How to protect parents online
Technologies / / December 19, 2019
1. Familiarize parents with the theory
Letting go of the elderly in the Internet, first explain what is waiting for them there. First and foremost, of course, describe the benefits of the World Wide Web: the ability to find information quickly, easily communicate with kinsfolk, view photos of seals and so on. To begin with the positive aspects of need that parents were not frightened and did not perceive the Internet as something totally hostile.
But then, after all, and be sure to tell us about the dangers that may lie in wait for them. Describe how to behave in the crooks social networks and on dating sites. Explain that no one should be on the Internet to provide personal and bank details, send money or talk in detail about his life.
Let your parents do not even try to make out paid subscriptions and do charity or online lotteries, unless, of course, their way of their pension. In general, the best way not to fall for the bait intruders - not to get involved, to ignore them and not to enter into contact with them.
And be always in touch with older relatives, left to themselves, can easily plunge into a story. Provide multiple communication channels. For example, a mobile phone, landline number and messenger. And if some rogue parents write in social networks on your behalf, they have, at least, will be able to call you and see if it is a setup.
2. Update your system
Make sure that the operating system on your parents computer system and software fresh. A personal example: the computer of my elderly uncle still installed Windows XP.
It brings a lot of problems - for example, Google Chrome can not be updated as new versions do not support XP, and incorrectly displays websites. Outdated Skype constantly experiencing problems with the video link. In addition, previous versions of the operating system more vulnerable to viruses and other misfortunes.
Therefore, parents install on the computer the latest operating system, and the newest browser, anti-virus and other software. Turn on automatic updates and explain to parents that it is absolutely normal and necessary process and there is nothing to be afraid of. Disconnect message on updates: to nothing once again confuse parents notifications in the spirit of "your antivirus updated."
3. Set the remote connection program
If you live far from your parents, you know how hard it is to fix their computer. Surely you are not just trying to understand what they have does not work, for confusing explanations in a telephone conversation. And even if in the end caught the essence of the problem, you still had to explain where to click to fix it. Here you just need a hell of patience and a lot of free time.
Therefore, immediately after you completed the installation and configuration of the parent computer, put on his program the remote control. Any - there are many free. I can recommend TeamViewer - because of its simplicity and popularity.
Adjust the TeamViewer client start with the system, and turn on "uncontrolled access." And then you will not have long to wait until the parents find and dictate data connection.
Now you will be able at any moment to connect to their computer: it can be done even from a smartphone.
Download TeamViewer for Windows, macOS and Linux →
Price: Free
Price: Free
4. Limit your user rights
Programs that are installed without your knowledgeSuch as utilities from Mail.ru or "Yandex. Browser ", - it is pure evil. More or less prosharenny user, of course, is easy to calculate that such intruders attempting to penetrate a system.
But older people who with a computer on the "you", the unmistakable flair and attention do not possess. It is not surprising that even the newly installed Windows acquires any muck in unskilled hands.
To solve this problem by creating a user account with limited rights, and which will benefit from your parents.
Open the "Settings» → «Accounts» → «The family and other users." Click "Add a user for this computer." If your parents have a Microsoft account, enter their email address and password. If not, click "I have no data to enter the man» → «Add a user without an account Microsoft». Select the type of account "Standard" - not the "Administrator".
Now, when the parents try, albeit unconsciously, to establish something nasty, it will ask them your password. Computers Linux MacOS, and, fortunately, spared from the scourge and have a useful habit to request the administrator password when you install new applications, so that a problem with them less.
5. Let the installer is only from the official store
Limitation of user rights, in principle, a good thing. But many programs are able to bypass it, setting in the user's own directory. So it makes sense to forbid downloading questionable applications in general.
Here's how. Open the "Settings» → «Applications» → «Applications and Opportunities" and see point "Choosing a location for the application." Set in the drop-down menu option 'Only from Microsoft Store ». All are now no nasty to your parents did not get through.
In macOS same default do not install apps not from the AppStore, so if you do not dig into the settings of the parent computer, nothing to worry about. If the system parameters have been modified, open the "System Settings" and go to "Security and security». Click the lock and enter a password. Then, under "Allow programs downloaded from the" check AppStore item and close the window.
6. Install Unchecky for Windows
Think that banning native install programs on their own computer, even with good intentions, too cruel? You can go for half measures and set Unchecky. The program checks which ticks are put into the installer downloaded applications. If there is any foreign notes like "Set Yandex elements" and like "little presents», Unchecky them automatically withdraw.
Upload Unchecky →
7. Install adblocker
Internet is full of advertisements, and sometimes it is terribly annoying. And explain to older parents that click on the banners with offers to win something or something to increase not a good idea, it is very difficult.
Therefore set ad blocker. For example, AdBlock Plus is fine. Then go to the extension settings in the browser and uncheck "Enable admissible advertising," to be sure that the enemy will not pass.
Download AdBlock Plus →
Price: 0
Developer: developer
Price: Free
Price: Free
8. Install Web of Trust
As you can guess which sites are trustworthy and which are not? More or less experienced user is able to distinguish a potentially malicious site from a decent: in these usually makeshift interface crowded bunch of advertising and other muck, in the texts full of mistakes and all these horrible huge button "Download without SMS ". But older people just love to press them.
