Software for the elderly

[Premines19]

hello technibble community! I started my business just a few months ago so im building my software and hardware tools as i go along. I have an elderly friend of the family (upper 70's), that ive done virus cleanups for him on several of his computers over the past few years because no matter how many times i tell him about safe browsing, he still clicks on everything. My question for you all is, do you all have certain software you download on clients computers like this that at least help slow down the process of them getting infected? i listen to podnutz quite often and i remember them talking about one that puts a green or red logo at the top letting you know if its trusted or not but i for the life of me cant remember the name of the program. Was really more curious of your process to handle clients like this. Thanks in advance!

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

Possibly Web of Trust: https://www.mywot.com/en/download However you should have a more layered approach to this with a good ad blocker such as uBlock Origin, a good Antivirus such as Bitdefender or whichever you prefer, all security updates and patches, including 3rd party, safe DNS like Open DNS Some of us have bundled all of this into an "Intenet Security" bundle aka residential MSP plan. We started with MaxFocus then moved to N-able to provide this service. For residential MaxFocus is great and has a much lower buy-in than N-able.

 

[cypress]

@Slaters Kustum Machines absolutely nailed it. I take the same approach. Web of Trust and uBlock for browsers and let them know Green means good and red means bad, yellow is caution. Using those simple metaphors should help, but proper layering will go further.

 

[Mike McCall]

With my senior clients (I have several), most have memory problems. So, retaining information I give them is difficult and they get stressed when they forget, especially if I have to go in and clean something up. What I do is provide managed AV, Web filtering, Malware protection, patch management, and set their DNS to OpenDNS. This goes a long way toward minimizing their stress over keeping safe when using a computer at all is stressful for them. They appreciate that I manage those things for them reducing the things they have to remember and deal with. I also install Kabuto w/branding to make it easy to reach out to me. They really appreciate the simplicity at their end.

 

[frase]

Unchecky to disable checkboxes when Installing software that attach 3rd Party crap.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

Unchecky to disable checkboxes when Installing software that attach 3rd Party crap.

Yeah, excellent product, we use that as well.

 

[HFultzjr]

Sandboxie for my problem clients.
Lock it down and set it to auto empty when closed or shut down.

http://www.sandboxie.com/

 

[TechLady]

Yes, another vote for Unchecky!! And Adblock Plus in all browsers.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

I always install adblock plus, then under the options I like to disable the option "Allow some unintrusive advertising". Also, Web of Trust is a good one. If you really want to be proactive, sell them a copy of malwarebytes premium that can run in the background. If they are really getting infected. If you have the other things loaded as well as a good antivirus software, malwarebytes premium should help things. I directed one guy to that who kept having issues, and no more calls from him.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

I use uBlock Origin on Chrome and Firefox, it works much better than adblock plus, but I put ad block plus on IE.

 

[TurricanII]

I use chromebook where possible.

 

[cypress]

Really wish uBlock Origin would come out with an IE extension. I still use Adblock Plus on IE still. Completely forgot about Unchecky.

 

[dcomp12]

I always Printed these cheet sheets and added this to with their paperwork with any system I sold.

http://www.customguide.com/free-computer-training

 

[Diggs]

Sandboxie for my problem clients.
Lock it down and set it to auto empty when closed or shut down.

http://www.sandboxie.com/

Really? Sandboxie confuses and constantly gets in the way. I don't consider it useful by novices.

 

[HFultzjr]

Yes really.
I have many "novices" running their web browsers through Sandboxie.
What are your customers finding confusing and getting in the way?

..........After re-reading the posts, I had meant for web-browsing.
Agreed it might not be the best for downloading and installing, etc.
Most of my "problem" customers don't know you can do anything but get on the "www". Facebook, e-mail, etc. Some couldn't install a program if their life depended on it......................LOL!

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

I always Printed these cheet sheets and added this to with their paperwork with any system I sold.

http://www.customguide.com/free-computer-training

What does it cost to sign up?

 

[dcomp12]

Im not too sure i just print out the sheets for them for personal use