Net nanny for parents?

chaosisorder

So my in laws are super sweet, awesome people who have the computer savvy of gerbils. It's gotten to the point that I'm really worried about their security because they can be super careless and after this last bout of reformatting (26 trojans, multiple rootkits and a host of other crap) I'd like something to reign them in on their web browsing.

We've tried teaching the basics of safe searching, but they simply get tricked or forget half the time. Is there a program that will *actively* block them from visiting non-recommended sites (we've had AVG's search shield turned on for them, but I think they ignore the recommendations)?

They primarily use the home computers for a little bit of word processing, home bills, music and goofing around on the web. Securing these machines shouldn't be hard, but they keep finding ways around it

Halps!


TLDR; Can I net nanny my in laws?

MagicPrime

Have you thought about Deep Freezing them?

It would just have to involve you with updates and installation of new software.

bowen

How much are you looking to spend, or are you good with linux and iptables?

Darkewolfe

Are they on their own computer or a shared system?

vonPoonBurGer

You could set them up with OpenDNS, using a profile that blocks and adware and phishing sites. I'm not sure how much stuff that would catch, but at least they can't willfully sidestep the block without involving you.

chaosisorder

Have thought about Deep Freezing- the complications are:

1) We are halfway across the country from them and will soon be living out of the country where we may not be able to remotely access them.

2) They are on a home network that they need at least some ability to manuever since we aren't nearby.


We completely locked down their network at work so they basically can't do squat except billing programs, word processing and the sites we have manually allowed. I'd hate to do that to them at home, but I'd rather that then the crap they're headed for by doing things like getting banking emails and putting in their info to random sites >.<

No, I'm no even remotely familiar with Linux, but if I have to get that way to make this work, I will.

matt has a problem

You could always try installing the free version of Logmein, along with some of the other mentioned ways. This way, if they did have a problem, you could access their computer from anywhere with an internet connection, and it's like you're sitting right in front of it.

EclecticGroove

I recently went through this.. and TBH.. it wasn't worth it. I have nothing against Windows, but the nature of the industry is to target any/all weaknesses in the OS and it's software, it's stupidly easy to get things installed when the user thinks nothing of clicking links/opening emails, etc.

I said fuck it and installed Ubuntu. I know hardcore linux people scoff at is as nothing more than Windows XP linux style... but that was the point. For the use my parents have the likelihood of them getting something that is meant to be able to infect a *nix box is almost 0.

I set it up to mimic their XP box pretty close... E-mail, music, some games, printer works, flash works, their bill paying sites/etc work... so it's all set.

If you are really good with linux, you can obviously set them up with any distro you want and make it work for them, I just chose ubuntu due to the ease of setup and the generally user friendly approach they have taken to usability.

May not be your cup of tea, but it should be pretty much a sure bet they won't have spyware/vurus's from casual use.

MagicPrime

Kind of a simple thing, have you told them to start using FireFox rather than IE? It won't completely stop the problem - buts its kinda like a flak jacket.

embrik

Here you go- Windows Steadystate. Set up their workstation how they want it, load Steadystate, set a folder/folders where they can save stuff, set options and then let them have it back. They can load as much crap as they want, then after a reboot, it'll be right back the way it was. Take a look, I use it all the time for Kiosk workstations, it's so handy.

Edit - oh, and it's free. You owe it to yourself to take a look at it.

Daedalus

Stop fixing their computer for them. Fixing computer-illiterate in-laws' computers is the most Sisyphusian task in existence.

Improvolone

Ubuntu was my first venture into Linux and it is sooooo easy. Aside from learning a few different ways to do things, its as close to the same experience they will ever need/want.
Grab unetbootin and give it a go yoursellf, I really think this will be your best option.

ApexMirage

embrik wrote: »

Here you go- Windows Steadystate. Set up their workstation how they want it, load Steadystate, set a folder/folders where they can save stuff, set options and then let them have it back. They can load as much crap as they want, then after a reboot, it'll be right back the way it was. Take a look, I use it all the time for Kiosk workstations, it's so handy.

Edit - oh, and it's free. You owe it to yourself to take a look at it.

This is the deep freeze that was mentioned above already. I'm not familiar with it myself, but a combination of this and maybe a separate partition for them to save data they need to. You could have the OS frozen, but still have space for them to save data to, and then troubleshoot that from a distance if need be.

exoplasm

Tell them to get a Mac. It just works(tm).

Seriously. I get paid to fix problems like this that happen to the same people over and over again on a weekly basis. Install better anti-virus, firewalls, anti-malware, firefox, etc etc etc. They will NOT use it and go back to their old ways. Even though they pay me to fix it every time it pisses me off that it keeps happening.

Just get them a Mac and don't help them anymore.

Blake T

MagicPrime wrote: »

Kind of a simple thing, have you told them to start using FireFox rather than IE? It won't completely stop the problem - buts its kinda like a flak jacket.

Install chrome instead. If it finds a page with malware in it it wont load and you have to click through it.

Really though you have to accept these people are idiots.

Oh and hide internet explorer so they can't use it.

psycojester

Just set their internet explorer shortcuts to target firefox or chrome.

chaosisorder

Sadly, they have Firefox. And have everything set to load Firefox instead of IE. And although both assure me that they do not use IE, the volume of crap on their machine says otherwise.

While a Mac would have been a great idea to start, we are now faced with three computers we'd have to replace and people who would *freak* if a USB cord to something (like their camera) didn't instantly work.

Looks like a deep freeze lockdown of some sort is in order- thanks for the free MS one, we'll probably try that first and then move to a linux system if they persist in opening "Yur bank needs psswrd!" e-mails.