Co-browsing allows multiple computers to view the same webpage simultaneously without requiring additional software. It is useful for presentations and tech support, but can also be used by hackers to invade privacy. Screen sharing is similar but uses more energy and memory. Co-browsing is often used by IT teams and some websites to help customers buy products. It can bypass coding language restrictions but may pose a security risk.
Co-browsing is browser-based technology, or technology that works exclusively with Internet browsers, that allows two or more computers to view the same Internet page at the same time. This differs from screen-sharing programs that send large numbers of screenshots to emulate motion, because co-browsing actually synchronizes the computers to work together and display the same web pages. No co-browser software is required; computers just need to be plugged in. This is useful for tech support or presentations, but it can also be used by hackers to infiltrate computers and invade privacy.
When co-browsing is used, two or more computers will show the same websites at the same time. There are typically two types of co-browsing technologies: one that allows both users to control the Internet application, and others that assign one person as the controller while everyone else watches. This allows all attendees to see the same thing as the presenter or allows agents to take users to the correct website.
Screen sharing technology is similar to co-browser technology. Screen sharing works by assigning a person as the controller. When that person moves the mouse, opens an application, or does anything, the screen sharing program takes the screenshots and broadcasts them to the other computers. Co-browsers have the advantage of using less energy and memory. Screen sharing has an advantage in that it allows presenters or controllers to annotate or show more information than just that from the Internet.
Cobrowsing is often used for presentations or by information technology (IT) teams. For presentations, it allows presenters to show important information to everyone in the presentation without leaving some people behind. For IT, it allows the professional to see what the user is doing and correct any errors. Some websites that sell products use co-browser to help customers buy products.
Hackers can also use co-browsing to infiltrate computers. Most co-browsers don’t allow the sharing of personal information, such as credit card numbers, but others may not have such restrictions. Even if sensitive information is not shared, it still allows hackers to view everything the user is doing and is an invasion of privacy.
Some websites use complex scripts and coding languages that block the use of some programs. Co-browsers don’t normally experience this problem. As long as the user’s computer is able to view the script, the co-browser will be able to view and work with the coding language.
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