Comment Re:Install Ubuntu (Score 1) 932
Lots of good suggestions, but hey they are your family. As much as I like Linux myself, there are still a few "gotchas" that will be a showstopper for many, so I'm converting all my family to Macs and in every case they've solved all the problems they were having, and they last and last too.
If you can't go with a Mac, then Windows is a constant problem to protect.
Try these:
* Hide IE
* Install Firefox with NoScript and show them how to selectively allow scripts - the problem is that people are lazy and when one or two script domains doesn't allow the page to work, they turn on "allow globally" completely defeating the reason to use NoScript. I've seen this over and over, and while I don't understand it, I accept that people are going to do it.
* Install/use Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials
* Install McAfee Site Advisor in Firefox & IE
* Make sure they don't use Outlook or Outlook Express, but rather Thunderbird
* Switch their router to use OpenDNS and block malware, phishing, etc. for their network
Even all of this will not be anywhere near as safe as just using a Mac right out of the box or Linux, and it requires constant monitoring to make sure updates don't stop for one reason or other, but it will keep most people out of trouble.
With Mac users, you don't really need to warn them about anything except phishing. Using Site Advisor and the filters on Firefox is about all you need. No anti-virus or anti-malware is necessary. Maybe some day, but not today. Been saying the same thing for many years (8+?) now.
If you can't go with a Mac, then Windows is a constant problem to protect.
Try these:
* Hide IE
* Install Firefox with NoScript and show them how to selectively allow scripts - the problem is that people are lazy and when one or two script domains doesn't allow the page to work, they turn on "allow globally" completely defeating the reason to use NoScript. I've seen this over and over, and while I don't understand it, I accept that people are going to do it.
* Install/use Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials
* Install McAfee Site Advisor in Firefox & IE
* Make sure they don't use Outlook or Outlook Express, but rather Thunderbird
* Switch their router to use OpenDNS and block malware, phishing, etc. for their network
Even all of this will not be anywhere near as safe as just using a Mac right out of the box or Linux, and it requires constant monitoring to make sure updates don't stop for one reason or other, but it will keep most people out of trouble.
With Mac users, you don't really need to warn them about anything except phishing. Using Site Advisor and the filters on Firefox is about all you need. No anti-virus or anti-malware is necessary. Maybe some day, but not today. Been saying the same thing for many years (8+?) now.
