How to Idiot-Proof a Parents' Computer

By eHow Computers Editor

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It's bad enough when parents or grandparents look at a computer and say, "What's this for?" and press the reset button when you're in the middle of something. Sure, mishaps like that occur only once in a great while. But when a computer illiterate parent buys a computer of their own and asks you for help setting it up, there are several things you can do to idiot-proof it.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Install as many anti-virus, anti-phishing and anti-spam programs as you can. Just make sure they don't interfere with each other and cause more problems. Set the programs for automatic updates and regular sweeps. Explain the sweep concept to your parents and tell them what to look for so they don't panic when the sweep screen appears.

Step2

Set the Internet and browser options on Firefox, Internet Explorer or other browser you have chosen for your parents. Ask them what sites they plan to visit and concentrate on allowing pop-ups for some of those sites. Many legitimate shopping sites do use pop-up order forms. Allow cookies and saved passwords on the sites they frequent the most.

Step3

Obtain a safe email account, like G-mail. Use your best judgement and avoid spam heavy ISP email accounts.

Step4

Check the computer's connections to the printer, monitor, scanner and other devices carefully. Idiot-proof them by making sure they are secure and won't detach easily.

Step5

Upgrade. Make sure that your parents have the best model computer they can afford for added idiot-proof measures. The faster the system the better. If the system is too old or slow, it may cause the screen to freeze often and your phone to ring first thing in the morning.