Teenage Proofing a PC

[The_russian]

8 minutes ago, Slayerking92 said:

No, i just clicked on the blue "Order now" button, then clicked on the deep freeze standard box.
 

Spoiler

 

What browser are you using? I tried using Safari, Firefox, and Chrome and like mentioned above the button is white on white so I can only see it if I highlight that area. 

[Slayerking92]

2 minutes ago, The_russian said:

What browser are you using? I tried using Safari, Firefox, and Chrome and like mentioned above the button is white on white so I can only see it if I highlight that area. 

LOL, its white on white for me too.  I guess i just happened to click on the box in the right place.

[Kisai]

4 hours ago, Labrat309 said:

So I am about to pass on my previous gaming pc to my soon to be teenage son, I am trying to figure out the best way to "lock it down", I am not trying to block him from "learning things" as most do or did, I am trying to save the PC from spyware, malware, rootkits, etc.  And not be overloaded by virus's when he "learns things". Besides the normal antivirus, malware, spyware etc programs, is there anything else i don't know about? Would like him not to be able to move files or delete files either for drive safety also.

 

Sorry if wrong area to post, seemed the best fit.

I'd probably just say "don't bother", because a Linux boot disc/flash drive, or just "reset the OS" will destroy any time you sink into doing this anyway.

 

If you want to quasi-protect his PC, you might have better luck with just having a router configured to blackhole IP addresses you don't want him to visit and you will have to block known VPN and public DNS (eg 1.1.1.1 and 8.8.8.8) systems to avoid side-stepping it. 

 

Like I said in the first statement, don't bother, because the time you sink into doing anything like this is easily undone. It's better to just talk to him and if he's unwilling to take responsibility for what he does on the PC you will put it into a net-nanny mode where he has no administrative access, no bios access, and can't plug USB devices into it. But is it worth YOUR time to have him ask you for permission to update the web browser every week?

[Kisai]

3 hours ago, Ergroilnin said:

Well install at least ad blocker of some kind, hides a ton of the unwanted ads that lead to getting viruses etc.

Most ads are benign. Viruses and junk ads only show up on sites that themselves are engaging in illegal activity or if you've been blocking ads long enough that you only get the "free backfill" ads which are almost entirely garbage.

[wackoman6789]

Honestly if you want him to learn let him learn from his mistakes. As long as you're starting with a fresh install for him whats the harm of doing another fresh install if he does something wrong. Thats honestly how I learned.

[Lakobrija]

21 hours ago, IntMD said:

1.1.1.2 is just the malware blocker, so teen should still be able to hit up the pr0n sites that hopefully don't contain any malware. So that, along with something like Malware Bytes would probably be sufficient.

Does it have Default server name? For me it says unKnown, address is 1.0.0.2

[Bitter]

Speaking from experience, any time anyone (school or parent) did something to lock me out of some PC function it simply inspired me to learn how to circumvent it that much more. For better or for worse nothing could keep me from doing what I wanted on a PC. If they locked the door to the computer room I learned hot to unlock the door, if they changed the lock I learned how the new lock worked. If they got a lock I couldn't bypass I learned how to open the window from the outside. If they put a password on it, I learned how to take it off or bypass it. If they took the keyboard with them I bought my own. If they installed software I learned how to disable it.

 

You're not going to stop him/her/them from doing what they want when they want if you give it to them. My advice would be to give them full access but tell them 'you break it, you fix it'. If they break it and come crying to you about it tell them they'd better learn how to fix it! That being said, get them a cheap android tablet so they can at least look up how to fix it when they break it. Also if it's on a home network make sure it's not able to connect to other PC's via some router settings, like it on it's own subnet or something.

[Labrat309]

I appreciate the tips given by those who provided it, I will look into the 1.1.1.2/3 settings more, Microsoft family, and malwarebytes is a given on any of my computers. 

 

Those saying just let him learn how to fix it, you missed the entire point of the topic. He has been learning computers with me since 6, he knows quite a bit, but that doesn't change the fact we have pedophiles and ass hats making things like ransomware, rootkits, and programs to access and screw up your entire life by clicking a wrong link, yes he will be taught those things as he ages, but most don't understand the nastiness of the world until adulthood, I plan to let him enjoy his childhood for now.

 

Thanks again for the tips provided.

[Bitter]

50 minutes ago, Labrat309 said:

I appreciate the tips given by those who provided it, I will look into the 1.1.1.2/3 settings more, Microsoft family, and malwarebytes is a given on any of my computers. 

 

Those saying just let him learn how to fix it, you missed the entire point of the topic. He has been learning computers with me since 6, he knows quite a bit, but that doesn't change the fact we have pedophiles and ass hats making things like ransomware, rootkits, and programs to access and screw up your entire life by clicking a wrong link, yes he will be taught those things as he ages, but most don't understand the nastiness of the world until adulthood, I plan to let him enjoy his childhood for now.

 

Thanks again for the tips provided.

Well how old is he now? Teenager is like 13 to 18 lol. If he's like 11 then HECK YES PROTECT PROTECT but if he's like 16 it's different.

[Bombastinator]

On 4/16/2020 at 1:02 PM, Labrat309 said:

I will have to study up on this, I didn't know this was a thing that could be done.

