How to protect parents online

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Older people find it difficult to master new technologies, so it is worth preparing them for traveling on the Web in advance.

1. Introduce the theory to parents

When letting older people go online, first, explain what awaits them there. First of all, of course, describe the advantages of the World Wide Web: the ability to quickly find information, easily communicate with relatives, watch photos of cats, and so on. It is necessary to start with the positive aspects so that parents are not afraid and do not perceive the Internet as something completely hostile.

But then, nevertheless, be sure to tell about the dangers that may lie in wait for them. Describe how scammers behave in and on dating sites. Explain that you should not provide personal and banking information to anyone on the Internet, send money, or share your life in detail.

Let your parents not even try to get paid subscriptions and do charity work or online lotteries, if, of course, their pension is dear to them. And in general, the best way not to fall for the bait of intruders is not to mess with, ignore them and not come into contact with them.

And be always in touch: elderly relatives, left to their own devices, can easily get involved in some kind of story. Provide multiple channels of communication. For example, a mobile phone, a landline number and a messenger. And if some crook writes to your parents on social networks on your behalf, they will at least have the opportunity to call you and find out if this is a fraud.

2. Update the system

Make sure your parent's computer is up to date with the operating system and software. Personal example: Windows XP is still installed on the computer of my middle-aged uncle.

This brings a lot of problems - for example, Google Chrome cannot update, since new versions do not support XP, and it does not display sites correctly. Outdated Skype is constantly experiencing problems with video calling. In addition, previous versions of operating systems are most vulnerable to viruses and other misfortunes.

Therefore, install a fresh operating system and the latest browser, antivirus and other software on your parents' computer. Turn on automatic updates and explain to your parents that this is an absolutely normal and necessary process and there is nothing to be afraid of. Disable update messages: there is no need to once again confuse parents in the spirit of "Your antivirus has been updated."

3. Install the remote connection program

If you live far away from your parents, you know how hard it is to fix their computer. Surely you have repeatedly tried to understand what does not work for them, based on confused explanations in a telephone conversation. And even if in the end you caught the essence of the problem, you still had to explain where to press in order to fix everything. Here you just need hellish patience and a lot of free time.

Therefore, immediately after you have finished installing the system and setting up the parent PC, install the remote control program on it. Any - there are many. I can recommend TeamViewer because of its simplicity and popularity.

Configure the start of the TeamViewer client along with the system and enable "Unsupervised access". And then you don't have to wait long for the parents to find and dictate the connection data.

Now you will be able to connect to their computer at any second: you can do this even from your smartphone.

4. Limit user rights

Programs that are installed, like utilities from Mail.ru or Yandex Browser, are pure evil. A more or less bored user, of course, can easily figure out when such uninvited guests try to enter the system.

But older people, who are on the "you" with a computer, do not have an unmistakable flair and attention. Therefore, it is not surprising that even a recently installed Windows is overgrown with all sorts of nasty things in inept hands.

The solution to this problem is to create a limited account for your parents to use.

Go to Settings → Accounts → Family & Others. Click "Add a user for this computer". If your parents have a Microsoft account, enter their email address and password. If not, click “I don’t have login information for this person” → “Add user without a Microsoft account”. Select the account type "Standard" - not "Administrator".

Now, when parents try, albeit unconsciously, to install some nasty thing, the system will ask them for a password. Fortunately, Linux and macOS computers are free from this scourge and have the useful habit of asking for an administrator password when installing new applications, so there are fewer problems with them.

5. Allow installation of programs only from the official store

Limiting user rights is, in principle, a useful thing. But many programs are able to bypass it by installing into the user's own directory. So it makes sense to prohibit the download of questionable applications altogether.

This is how it is done. Open "Settings" → "Applications" → "Apps and features" and you will see the item "Select a location to receive applications". Set the option "From Microsoft Store only" in the drop-down list. That's it, now no dirty trick will get through to your parents.

In macOS, by default, it is forbidden to install applications not from the AppStore, so if you have not delved into the settings of the parent computer, there is nothing to worry about. If the system settings have been changed, open "System Preferences" and go to the "Protection and Security" section. Click on the lock and enter the password. Then in the item "Allow the use of programs downloaded from" check the AppStore item and close the window.

6. Install Unchecky for Windows

Do you think that prohibiting relatives from installing programs on their own computer, even with good intentions, is too cruel? You can go for half measures and install Unchecky. The program checks which boxes are checked in the installers of downloaded applications. If there are extraneous marks like “Install Yandex Items” and similar “gifts”, Unchecky will automatically remove them.

7. Install an ad blocker

The Internet is full of ads, and at times they are terribly annoying. And it is very difficult to explain to elderly parents that clicking on banners with offers to win something or increase something is not a good idea.

So install. For example, AdBlock Plus is fine. Then go to the extension's settings in your browser and uncheck the box next to "Enable acceptable ads" to be sure that the enemy will not pass.

