Help!! Especially Mac users.. please help.

[Popinski]

I like Windows because I grew up on it and I love playing games.

But this doesn't concern me, this concerns my father. My father is very old and he recently got into computers. All he uses the computer is for News, political pages, business pages, his bank, other financial statuses etc etc. He owns a HP laptop that I take care of for him. Every month I check for viruses, malware, adware etc etc.

This morning I checked for viruses, malware and adware because he complains about it being slow even after I upgraded it to 1 gig of ram from 512 megs. He had 7 Malware, 4 pornography adware, and 1 virus. I also checked his history and cache and there's no sign of pornography pages or any unfamiliar pages.

I'm really concerned because I know he's not that kind of person and I know he's only looking at legit business etc.. pages. I'm fearing for his security, especially his bank info.

Now I'm considering a Macintosh for my father because I heard that they're safer than Window machines. I will be moving to an another state soon and I won't be seeing him that much and I want him to be safe on the internet. He's very antique and very stubborn when it comes to technology.

Any suggestions? Are Macs safer for my old man? HELP! Thanks in advance.

 

[saberz]

They are no safer in reality.

They are only "safer" because less market share means less interest in exploiting them. Windows virii cannot execut on Nix OS Architecture. So you could buy him a Mac if it makes you sleep better at night, but the pricing is horrible. Windows 7 is pretty secure, or you could load the PC with Ubuntu/Mint and call it a day if all he is doing is surfing etc. It's free and they are two of the best user friendly OS's for Linux with Mac and Windows like interfaces.

I'd recommend Linux Mint as it comes with Codecs software etc out of the box like a Windows install would. You can use it right away and it even has a Start Menu like interface.

 

[JHZR2]

Yeah but for an older person whose computer help is going to be far away, wouldnt something more mainstream then Ubuntu be a better deal? Help/support would be easier to get.

And, given the pricing of a mac mini or macbook white, I dont see that the prices are that un-competitive. There are lots of PCs out there with less than great hardware inside, which makes them risky in terms of reliability.

I personally think the mac is a good idea, going with a mini and then as large an LCD monitor as budget allows (save the eyes). Mac will give you the benefit of fewer folks out there writing malicious code, however, a successful phishing attempt or similar can't be protected regardless of OS. That take a proactive security position when screening and reading emails, websites, etc.

 

[uc50ic4more]

Originally Posted By: Anies
They are no safer in reality.

They are only "safer" because less market share means less interest in exploiting them.


Translation: In *reality*, they're much, much, much safer.

Originally Posted By: Anies
I'd recommend Linux Mint as it comes with Codecs software etc out of the box like a Windows install would. You can use it right away and it even has a Start Menu like interface.


This is an excellent suggestion (better than a Mac, in my opinion; *especially* for what it'll be used for...) as long as *you* would feel comfortable doing what very, very little maintenance would need to be done from time to time. Myself, and a good few others here would be here for assistance!

 

[PandaBear]

If he is already used to Windows, I'd say stick with it. The Mac interface is somewhat different and many people have a hard time getting used to it. If he starts using computer without any prior experience, then Mac may be easier to learn.

Security wise, if you are concerned tell him not to use IE and use Chrome or Firefox, and never click a pop up (even if it said it found virus on your computer). My dad has been using Windows since 96 and the only time I got virus is clicking the virus warning pop up by accident.

If you want to go away from Windows and not wanting to pay for a Mac, try Hackintosh or Unbuntu.

 

[uc50ic4more]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Yeah but for an older person whose computer help is going to be far away, wouldnt something more mainstream then Ubuntu be a better deal? Help/support would be easier to get.


Unless you're paying for support, the Ubuntu forums are *second to none*: They're ridiculously polite and as helpful as can be.

I will re-iterate, though, that Linux Mint *is* Ubuntu but with a few tweaks and improvements; most notably the outta-the-box inclusion of codecs that the Ubuntu folks are reticent to include by default due to licensing issues. NOT having to install those codecs - as Ubuntu, Windows and Mac users must - is a real time-saver, and mitigates against possible frustration for the new user.

 

[Buffman]

what AV software are you using? Sometimes a simple google search will have a redirect to some malware in one of the search results and if you don't pay attention and catch it, it's too late. and It can happen with firefox also.

I'd get him a mac if you want the piece of mind, but if there's nothing wrong with the HP other than picking a better AV suite then it's not money well spent IMO

 

[Popinski]

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
If he is already used to Windows, I'd say stick with it. The Mac interface is somewhat different and many people have a hard time getting used to it. If he starts using computer without any prior experience, then Mac may be easier to learn.

Security wise, if you are concerned tell him not to use IE and use Chrome or Firefox, and never click a pop up (even if it said it found virus on your computer). My dad has been using Windows since 96 and the only time I got virus is clicking the virus warning pop up by accident.

If you want to go away from Windows and not wanting to pay for a Mac, try Hackintosh or Unbuntu.


Yes, he's using Firefox and it automatically updates.

Originally Posted By: Buffman
what AV software are you using? Sometimes a simple google search will have a redirect to some malware in one of the search results and if you don't pay attention and catch it, it's too late. and It can happen with firefox also.

