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
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