Install the software your parents need
07/18/2006Show another tip
By Rafe Needleman, CNET Editor
Level: Beginner
39 out of 41 users found this tip helpful
Filed in: ZoneAlarm 6.0 security products series , SonicWALL Anti-Spam Desktop (32-bit version) , ZoneAlarm , Ad-Aware Free Anti-Malware , Spybot - Search & Destroy , Skype ,
What you should do
The best thing you can do for a parent who has a Windows computer is to make sure automatic updates are turned on so that the system is getting the important security updates that Microsoft sends out. First, open System Properties (right-click My Computer, and select Properties). Then click the Automatic Updates tab and turn on Automatic. Here's the other software you should consider installing.
- Start with free antispyware utilities, such as Spybot Search and Destroy and Ad-aware.
- For antispam and antivirus software, you might want to spring for the paid, professionally supported utilities, such as MailFrontier Desktop, Norton AntiVirus 2005, or ZoneAlarm with Antivirus.
- While you're loading up a USB key or a CD-ROM with software, add some digital pictures of yourself and your family to it and maybe some bookmarks--say, links to your online family photo album.
- Other software you might want to install: the Voice over IP client Skype so that anytime your mom or dad is sitting at the computer, they can give you a ring--or a call for help--for free.
As much as we like it, we do not recommend installing the fantastic Mozilla Firefox browser for non-tech-savvy users. There are still some sites that don't work as they're supposed to with this browser, and you don't want to be telling your parents to switch back and forth between it and Internet Explorer all the time.
Tags: customize , computer setup , antivirus , firewall , automatic updates