 

would this affect any gaming apps like steam, or youtube for him?

Oh heck yes.  It was a joke I think.

[Dravinian]

On 4/16/2020 at 6:49 PM, Labrat309 said:

So I am about to pass on my previous gaming pc to my soon to be teenage son, I am trying to figure out the best way to "lock it down", I am not trying to block him from "learning things" as most do or did, I am trying to save the PC from spyware, malware, rootkits, etc.  And not be overloaded by virus's when he "learns things". Besides the normal antivirus, malware, spyware etc programs, is there anything else i don't know about? Would like him not to be able to move files or delete files either for drive safety also.

 

Sorry if wrong area to post, seemed the best fit.

Why not let him make his own mistakes and learn from them.

 

If you coddle him now, what happens when he walks away from you, off to college when data might actually be important, rather than just a format and re-install with some steam downloads.

 

Just give him the PC and let him learn, it is how I expect 90% of us did it, and he will quickly learn when the machine won't run and he can't get on PUBG/Fortnite with his friends.

[madmanbehindyou]

Install Lubuntu and then run windows in Virtual box on there

 

A. He'll learn about the deeper workings of computers configuration wise

 

B. He'll learn he has to get a good job to be able to afford his own PC which isn't locked down like London

[kelvinhall05]

On 4/17/2020 at 1:48 PM, Labrat309 said:

I appreciate the tips given by those who provided it, I will look into the 1.1.1.2/3 settings more, Microsoft family, and malwarebytes is a given on any of my computers. 

 

Those saying just let him learn how to fix it, you missed the entire point of the topic. He has been learning computers with me since 6, he knows quite a bit, but that doesn't change the fact we have pedophiles and ass hats making things like ransomware, rootkits, and programs to access and screw up your entire life by clicking a wrong link, yes he will be taught those things as he ages, but most don't understand the nastiness of the world until adulthood, I plan to let him enjoy his childhood for now.

 

Thanks again for the tips provided.

Put Linux on the PC instead of all that extra software or monitoring stuff or whatever.

 

 

Trust me, your kid will fucking despise you if you put stuff that blocks porn and monitors his usage, ESPECIALLY if you do it without him knowing. Great way to make him lose trust in you and potentially his interest in computers.

[Bombastinator]

32 minutes ago, kelvinhall05 said:

Put Linux on the PC instead of all that extra software or monitoring stuff or whatever.

 

 

Trust me, your kid will fucking despise you if you put stuff that blocks porn and monitors his usage, ESPECIALLY if you do it without him knowing. Great way to make him lose trust in you and potentially his interest in computers.

This is actually an option.  Linux can run steam and browsers and it has absolutely fantastic privelidges settings.  There is a few games that don’t run.  Here’s the Machiavellian bit:  inform him that it is possible to run Windows inside a virtual machine with a pass through for the video card that would allow him to play any windows game he wants to.  But don’t set it up for him.  If he wants to do that he can do it himself.   This is true.  Linux really can do that.  There’s a hitch though: it’s not simple.  He will have to learn a LOT about how the system works to make it function.  Enough to make him employable possibly.  

[kelvinhall05]

Just now, Bombastinator said:

This is actually an option.  Linux can run steam and browsers and it has absolutely fantastic privelidges settings.  There is a few games that don’t run.  Here’s the Machiavellian bit:  inform him that it is possible to run Windows inside a virtual machine with a pass through for the video card that would allow him to play any windows game he wants to.  But don’t set it up for him.  If he wants to do that he can do it himself.   This is true.  Linux really can do that.  There’s a hitch though: it’s not simple.  He will have to learn a LOT about how the system works to make it function.  Enough to make him employable possibly.  

The only games that I haven't been able to get working on Linux with just Proton or Wine (and occasinally Lutris but I generally only play Steam games regardless of OS) are ones that use anticheat like Battleye.

[Bombastinator]

3 minutes ago, kelvinhall05 said:

The only games that I haven't been able to get working on Linux with just Proton or Wine (and occasinally Lutris but I generally only play Steam games regardless of OS) are ones that use anticheat like Battleye.

There’s also some very new Triple a stuff.  Fortnight, COD, and basically all the fps stuff have ports already.  It’s something that only might come up.

[kelvinhall05]

4 minutes ago, Bombastinator said:

There’s also some very new Triple a stuff.  Fortnight, COD, and basically all the fps stuff have ports already.  It’s something that only might come up.

Ah, in that case, Windows would be the way to go...for gaming, anyway.

 

I find that with the exception of like *one* game that I play and, recently anyway, my friends bugging me to play CoD: Warzone, I am totally happy gaming on Linux and MUCH happier actually getting shit done and using my computer every day on Linux.

[Bombastinator]

3 minutes ago, kelvinhall05 said:

Ah, in that case, Windows would be the way to go...for gaming, anyway.

 

I find that with the exception of like *one* game that I play and, recently anyway, my friends bugging me to play CoD: Warzone, I am totally happy gaming on Linux and MUCH happier actually getting shit done and using my computer every day on Linux.

Linux is fantastic after you’ve gotten over the learning hump.  This is why I like the virtualization/pass through option.  It would push him over that hump and then some.