STORM2K

1. We use a cable modem, and do not use AOL
2. My kids registered with AIM and use the version for non AOL users
3. They are supposed to use it on our "B" computer (the kids computer)
4. Kids are kids - they got on my computer
4. My computer got viruses, trojans, and a sticky keyboard.


Question: Would we be better off getting an AOL account (AOL for broadband) to get the protections that they advertise to go with AIM?

It took me most of the evening to clean up this mess. 'Puter seems ok now.

Gone are the days when you could say - go ride your bike! Climb a tree....huh?

Glad you got that straightened out Ed. But you didn't need this headache!

Mary

PS - once Laura popped a Pokemon small CD Rom into our Mac, that came in a box of cereal. It wouldn't play, wouldn't eject, the whole computer locked up. Computer had to go in the shop. She was much younger then but she still has to hear about that idea!

Coriolis- don't know how old your kids are or what kind of sites they go to, but my kids have messed up our computer on various game sites and music lyric sites.

So far we have had no problems with AIM and we don't have AOL either.

My husband has spent several evenings undoing what they have unknowingly done.

As for kids, they are determined aren't they? Mine are always trying to get on my computer instead of the one they are supposed to use. I have mine password protected to keep my 13 year old off.

coriolis wrote:1. We use a cable modem, and do not use AOL

Question: Would we be better off getting an AOL account (AOL for broadband) to get the protections that they advertise to go with AIM?

No. There isn't any reason to pay to get the protections when you can get the protections for free.

Spyware: I use Adware, Spybot and MS Spyware (can't remember name). They are all free and can be downloaded at http://www.download.com. I use all three, because sometimes one program won't catch everything. They are user-friendly and the MS one can be set up to scan at a certain time.

Virus Scans: I subscribe (ie pay) to McAfee, but there is free program that is pretty good (but I can't think of the name of the program). All virus scan programs allow you to set a time to scan for viruses.

AIM: Go to preferences. You can set the preferences, so it has asks before downloading / receiving files (or won't let you download or receive files).

Profiles: You can set up a "profile" on your computer for your kids. You set the paramter of what they can do and you make sure that profile doesn't have authorization to install anything. That prohibition may stop a virus or trojan from installing on the computer.


ETA: AVG Anti-Virus is the free virus scan program.

Do NOT Pay for AOL. and do what lurker_from_nc said, specifically #4

Thanks, I have the Adaware, Spybot (teatimer too), McAfee virus, and Zone alarm. I also run Hijack This to see how I'm doing. The MS virus program doesn't work with my OS (WIN ME )

I had to start it up in safe mode to even get it to boot. Disconnected the cable, and disabled system restore so that I could clean the viruses out of the restore files. Good thing that I updated all the tools in the last couple of days.

Anyway, I'll look into setting up profiles and AIM preferences. I don't see a lot of benefit in it asking them before installing something, because the bad guys out there would be able to trick them.

I know what to do: I'll disconnect the cable modem and take it to work with me in my briefcase. Every day after school: a gang of teenagers gathered around our computer blasting rap music, going who knows where on the internet, and eating our food.

One thing about setting up a separate profile for your kids and limiting their ability to install programs is that you will know what is being put on the computer.

Only you will be able to install programs through your "profile" (which should be set as a Computer adminstrator, the kid's will be a "limited" account). You can also control your kid's access to programs in their profile. So, if you want to "cut" access to the Internet, you can do so without taking the cable modem to work with you (as long as your profile is password protected).

One more thing, something weathermom said reminded me of something:

What browser are you using and do you use pop-up ad blockers? Malicious scripts can invade your computer (especially gaming and music lyric sites) through pop-up ads. Kids will usually click on them not knowing not to click on them.

We have Symantec (Norton) 2005 anti-everything, plus Microsoft Beta1 AntiSpyware installed. I can clean out the crap Coppertop brings back from his Desktop (spyware, viruses, etc.), but...somehow...he managed to disable Norton just to get on the Net (meaning Debi and I have to do it on our separate Desktops), then enable it only for scanning/cleaning out.

I have NO idea how he did this, but I do have some notions as to why: Xanga, some "interactive" gaming, certain blogsites, etc.

Since he's been back home, Ad-and-Spyware needs to be cleared every day, and I have managed to keep viruses out, so far.

Oh, no - you folks just reminded me, again - Thank God that I am
the sole user on my PC!

I can do enough damage without any help!

Must be nice, Annette!

