Re: OT - elder parent-proofing a computer

On 5/27/2012 3:04 AM, JC Dill wrote:
> 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
Setup an opendns account...then use the opendns agent so opendns can 
track him as his ip changes..then via the web interface you can start 
building a blacklist(as wlel as use the plethora of options already 
there).  It's transparent and no matter where that computer goes it will 
always "phone home"..:)
-- 
Eat sushi frequently. - Avi
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