Remote Device Troubleshooting Software

Tool for remotely viewing and controlling a customer's computer for troubleshooting/training purposes.

Also known as BeyondTrust Remote Support, formerly known as Bomgar. 

Related Services

Service Desk Support
Walk-In Center

The BeyondTrust Remote Support software tool enables remote viewing and operation of a customer’s computer and is primarily used by the CUIT Service Desk and other support groups at Columbia University for troubleshooting and for training purposes. BeyondTrust Remote Support allows the technician to take control of a customer’s computer remotely, allowing them to view exactly what is happening and expedite solutions.

BeyondTrust Installation Instructions

To install BeyondTrust on your computer, you must first arrange with CUIT to have an account ID. If you have not done this already, you can submit a ticket to the CUIT Service Desk.

Visit https://help.cuit.columbia.edu/login/my_account to download the software. Select Use SAML Authentication below the login button. You will be redirected to CUIT's CAS page where you should use your UNI and password to log in.

Login page with Use SAML Authentication link circled (located underneath blue Login button)

Once you have logged in, click on the drop down menu to choose your platform (Windows, Macintosh, Linux).

Click on the link that says Download BeyondTrust Representative Console. You will see a box asking you to save beyondtrust-rep-installer.exe. Click on the box and then click on Save File.

Locate the installer file and double click on it to launch the Console Setup. On the Welcome to the BeyondTrust Representative Console Setup Wizard screen, click Next.

Accept the Terms of Agreement and click Next.

Choose to install the application "Only for me" and click Next.

Choose the suggested Destination Folder and click Install.

Uncheck the "Run at Startup" box and click Finish.

Pricing

Pricing

If your customer is running macOS Catalina

Apple has moved towards a restrictive method that requires explicit permission to allow applications to capture the screen in macOS Catalina. Follow these steps to enable screen sharing with Apple's Catalina operating system:

For technicians
  1. Start a session through a public site or jump client.
  2. Begin screen sharing from the Rep Console or Access Console application.
  3. If you see a warning during the screen share - indicated in the orange area in the below screenshot, then have the end client/user follow the "For Customers" directions below.
BeyondTrust error Technicians will see if customer has Catalina
For customers
  1. Answer the macOS prompt by selecting Open System Preferences. Alternatively, you can manually navigate from Finder to System Preferences, then select Security & Privacy, then choose Screen Recording.
  2. Check the checkbox that corresponds to the BeyondTrust application.  
  3. Screen sharing should now start working immediately. BeyondTrust is now whitelisted so screen sharing will be allowed for future Remote Support and Privileged Remote Access sessions in Catalina.
Security & Privacy screen in Catalina

Apple has moved towards a restrictive method that requires explicit permission to allow applications to have access to certain file system paths in macOS Catalina, including Desktop, Download and Documents. If this access isn't granted by the customer, the technician will not be able to send or receive files to these location or to browse these locations with the command shell.

For customers: an example prompt

Select OK to allow the technician to continue assisting you.

permission dialog box in macOS Catalina

After you have accepted, you can expect to see the whitelisted BeyondTrust client in your Security & Privacy settings (Privacy tab). This is expected behavior and will allow technicians to be able to assist you in the future without having to go through these steps.

Example of whitelisted application in macOS Catalina security settings

FAQ

If the Bomgar console fails to launch, follow these instructions:

  1. Uninstall Bomgar from your computer. If you have a CUIT-managed computer and are asked for administrator rights, launch Make Me Admin and then enter your UNI and password for temporary admin access so you can complete the uninstallation.
  2. Navigate to https://help.cuit.columbia.edu/login/login and sign in as you normally would.
  3. Navigate to My Account and download the correct version of Bomgar that corresponds with your Windows or Mac operating system.
  4. Run the installer. If you have a CUIT-managed computer and your Make Me Admin rights have timed out, re-launch Make Me Admin and proceed with the installation. 
  5. To complete the installation, enter your username and password.

The BeyondTrust Representative Console can be installed on Windows and Macintosh computers, as well as iOS and Android operating systems. It can be used to troubleshoot Windows, Mac OSX, Linux, iPhones, iPads, Androids, and Blackberries.

You can find detailed information about the Representative Console on BeyondTrust's website.

BeyondTrust offers a full overview of the Representative Console. They also have a number of helpful tools to assist you in specific areas, including: