OT - elder parent-proofing a computer
JC Dill <[email protected]> Sun, 27 May 2012 00:04:49 -0700
| Newsgroups | gmane.org.operators.internet-access |
|---|---|
| Message-ID | <[email protected]> |
I've tried other resources, and come up empty. This is OT for inet-access, but since the list is so low volume I hope you guys will forgive me. My dad is getting me worried with his computing habits. He's in his late 70s, lonely, widowed, and trying to find companionship on the internet. Match.com? Fine. OKCupid? Fine. Plenty of Fish? Fine. But he's gone off and joined several "international" dating sites. The type of site where you buy "credits" and then redeem your credits Per Email to send or receive. At $7 per email. This is SO obviously a scam. These beautiful 20-something Asian women are not hoping to meet a 70-something American man. But that's not the real problem. The real problem is that in visiting these websites he has, twice in one month, clicked "OK" and "next" etc. until they install a toolbar that changes his homepage, changes his default search engine, etc. And if these sites are making THOSE changes to his browser, what ELSE are they getting into on his computer? I'm seriously concerned that they could load something that then gets into his online access for his bank account, for his brokerage account, etc. He's on a MacBookPro. I got him to get a Mac because it would provide some protection from the plethora of viruses that are (primarily) aimed at Windows systems. Before he got the Mac he was always getting viruses on his Windows laptop. We had to wipe and reinstall the OS at least 3 times in the years prior to getting him on the Mac. He was problem free on the Mac for over 3 years (it's no longer under warranty), until 1 month ago. I have him using Firefox on the Mac. I can't find any way to lock Firefox so that he can't add any new Toolbars. The solution needs to be transparent to him - it can't mess with his regular computer use. (Although if it prevents him from accessing one of these sites because it won't let him proceed until the toolbar is installed, I'll accept THAT as a consequence.) Some form of noscript where the user needs to use careful consideration before allowing scripts won't work because he's lost the ability to make that type of careful consideration - he will just click "OK" or "next" in the same manner as he did to allow the toolbar install. If it's easier to lock-down a different browser, we could do that. But he's been using Firefox for about 10 years, so if we can stay with Firefox that would be easiest for him. (Having him already using Firefox and Thunderbird before I moved him to the Mac was how I was able to convince him that he could use a Mac just as easily as a Windows machine.) I also need a one-and-done solution, as I'm 1000 miles away and I can only login to his computer remotely via pre-arranged steps. (I have him disable the remote login option unless I call him and tell him to enable it before I login, then I have him disable it again as soon as I've finished.) Remember, the solution needs to work on a Mac. Thanks! jc -- Eat sushi frequently. - Avi [email protected] is the human contact address. [email protected] is the list posting address. See below URL for subscribe/unsubscribe and list options: http://inet-access.net/mailman/listinfo/list