Question Mom's new pc.

[molchmeister]

I just built my 89 y/o mother a new win10 pc, she has been running a win7 pc and getting viruses every week. That being I have several questions.
1) Is there an easy way to port over her website passwords or will I have to do that manually?
2) I use malwarebytes on my pc would that be appropriate for her?
3) Can I set it up so I can remote in if something happens so I can fix it from home?
Thank for any advice.
Molchmeister

 

[rgd1101]

What is she using the pc for? maybe she don't need a pc

 

[lantis3]

1) Is there an easy way to port over her website passwords or will I have to do that manually?
2) I use malwarebytes on my pc would that be appropriate for her?
3) Can I set it up so I can remote in if something happens so I can fix it from home?

1. No. Do it manually
2. Win10 Built-in AntiVirus is good enough
3. AnyDesk, free.

I would suggest Open Shell Menu for easier Windows 7 to 10 GUI transition.

 

[logainofhades]

I would not trust Win10's built in AntiVirus any further than I could throw the PC you built. Malwarebytes is a very good choice.

 

[molchmeister]

What is she using the pc for? maybe she don't need a pc

She uses it for facebook, to download/print crochet patterns, online banking, and to communicate with her doctors. I have converted her apartment to a smart home, everything is controlled by alexa. She just has bad judgement when she gets those you have won emails.

 

[molchmeister]

1. No. Do it manually
2. Win10 Built-in AntiVirus is good enough
3. AnyDesk, free.

I would suggest Open Menu Shell for easier Windows 7 to 10 GUI transition.

Thanks for the help folks.

 

[ubuysa]

Why would you build a Win 10 PC now? Win 10 is EOL next October so your mom dare not use it for anything sensitive after then.

 

[molchmeister]

Why would you build a Win 10 PC now? Win 10 is EOL next October so your mom dare not use it for anything sensitive after then.

I had an unused product code laying around.

 

[Ralston18]

As for those "you have won" emails - set up her email account to accept emails only from senders in her contact list (family, friends, doctors).

Non-contact emails can be directed to a junk folder.

You will need to check the junk folder from time to time for valid emails: i.e., some allowed sender who changed their email address.

Not a perfect solution but may save some grief later on.

 

[cAllen]

W10 or W11 depends on your hardware choice...but W10 has offered another 5 years support...for a cost. The "New" Defender is not the save all many think it is...especially for those not tech savvy like older parents. In addition to Ralston18's advise, keep Malwarebytes (active version) and monitor Mom's box...at minimum.

I know first hand my elderly Mother-in-law requires this "extra" attention due to similar activity and knowledge. You might also look into Teamviewer for remote access and clean-up if she lives distant from you.

 

[geofelt]

Windows defender is quite good at detecting known viruses.
But, most viruses enter through "social engineering"
Do what you can to hide emails from other than known sources.
I would be particularly careful since banking is one use.
If there is no need for new credit, consider freezing credit through equifax. experian....
Set up an automated backup system.
Sooner or later she will get hacked or encounter ransomeware.

fwiw, I am not so hot for Alexa.

 

[faalin]

Also when setting up windows, make an Admin account and then make a User account for her. This will keep most things from "accidentally" being installed as it will prompt for an admin user name and password.

 

[punkncat]

The modern versions of Edge and Chrome allow you to export your sites/pass as a text file. I do not know if that works as far back as the versions for W7.

I was about to mention exactly what @faalin said, so that.

Team Viewer used to be a good choice but isn't as good as it used to be. Windows has a built in option for remote assistance, but I am not familiar enough with it to speak from experience.

I would for sure set up some 2FA for anything important, like the banking. It would probably be a good idea for you to discuss with her your having her email password and you personally go into her email every day and delete and/or check what is coming and going. This is a bit of loss of privacy but far better than being scammed in various ways.