Senior Citizen Security and Utilities With Vista

[fb0252]

Just bought the 80 yr. old mother a Vista Machine 32 bit. Athlon x5000 with 2 gigs memory--Dell.

Since I run Windows XP it's unknown to me what we should put on this Vista Machine.

I'm taking it that we need an anti-virus program, but, I'd also like something on there that will automatically do internet temporary file clean up and periodic defrags.

Norton Symantec will do this of course, but, wondering if we need Norton with Vista, or does Vista do the defrag and clean up on its own? Anyone? Txs.

 

[mechBgon]

Vista defrags automagically. As far as security goes, here are some suggestions, which start with using a low-rights user account: http://www.mechbgon.com/build/security2.html I use this approach on my 67-year-old mom's WinXP Pro rig, including the Software Restriction Policy option (step 11). I enjoy considerable peace of mind as a result Vista would be even better, of course, but it'll have to wait until I can afford some hardware to go with it.

You can set your web browser's cache to a relatively small size to limit how much stuff it'll hang onto. For IE7, that's in Tools > Internet Options > General tab > Settings button under "Browsing History". In the Internet Options > Advanced tab, you can also find a checkbox to have it delete temporary Internet files when the browser's closed.

Hope that's some help

 

[mechBgon]

Also, thinking further on the topic, I think user education should be a high priority, especially explaining that the Internet and email can never be taken at face value. Phishing scams, banners claiming OMG UR COMPUTER IS TEH INFECTEDZ!!!!1!!, stuff like that.

Find some good sites that explain about phishing and identity theft, maybe the AARP has one or something. Tell her to call you if she gets any email claiming to be from her bank, the FBI, her ISP, or other authority figures trying to get her to take action or click something.

 

[fb0252]

txs very much. the mom now happily using Avast virus with her Vista. Bragging to her friends since she herself accomplished the download.

Nice website! Just used it to orient this E6850 into my new system!

 

[RichNY]

I highly recommend the Norton products (NIS 2008 or Norton 360) for a novice. You'll read a lot of crazy Norton stories about resources, etc., but I've now used Zone Alarm and Kaspersky's suites in addition to NIS 2008 and I find NIS 2008 to be the least resource-intensive (on Vista) and "quietest" in terms of user interaction necessary (it never asks any questions - just does its job right - perfect for the novice who doesn't know whether to allow "lsass.exe" to act as a server or not). It isn't quite as easy to configure if you need to open ports, etc., but your mother isn't going to be configuring - you want set-and-forget, right?

Norton 360 does some system maintenance stuff on a schedule, but I'm not very familiar with it. Worth looking into, though if you're interested.

Good luck!

 

[RichNY]

Sorry - just saw your response that you installed Avast. Glad you found something that worked well! If you have trouble, try Norton.

 

[Lemon law]

Originally posted by: fb0252
txs very much. the mom now happily using Avast virus with her Vista. Bragging to her friends since she herself accomplished the download.

Nice website! Just used it to orient this E6850 into my new system!

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Avast may not be the best AV around in terms of detection rates, but its probably the best totally free one that also checks incoming emails during the download. But make sure your Mom also knows how to apply the free avast license key or it will stop working after a few weeks or a month. Usually the key comes via email upon request, just cut and copy the key to the avast program, and she is good to go for a year. Rinse and repeat next year.

I also have another recommendation for anyone getting a new computer system. Use another computer that has descent security already set up to pre download and burn to cd some security applications you intend to use on that new computer, and then get them installed on the new computer before you ever expose the new computer to the internet.