Re: OT - elder parent-proofing a computer

I kept waiting for someone to toss out the idea that they are using in 
Schools here.

Every time the computer boots back up it does back to it's default setting. 
There are no changes allowed to the base system.  If they get a virus just 
reboot and it's gone.

I think they boot off of a server though.  And it's windows.

shrug
marlon

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Hyman" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 10, 2012 1:58 PM
Subject: Re: OT - elder parent-proofing a computer


> You might check out bsecure.com. It's aimed as an alternative to net
> nanny and I use it to protect my kids computers. It really works well.
>
> Regards...Michael
>
>
>
>
>
> On May 27, 2012, at 12:06 AM, JC Dill <[email protected]> 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
>> --
>> 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
> -- 
> 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 

-- 
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