ask for a callback. We answer new enquiries Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
Related reading
- What a managed IT agreement should include
- Is That Microsoft Security Warning Real?