MIL, step away from the computer
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Anonymous
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MIL just trashed the second computer we've bought for her by clicking on a random pop-up and getting a virus. Computer is stuck in a reboot loop so we are unable to help her using the remote viewing software that we usually use to get her out of these jams. We are 5 hours away and not about to jump in the car to spend another 1/2 day reinstalling windows.
Mainly a vent -- tired of buying computers for her and then spending so much visit/ phone time as the "help desk". This time we just said it will have to wait until our next visit, but she just constantly brings up how it is still not working and she cannot check her email. Any suggestions on how to handle this? We can't seem to educate her about going to sketchy websites and clicking on anything she sees. I want to just say, if you keep breaking it, you can't have a computer anymore! |
Anonymous
| Wait, we share the same MIL? |
Anonymous
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Buy a mac.
I have never gotten a virus with a mac, even when my kids click on random things. |
Anonymous
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What are sketchy websites? Is she clicking links off Facebook? Tell her to stop that.
Can you use some kind of access management software to block certain content from her? |
Anonymous
| Yeah, considered macs but they are way overpriced. And yet, constantly buying new computers for her is not cheap either... |
Anonymous
| Also - no more computers. Get an iPad and be done with it. If she wants to use Word she can go to the library and let them help her. |
Anonymous
+1, but only if money isn't a concern. If money is a concern - what about an iPad or something similar? She can email, see photos, browse the web, play games... and not get viruses. Less money spent if she drops it or something , too 
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Anonymous
| Tell her to go to the library to use the computer for free. Or she can hire the Geek Squad to come fix her computer! |
Anonymous
| geek squad? tech savvy neighbor of hers? neighborhood teen? make her pay for it and stop buying her computers. that's crazy. |
Anonymous
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She spends a lot of time on random vitamin/ health websites. Plus probably a lot of sketchy political/ conspiracy stuff, judging by the crap she emails us (which we usually just respond to with a link to the appropriate snopes.com page).
Educating about clicking on things has failed. I think it just must be difficult when you did not grow up with a computer to be able to distinguish what is sketchy and what is not. Add in some impulse control problems and here we are. |
Anonymous
| Mac and be virus free forever. |
Anonymous
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Thanks for the suggestions -- yes I was on the library train last time she blew out a computer, but it was a nonstarter.
We were stern with her this time and just said it would have to wait until our next visit. Unfortunately she took matters into her own hands and signed up with a tech support service from her ISP. Of course they could not help either and now she has locked herself into an expensive, useless contract. Again, poor impulse control - she could not wait 24 hours to hear from us before signing up. She is not well off so even if we make her pay for this fix, ultimately we still pay as we are supporting her in other ways. |
Anonymous
It doesn't sound like she needs a computer. Stop purchasing them for her. Problem solved. No one needs to email, specially at an older age. |
Anonymous
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1. She can go to the library and use a free computer to check her email.
2. She can call one of those Geek Squad people to come to her house to fix her computer. If I were you I would not buy any more computers for her. If you can't use it responsibly, you don't get to have it. |
Anonymous
Apple products are awesome. We love our iMac. You pay what you get for. |