locking down windows vista64 bit

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 9:59 am

i need to re-install windows vista64 for my parents, they have way too many issues right now on their PC and i am going to nuke it.

what is the best method to keep it from getting infected with random spyware/virus crap ?

i was thinking of setting them up a guest account and somehow limiting their ability to install crap, but not sure how to do this ?

or maybe go drastic and setup some kinda linux for them, but not sure how that will work as they don't handle change very well, plus i am no expert on linux LOL

RaisinCain · Post by **RaisinCain** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 11:03 am

Could re-install everything and then instal Sandboxie or install Comodo Dragon or IceDragon or both (along with Bitdefender for an AV solution).

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 12:03 pm

sandboxie looks interesting, but i am pretty sure my parents would not have a clue how to use it LOL

RaisinCain · Post by **RaisinCain** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 12:47 pm

I believe the last time that I used it that the software was "automatic".

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 12:54 pm

RaisinCain wrote:I believe the last time that I used it that the software was "automatic".

i will check it out then, thanks

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 6:58 am

*Chrome for their browser. Chrome already has a built in sandbox, which is one of the reasons its by a far lead the most secure browser of the big 3. Install the AdBlock Plus extension...and you help cut down the chance of malware infection even more.
*Setup a safe DNS service on their router. Set it to OpenDNS or Nortons ConnectSafe. This alone cuts way waaaay down on malware calls.
*A few good free antivirus programs to choose from, BitDefender free, Panda Cloud Free, 360 Internet Security (powered by 3x AV engines),
*Install a patch utility like ninite..to keep the "web players" updated. Since most of todays malware is web based, and exploits Java, Flash, PDFs...it's important to keep those updated.

Easto · Post by **Easto** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 10:06 am

Tell them to stop clicking on anything that looks interesting, lol. Maybe a scare tactic is in order. My dad did something that could have been very risky (giving out his CC number) and when he called me over to ask me to help him with something I realized what he was trying to do and I scared the hell out of him my asking "How do you know you're giving the right people this information". All of a sudden he got this really concerned and scared look as if he had just comprised his account. Fortunately he was doing the right thing but I put the thought in his head as to if he knew if he was actually doing the right thing or possibly entering all this data on a fake website.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 5:51 pm

thanks guy's, now i need to get them off AOL, i wonder how many problems that gives them.

i am going to insist that they use g-mail for the spam filtering, works great for me, or is it safe for them to use a AOL webpage for e-mail instead of installing the whole AOL deal ?

RaisinCain · Post by **RaisinCain** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 5:57 pm

Mark wrote:thanks guy's, now i need to get them off AOL, i wonder how many problems that gives them.

i am going to insist that they use g-mail for the spam filtering, works great for me, or is it safe for them to use a AOL webpage for e-mail instead of installing the whole AOL deal ?

You should be ashamed sir! Get them the hell away from AOL immediately!

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 7:10 pm

RaisinCain wrote:You should be ashamed sir! Get them the hell away from AOL immediately!

is AOL really that bad ?

i have tried for years to get them off that crap, but to no avail

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Tue Feb 18, 2014 6:54 am

AOL users do not have to download the whole bloated AOL software package to use AOL, they can still check their e-mail via any web browser.

While yes most of us laugh at AOL users...but to be honest, many older people still use it, my parents still use it, and I have quite a few older clients that still cling to it.'
However, AOL and Yahoos e-mail servers are frequently hacked and user accounts (included passwords) are harvested...so IMO it's not good for the end users of AOHell and YaPoop. (since many users names are used in other accounts, with same passwords). Just not good for prevention of identity theft. So I encourage users to move to other e-mail services like GMail for that reason alone. And if they won't...at least use different passwords for that, versus their other accounts. (yes we all know using separate passwords for all your accounts is the right thing to do, but what happens in the real world is another matter)

Since this computer have Vista and we can assume it's older....and due for replacement soon, consider a Mac for them. I'm sure you know how much I poke fun at Apple users over the years, but for my parents...when their WinXP rig died it's last breath a little over a year ago, and they were out shopping for a new computer, I pretty much forced them to get an Apple iMac. Just so they'd have less problems out on the 'net.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Tue Feb 18, 2014 12:37 pm

their PC is a quad core AMD with 4 gigs RAM a decent video card plus a new solid state drive so it just needs a fresh install I think

CableDude · Post by **CableDude** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 7:43 pm

YeOldeStonecat wrote:YaPoop.