I'd get him a mac if you want the piece of mind, but if there's nothing wrong with the HP other than picking a better AV suite then it's not money well spent IMO


He used to have a 3 month free trial of Norton that came along with the computer but it really made the computer extremely slow. So I changed to a Free Anti-virus program that was recommended by PC magazine called "Avira". For Malware and Adware prevention, I use Malwarebytes and Search and Destroy

 

[tdpark]

set up remote access to his machine so when he has a problem, you can fix it remotely

The latest norton security suite is much better than the older versions- also less of a resource hog

 

[uc50ic4more]

Originally Posted By: tdpark
set up remote access to his machine so when he has a problem, you can fix it remotely


Any self-respecting writer of a virus is going to shut this off on the victim's machine first.

Just install Ubuntu or Linux Mint and never, ever, ever worry about anything ever again. Administering the machine remotely will also be a snap. If all he does is some web surfing, email, etc. you really can't go wrong. The laptop is HP, and they are by far the most Linux-friendly manufacturer out there, so I'll bet everything will work outta-the-box.

 

[SrDriver]

I am pushing age 70 and helped several seniors setup a system for the same type of usage mentioned.

I highly recommend Linux Mint.

The DVD version contains all the codex and plug-ins.

Software is free and you can setup the computer to dual boot when turned on where you have a choice of running either Windows or Linux.

I am sold on it.

 

[simple_gifts]

Originally Posted By: Anies
They are no safer in reality.

They are only "safer" because less market share means less interest in exploiting them.


One enjoys a lower profile IN ADDITION to using an inherently more secure OS.

Quote:

you could load the PC with Ubuntu/Mint and call it a day if all he is doing is surfing etc. It's free and they are two of the best user friendly OS's for Linux with Mac and Windows like interfaces.


Agreed. Mint and Ubuntu are the way to go for casual users. "A different OS" isn't really an issue; I have 3 "non computer users" who just sat down and started using it. Zero issues. No reinstalls, OS crashes, virii, spyware, or disk defrags. One can spend time using a computer, rather than maintaining it.

I don't like Mint's menu structure, but some do.

 

[SrDriver]

I don't care for Mint's menu structure either but many do. I always change it in the panel settings to the normal Ubuntu one.

Reason mentioned about is one 100% why I like Linux is that I can spend my computer time using the system rather than worrying about malware, trojans, virus problems, etc.

No need to defrag. The updates update all of your software.

Both my printers, laser and Inkjet work fine. Scanner, USB Ports, Wi-Fi, etc., work just fine.

Linux Mint comes with Firefox, Thunderbird for email, OpenOffice, and other useful software.

Make sure to download the DVD version as it has all the Codex and plug-ins installed along with Java and Flash.

 

[Popinski]

Originally Posted By: SrDriver
I am pushing age 70 and helped several seniors setup a system for the same type of usage mentioned.

I highly recommend Linux Mint.

The DVD version contains all the codex and plug-ins.

Software is free and you can setup the computer to dual boot when turned on where you have a choice of running either Windows or Linux.

I am sold on it.



Is it easier to use than MAC and Windows OS?

 

[uc50ic4more]

Originally Posted By: Popinski
Is it easier to use than MAC and Windows OS?


In my opinion (I use Mac and Debian, which is the basis for Ubuntu, which is the basis for Mint), yes it is; especially given that all of the technically-illegal-to-redistribute stuff like Flash and Java and mp3 codecs are installed and configured right off the bat for you.

You can go here: http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php and download the "Live DVD" (I'd use the 32-bit version to be safe; I don't know what your system specs are...) which will enable you to test out the OS without touching your installed system. The "Live DVD" runs the OS directly from the DVD so you can test it out without the possibility of harming anything. Note that running an OS directly from a DVD is often slow as molasses, but you'll get the idea if it's intuitive to use or not.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: uc50ic4more


You can go here: http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php and download the "Live DVD" (I'd use the 32-bit version to be safe; I don't know what your system specs are...) which will enable you to test out the OS without touching your installed system.

Can you use the same Live DVD to install Mint on your hard drive or do you need to download something else for that?

 

[uc50ic4more]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: uc50ic4more


You can go here: http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php and download the "Live DVD" (I'd use the 32-bit version to be safe; I don't know what your system specs are...) which will enable you to test out the OS without touching your installed system.

Can you use the same Live DVD to install Mint on your hard drive or do you need to download something else for that?


Yes: The "Live" media for both Ubuntu and Mint contain the installation programs.

Although I have no direct experience with Mint, in Ubuntu there is an "Install" icon placed right on the Desktop when you're using the Ubuntu Live CD. I cannot imagine Mint being any different.

*As far as I am aware*, the installation program will detect and offer you the opportunity to partition your disk(s) in such as way as to *not* wipe out or render unusable your existing Windows install.

I think Mint has some useful support forums where you could direct questions; but I'd use the Ubuntu forums (Mint is almost entirely Ubuntu, but tweaked a wee bit and distributed *with* codecs that are technically illegal to distribute in the U.S. and Japan and a few other countries; hence the option for a US/ Japan download link at the Mint site) as they are immense, and are populated with very, very helpful and polite folks. There are only a few elements of the Mint OS that are Mint-specific, so I'd think almost all questions you'd have about Mint would be appropriate on the Ubuntu forums.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Thanks. I might try to fire it up on my old Dell notebook, just to get a feel for it. It has a dead HDD, so I'll burn a DVD.

Popinski, sorry about hijacking your thread.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Meh... my notebook wouldn't take it... it starts to boot from the disc, but then after a few minutes it just stops, screen goes blank and nothing else happens.

It boots fine on my desktop though. Neat little GUI... for basic web browsing and email, it would work nice.

 

[TurboWagon]

http://arstechnica.com/security/news/2010/07/apple-the-new-world-leader-in-software-insecurity.ars