They ask to share the screen
A remote-help program, or a file they just told your parent to download.
For sons, daughters, and the ones we love
You cannot be in the room for every phone call.
Countervail is the protection you put on your mom or dad's computer. If a caller talks them into handing over the screen, Countervail closes that session, tells them to hang up, and our desk calls you.
What these calls do
They sound like the bank. Then they ask to see the computer.
They take over
A command window, a script, or a permission box, while your parent stays on the line.
They leave a way back in
A new account, remote access left on, or a connection to an address we already block.
While you are at work
Countervail steps in. You do not have to.
Remote-help programs
AnyDesk, TeamViewer, ScreenConnect, RustDesk, Splashtop, LogMeIn, Supremo, UltraViewer, Chrome Remote Desktop, and Quick Assist. Changing the file name does not hide it if the real name or signer is still inside.
A file they were just told to save
A program saved to Downloads or the Desktop in the last hour is stopped when it opens.
Command windows
A command window opened from the desktop, the start menu, search, or a browser is closed. We keep the command, up to 2,048 characters.
Scripts
Script programs are stopped. If one names a file, we keep that text with the report.
The permission box
The admin permission window is closed while a remote program is already open, so they are not talked into clicking yes.
Remote access left on
An incoming remote-desktop session is disconnected. If that feature is switched on, we switch it off.
A new account
An account created after we are installed is turned off.
Known bad addresses
Addresses on our blocklist are dropped before a connection is made.
What they see
A calm screen. Hang up. We will call you.
Your parent does not have to explain the computer to you afterward. The notice tells them to hang up. Our desk gets what was stopped, including the command and any script, and calls the number you left on the account.
Plain answers
What people in your spot ask first
Does my parent have to learn this?
No. You sign up. It runs on their computer. If it stops something, the screen tells them to hang up.
Will this catch every scam?
No. It covers the computer part of these calls. A demand for gift cards that never touches the computer is outside it. We would rather say that plainly.
What if they rename the remote program?
We also read the name and signer inside the file. A rebuilt program that no longer identifies itself, and is older than an hour, is not covered.
Do you read their files?
No. We keep the stop, the program name, the command, and a script if one ran. Not their documents. Not their email.
Who gets the call?
Your parent sees Countervail on the screen. We call the phone number you put on the account.