Therefore, install a special browser extension called Web of Trust. It is able to detect malicious sites and warn you when you open one of them. Simple, but pretty effective remedy browser protection.
Explain to parents that should go only to sites that are marked with a green icon. If it is yellow or even red - let forget about this resource and do not open it more than ever.
Download Web of Trust →
Price: 0
Developer: developer
Price: Free
Price: Free
9. Install antivirus software
Integrated anti-virus Windows is not bad, if you share your computer with care - do not stick stick suspicious, do not go to questionable sites, and so on. If your parents are not as picky, consider installing them better protection.
We have selection quality free antivirus software - choose any. Most importantly, turn off after installing the update notification to anti-virus is not embarrassed by native imitation intense activity. And set the alarm setting to a minimum - then protection program will disturb your parents, but if they really discovered something malevolent.
Be sure to explain what a virus and how to react to it. Otherwise, parents will again and again to open a malicious Web site or file, anti-virus will display a notification. And so the circle.
In addition, many popular anti-virus packages are equipped with a built-in "Parental Control". This is a good way to protect not only young children but also the elderly. For example, you can block porn sites or deny the installation of games. The main thing is not to go too, so that parents have not gone crazy with overprotection.
10. Explain how to create passwords
Teach parents to use normal passwords. It is desirable that they have mastered password managerAnd then they will have to remember only one combination, but it is much easier for the elderly.
Even if the relatives prefer the old-fashioned writing down passwords in a notebook, make sure that they are quite long and complex. And communicated to the parents a simple truth: no one can be the combinations report. That's not at all.
11. Adjust creating backups
No matter how much you did not try to turn your PC into a fortress parents, sooner or later they manage to damage the system. Therefore, for the sake of their own mental health including the creation of backups.
There is a fair amount of programs for backup. Take any. And create two types of backups - up files (photos, documents and other information that is dear to the heart) and a copy of the OS. And when something goes wrong, you can restore your system in 10 minutes using the same Acronis. And not have to reinstall everything from scratch.
12. Try to install Linux
I understand that the operating system change - not an easy step. Especially for the elderly. But Linux provides a huge number of benefits for inexperienced users.
Linux is very difficult to damage or litter, in contrast than Windows. Set of ignorance any unwanted program is too difficult. Linux does not have viruses, Trojans, self-installing exe-file, any dirty tricks like MediaGet and the like goods. And yet with this OS you can without hesitation to open zavirusovannye sites and suspicious attachments from an e-mail - will not be able to harm them.
Linux is perfectly covers most of the basic needs of the average user. Web surfing, Social networks, movies and photos, listen to music, e-mail, work with simple documents, simple games from Steam - everything is there.
Of course, if your elderly parents are engaged in design or video editing - Linux is not for them. But with such advanced users you on Windows no problem.
For example, I moved my mother to Linux for quite some time - a few years ago. Problems with the "brakes" and questionable software in the past. And this despite the fact that it is often in search of new series, she often comes in a rather dubious places.
For beginners, Linux Mint is best suitable - a simple, stable and fast. establish it will not be for you to work.
Download Linux Mint →
13. Parent repair the computer yourself
Internet is full of scam ads that offer to solve all the problems with your computer for a modest fee. At best, they reinstall the system, carrying all of the data accumulated by users. At worst, bring the car to its crash, and even memory stick with the video card can snitch.
And then an invoice for the amount, which is equal to the cost of the good budget notebook. Older people often are conducted in such as have no idea how much usually is a computer and that he had inside.
Therefore, make it a rule to fix the computer of your own parents. Explain to them that trust "Computer Wizard", whose numbers are on the Internet or on the ads in the entrance, it is unreasonable. If the computer had problems - even call you. And you really decide.
14. Explain what trolling
Your parents may threaten trolling, kiberbulling and other forms of aggression on the web. Older people are sensitive to this "communication" and greatly upset when they meet online bullies in the comments.
Explain to parents the principle of "do not feed the troll": the best way to maintain mental balance in online battles - simply do not participate in them. And let it not concern all too seriously. In the end, if you offend absolutely a stranger on the Internet - it's just a little thing. With every situation can be dealt with here, the inconvenient tab in the browser.
Show parents how to use black lists on social networks and messengers. If someone behaves aggressively, even block him and get it over with.
15. Send your parents in the free swimming
Remember how you learned computer (I assume that it was in a fairly young age). It is unlikely that someone you carefully taught, sitting at your shoulder - in most cases, we all acted "at random." In doing so, and with their parents. How absurd and selfish in its way it may sound, this is the most effective way to learn the basics of computer technology.
Explain to family that the computer hard to break, unless, of course, they will not beat him down. And with the help of backups and reinstalling the system can solve the majority of problems. Teach them to the minimum necessary: how to move the cursor to open and minimize windows, which program to use for what. And then let them figure it out. And they quickly assimilated, once aware of all the charm of the Internet.
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