Ed, I had to deal with my ex's pre-teen on MY computer, quite a
few years ago - he was better than any Starfleet captain - he
managed to go where no man has gone before, AND, brought
half the galaxy back on the harddrive, with him!

I will say in defense of aol, it is good to use if you have kids. Their parental controls are great. I had 2 teens and i saw what sites my son was visiting. I put a stop to that rather quickly! AOL is very user friendly for kids also. As a parent who used aol, I do recommend it if you need to control your kids.

breeze wrote:Ed, I had to deal with my ex's pre-teen on MY computer, quite a
few years ago - he was better than any Starfleet captain - he
managed to go where no man has gone before, AND, brought
half the galaxy back on the harddrive, with him!

Yeah, gotta like those alien chicks.

Yeh the viruses and trojans are probably from the things they are dl'ing. Most of the stuff won't go away unless you delete the program they dl'ed that was bundled with it. Good luck!

JQ Public wrote:Yeh the viruses and trojans are probably from the things they are dl'ing. Most of the stuff won't go away unless you delete the program they dl'ed that was bundled with it. Good luck!

Just because, you delete program that was bundled with the spyware, doesn't mean the spyware is deleted. When you install it, the spyware makes a home for itself in your registry and can be difficult to remove even with spyware removers. And the only way to absolutely delete the spyware is to completely re-format the hard drive.


The best thing is to avoid programs bundled with spyware. There are spyware sites that tell what programs install "spyware" with their programs.

http://www.spywareinfo.com and http://www.spywareguide.com

Computers are relatively cheap - especially to scare-up a bare-bones system that will surf the net. There are also these kids' keyboards and mice that are almost Cat-5-proof. You should be able to build yourself a sturdy little kid's computer that they can surf and do homework with. You can also get a system without a floppy-drive, and - if USB-friendly - without even a CD-rom drive. This will keep viruses from hitchhiking on other medium. Get with your local "computer guy" (everybody seems to have one), and get them to fortify the PC as far as where it can go, etc. There are programs like NetNanny (I think that's the name), that babysits the surfers. I think that chat is definitely a no-no. It can be disabled (Instant Messenger). So, worst case, it's the kid's system that breaks or gets all crawly with a bug. DO NOT network it to your "grownup" PC! One more tip is to put the kid-pc in a family room where you can glance over at what is going on with it. Until your kids become "legal", you have the right and also the responsibility to do this. They are prey to the sickies out there, and believe me, they are real. Keeping your kids safe is worth hearing some whining about where they can surf and so-forth.

My kids were told when they got their own email addresses that they would never have privacy on the computer in our home. The computer is in the living/family room (no formal living room in my house) and I often sit behind them. I also point out to them the frequency of the articles in our newspaper about sickos on the computer trying to meet kids and......
I'll leave the details off of the end of that sentence.

lots of good advice - thanks!

Yes the kid's computer is a 350 mhz machine, so if anything gets too messed up, I could shoot it and put it out of its misery. The machines are not networked. We use separate IP addresses for the two machines.

I still have'nt gotten around to the separate identities. I will, I promise!

Another idea to prevent further infiltration - sounds like most of you are on Windows machines and pretty security-savvy - is to disable Active X controls and plug-ins in the younger kids' system profiles / machines. This severely limits the number of websites that will load into your browser, including any embedded malware. It also prevents safe game sites like Clever Clubhouse from loading, but you sometimes have to choose between a healthy system and a rapid-fire mouse-clicking 5 year old. Break out the stack of game CDs, or send 'em outside to play

I run a 5-machine wireless network at home, and my family keeps me pretty darn busy fighting the good fight for healthy computing.

When you can't be there 24/7, set password-protected controls if your security software allows it. I run Norton Internet Security 2005 and have every site blocked on my 12 year old's computer. This requires me to review the site she wishes to visit and if I deem it okay, then I add it to the existing allowed list. Use strong passwords ( http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/privacy/password.mspx )if you wish to set this up. Wannabe pre-teen hackers won't get access to the settings with ease. Since instant-gratification generally wanes quickly with children at this age, they'll give up trying to figure out the password - unless you have a budding Kevin Mitnick on your hands.

If you'd like to check your system's virus and security status info, the site I use when fixing client computers is http://housecall.trendmicro.com/. It's free, and removes any existing virii, spyware and cookies. A nice additional tool to add to your arsenal of existing software.

Remember to always update your software!

Edited to include: Sorry, I have no security suggestions for the teenage fridge raids other than a big ole lock.