8. Install Web of Trust

How do you guess which sites are trustworthy and which are not? A more or less experienced user is able to distinguish a potentially malicious site from a decent one: such a usually makeshift interface, filled with a bunch of advertisements and other nasty things, the texts are full of errors and everywhere these terrible huge buttons "Download for free without SMS". But older people just love to click on them.

Therefore, install a special browser extension called Web of Trust. It can recognize malicious sites and warn when you open one of them. Simple but quite effective browser protection tool.

Explain to your parents that you should only go to sites that are marked with a green icon. If it is yellow or even red, let them forget about this resource and never open it again.

WOT weboftrust

9. Install antivirus

The built-in Windows antivirus is not bad if you use your computer carefully - do not plug in suspicious flash drives, do not go to questionable sites, and so on. If your parents aren't as picky, you might want to give them better protection.

We have quality free antivirus software - choose any. The main thing is to turn it off after installing the update notification so that the antivirus does not confuse relatives with imitation of violent activity. And set the alert settings to a minimum - then the security program will alarm your parents only if they discovered something really malicious.

Be sure to explain what antivirus is and how to respond to it. Otherwise, parents will open a malicious site or file over and over again, and the antivirus will display a notification. And so in a circle.

In addition, many popular antivirus packages come with built-in Parental Controls. This is a good way to protect not only small children, but also the elderly. For example, you can block porn sites or prevent the installation of games. The main thing is not to bend so that the parents do not go crazy with overprotection.

10. Explain how to create passwords

Teach parents to use normal passwords. It is advisable that they have mastered, and then they will have to remember only one combination, and this is much easier for older people.

Even if relatives prefer to write passwords in a notebook the old fashioned way, make sure they are long and complex enough. And bring to the parents a simple truth: no one should be told these combinations. Never at all.

11. Configure the creation of backups

No matter how much you try to turn your parents' computer into a fortress, sooner or later they manage to damage the system. Therefore, for the sake of preserving your own mental health, enable the creation of backups.

There are a fair number of backup software available. Take any. And create two types of backups - a copy of files (photos, documents and other information that is dear to your heart) and a copy of the OS itself. And when something goes wrong, you can restore the system in 10 minutes using the same Acronis. And you don't have to reinstall everything again.

12. Try to install Linux

I understand that changing the operating system is not an easy step. Especially for the elderly. But Linux offers a huge number of benefits for inexperienced users.

Linux is very difficult to damage or litter, unlike Windows. Unknowingly installing any unwanted program is also difficult here. Linux has no viruses, Trojans, self-installing exe-files, any nasty things like MediaGet and the like. And with this OS, you can open infected sites and suspicious attachments from e-mail without hesitation - they will not be able to harm.

Linux perfectly covers most of the basic needs of the average user. Web surfing, social networks, watching movies and photos, listening to music, e-mail, working with simple documents, simple games from Steam - all this is here.

Of course, if your elderly parents do design or video editing, Linux is not for them. But with such advanced users, you won't have any problems on Windows either.

For example, I switched my mom to Linux a long time ago - a few years ago. Problems with "brakes" and dubious software are a thing of the past. And this is despite the fact that often, in search of new series, she often enters rather dubious places.

For beginners, Linux Mint is best suited - simple, stable, and fast. it will not be difficult for you.

13. Repair the parent computer yourself

The internet is full of ads from scammers who offer to fix all your computer problems for a reasonable fee. In the best case, they reinstall the system, demolishing all the data accumulated by users. At worst, they bring the car to a completely inoperative state, and even the memory bar with the video card can be snatched away.

And then they bill for an amount that is equal to the cost of a good budget laptop. Elderly people often fall for this, because they have absolutely no idea how much a computer usually costs and what is inside it.

Therefore, make it a rule to fix your parents' computer yourself. Explain to them that it is unreasonable to trust the "computer masters" whose numbers are on the Internet or on advertisements in the stairwell. If you have problems with the computer, let them call you. And you will make a decision.

14. Explain what trolling is

Your parents may be threatened by trolling and other forms of online aggression. Older people are very sensitive to this kind of "communication" and get very upset when they meet Internet bullies in the comments.

Explain to your parents the principle of “don't feed the troll”: the best way to maintain mental balance in online battles is simply not to participate in them. And don't take it too seriously. After all, if a complete stranger on the Internet insults you, it's just a trifle. Any situation here can be dealt with by closing the unwanted tab in the browser.

Show your parents how to use blacklists on social networks and instant messengers. If someone is behaving aggressively, let them block him, and that's it.

15. Send your parents free to swim

Remember how you mastered the computer (I can assume that this happened at a fairly young age). It is unlikely that someone carefully taught you, sitting behind your shoulder - in most cases we all acted "by typing". Do the same with your parents. As absurd and selfish as it sounds, this is the most effective way to learn the basics of computer technology.

Explain to your family that the computer is hard to break, unless, of course, they kick it. And that with the help of backups and reinstalling the system, you can solve the vast majority of problems. Teach them the bare minimum: how to move the cursor, how to open and minimize windows, what program to use for what. And then let them figure it out for themselves. And they quickly assimilate as soon as they realize all the delights of the Internet.