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That's a good call. He never got into iOS and is used to using pages and mail on OS X to get edit documents and read email. But maybe that is the best option...

by mlac 7y ago

Crosseye_Jack 7y ago
It won’t stop the “Windows Virus” problem while they are browsing the web but an adblocker helps a ton (either via popup blocking, content blocking and or DNS blocking - atm I’m using 1Blocker X for content blocking and NextDNS and their TestFlight DNS via VPN app and blocking malicious domains for DNS blocking - benefit of NextDNS is that it easily allows me to config those settings remotely). But something will always get through those blockers as they are only reactive. So just let them know if it starts asking for money when they never intended to spend money to give you a call (you can also set up TeamViewer on the iPad to help you “fix[1]” the issue which will be just closing the tab 99 times out of 100). Source: Brought my technophobe mother an iPad a couple of years ago. At the start I had to hand hold her though everything, literally everything. These days she is ordering online and even having her groceries delivered using it and I’m just doing preventative maintenance on the thing by making sure everything gets updated in a timely manner. [1] iirc TeamViewer doesn’t allow remote control of an iPad just remote viewing unless something changed recently, but it will allow you to see what they can see and guide them though what and where to press via the phone.
zrobotics 7y ago
You may want to reconsider an iPad (or anything touch-interface). Tried it with some older relatives, and the UI differences ended up being too much. Additionally, even though my grandfather is a hunt-and-peck typist, an on-screen keyboard was far more frustrating for him to use. At least have him try a tablet first. Consider that touchscreen keyboards in general are harder to use for people with poor dexterity, especially for new users. Chrome book with an adblocker should be reasonably secure, if you're worried about scammers there are other possible attack vectors that having a secure computer won't defend against. Consider that if he could fall victim to a windows virus scam, he can just as easily fall prey to the myriad scam telephone calls. Unfortunately, there is no easy tech solution for this; either educating them or setting up financial safeguards through the bank will solve that problem.
- mlac 7y ago
  Fair point... And I get that education is key, but I'm trying to throw up technical solutions as best I can so they can maintain their online freedom. I'm thinking routing their DNS to a pihole, getting them a static IP so I can VPN in and access their Mac, routing their Chromebook to the home network with VPN so it goes through the pihole as well, and then locking down permissions even further on their accounts. If I have solid remote access through VPN I'm comfortable having him call me when there is a need to install something... Their use case for the computer hasn't changed much so I don't anticipate they would need to make a significant number of installs. And in terms of banking maybe we can make a few calls to their institution.

That's a good call. He never got into iOS and is used to using pages and mail on OS X to get edit documents and read email. But maybe that is the best option...

by mlac 7y ago

That's a good call. He never got into iOS and is used to using pages and mail on OS X to get edit documents and read email. But maybe that is the best option...

Crosseye_Jack 7y ago

It won’t stop the “Windows Virus” problem while they are browsing the web but an adblocker helps a ton (either via popup blocking, content blocking and or DNS blocking - atm I’m using 1Blocker X for content blocking and NextDNS and their TestFlight DNS via VPN app and blocking malicious domains for DNS blocking - benefit of NextDNS is that it easily allows me to config those settings remotely). But something will always get through those blockers as they are only reactive. So just let them know if it starts asking for money when they never intended to spend money to give you a call (you can also set up TeamViewer on the iPad to help you “fix[1]” the issue which will be just closing the tab 99 times out of 100). Source: Brought my technophobe mother an iPad a couple of years ago. At the start I had to hand hold her though everything, literally everything. These days she is ordering online and even having her groceries delivered using it and I’m just doing preventative maintenance on the thing by making sure everything gets updated in a timely manner. [1] iirc TeamViewer doesn’t allow remote control of an iPad just remote viewing unless something changed recently, but it will allow you to see what they can see and guide them though what and where to press via the phone.

zrobotics 7y ago

You may want to reconsider an iPad (or anything touch-interface). Tried it with some older relatives, and the UI differences ended up being too much. Additionally, even though my grandfather is a hunt-and-peck typist, an on-screen keyboard was far more frustrating for him to use. At least have him try a tablet first. Consider that touchscreen keyboards in general are harder to use for people with poor dexterity, especially for new users. Chrome book with an adblocker should be reasonably secure, if you're worried about scammers there are other possible attack vectors that having a secure computer won't defend against. Consider that if he could fall victim to a windows virus scam, he can just as easily fall prey to the myriad scam telephone calls. Unfortunately, there is no easy tech solution for this; either educating them or setting up financial safeguards through the bank will solve that problem.

mlac 7y ago
Fair point... And I get that education is key, but I'm trying to throw up technical solutions as best I can so they can maintain their online freedom. I'm thinking routing their DNS to a pihole, getting them a static IP so I can VPN in and access their Mac, routing their Chromebook to the home network with VPN so it goes through the pihole as well, and then locking down permissions even further on their accounts. If I have solid remote access through VPN I'm comfortable having him call me when there is a need to install something... Their use case for the computer hasn't changed much so I don't anticipate they would need to make a significant number of installs. And in terms of banking maybe we can make a few calls to their institution.