I'm facing a real challenge with my grandmother, who has managed to essentially brick three laptops, two phones, a tablet, and even a Kindle. Despite my constant reminders, she insists she doesn't download anything, but she frequently opens spam emails, clicks on flashing ads, and has even given out her password to dubious characters online. I'm at my wit's end because she needs a usable laptop for her virtual doctor visits and for printing important documents. I'm planning to give her a new laptop running Windows 11, but I need to find a way to restrain her from downloading anything harmful or navigating to spammy sites. Is there a specific program or operating system I could install that would help with this?
5 Answers
If you're already set on giving her the laptop, think about installing Linux Mint. It's user-friendly and if you set up Waterfox as the default browser with uBlock Origin, it’ll block most ads and malware. Even if she accidentally clicks on something, it won’t work on Linux.
Another option could be to setup a virtual machine where she only has access to essential features. It might be a bit complicated, but it keeps her browsing separate from the main system.
Installing something like uBlock Origin is definitely a step in the right direction. You could also try to set up a restricted user account on Windows that limits software installation.
Have you considered getting her a Chromebook? They’re pretty straightforward to use and have built-in security features that can help keep her safe from viruses and spam sites.
Sounds tough! You might want to look into some parental control software that can restrict access to harmful sites. Just be sure to explain to her why these measures are necessary for her safety.
Related Questions
How To Get Your Domain Unblocked From Facebook
How To Find A String In a Directory of Files Using Linux