Need advice on an in-law problem

[Amethyst Hunter]

My brother and his family recently moved to be closer to us. They haven't gotten around to setting up their computer yet, partially because of internet costs. Unfortunately, we're in the boonies where high-speed internet (aka civilization) has not yet made it this far, so the only thing we can get is dialup. My brother *refuses* to go with dialup. (Not that I can blame him much, but hey, you take what you can get, yanno?)

As a result, they've been coming over and using my computer to do their stuff. Now, this doesn't happen every single day - if I had to guess, it's been more like about once or twice a week, week and a half. And it's not like they're visiting porn sites or surfing for stupid shit. They use it mainly to check bank statements, fill out online job applications (my SIL), and check MySpace and these Coke reward things (also SIL). (Yes, I do 'supervise' while they're using it.)

Now, I don't like ANYbody touching my computer, simply because I'm VERY territorial about my stuff and VERY touchy about my computer in general. I don't even like my parents using it (which, thankfully, is extremely rare). But I can't exactly say no without becoming The Asshole and starting a big fight (with my parents). But I've noticed that ever since bro and fam started using my computer, I've been picking up a LOT more adware and crapware with my antivirus (AVG) than I normally do. Tonight, I ran a scan after they were just over here, and the scan caught a Trojan horse. This is the first time I've ever caught anything like that.

(As a side note, the antivirus says it moved the Trojan to the Virus Vault, so does that mean it's safe now? Also, what does the "Empty Virus Vault" option mean, will it let loose all the crap I captured during scans or does it zap it into oblivion?)

I want to tell them that this shit stops now. I can't afford another mess like the spyware that hit me in June, or, God forbid, something even worse. I DO NOT trust MySpace since I've heard so many bad things about it, and if I had to guess, I'd lay odds that that's where a good deal of this garbage (until now, it's been all tracking cookie crap) is coming from. Bank statements, I can understand and don't have a problem with, but this MySpace shit and Coke rewards and other junk is NOT important and can wait until they get their own system going, as far as I'm concerned.

I just need to figure out how to do it so that they understand and nobody gets upset... :( Everybody's on good terms and I'd like to keep it that way - but like I said, I'm protective of my stuff and I don't want it messed up.

Ideas?

[tropicsgoddess]

What kind of computer and OS do you have? If you have windows, I would suggest making your account password protected.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I would say that the computer is down for repairs. Because of a trojan horse infection.

It should be down for a couple weeks, if you understand me.

If and when you decide it's been down long enough, make sure they understand that certain sites are off limits, due to the inherent problems they spawn. Can you block myspace and stuff like that? I dont' know anything about blocking stuff, but I bet you can. Anyone know anything about that?

Let me understand this, he won't get dialup, but he'll come over and use YOUR dialup? :headscratch:

I'd tell him his internet activities have screwed up your computer and you want to prevent that happening.

Take it from me, being The Asshole is not a fatal condition. ;) Sometimes, being The Asshole can be incredibly refreshing and liberating.

[Pedersen]

PM me your physical address (or a physical address I can send a disk to). I'll mail a DVD and a CD of Knoppix to you. When they come to use the computer, you reboot using that, and let them go online using that. Nothing ever gets to touch the hard drive, so no chance of malware. Heck, they don't even get to save their bookmarks.

Your account gets password locked, so that only you can login in case they decide to reboot into Windows for some reason.

Finally: The Virus Vault is where the malware is sent when it's found. It's also de-activated, so can't do anything while in there. You can keep it for research purposes if you like. Empty Virus Vault deletes the contents, so that they are gone.

[Evil Queen]

If she wants a disk that's all hers, she can go to Ubuntu's website and order a disk for free. Doesn't even cost you shipping (I got Hardy Haron this way). They don't even send you junk mail.

For the record, I would ask for the newest version with 8.04 LTS (Long Term Support).

And no picking on me for using Ubuntu Pedersen! :p

[SteeleDragon78]

If she wants a disk that's all hers, she can go to Ubuntu's website and order a disk for free. Doesn't even cost you shipping (I got Hardy Haron this way). They don't even send you junk mail.

For the record, I would ask for the newest version with 8.04 LTS (Long Term Support).

And no picking on me for using Ubuntu Pedersen! :p

i use an older version of ubuntu to fix disk problems, why would anyone bash the one of the best diagnostic programs on the net???

but like they said running a linux live cd would allow them to surf quite safely and would keep your pc fully protected from bugs. the other option if you have xp pro or 2kpro would be to setup a ultra limited user account that would not allow cookies or any other downloadable object. but that is an ultra extreme option and would require very specific settings and configuration.

but i like RecoveringKinkoid's idea, trust me being an asshole is quite liberating. :devil:

[Evil Queen]

No Bashing involved, Steele. Pedersen just think's it's amazing how geeky I am while being a girl. :D

And a damned cute one at that! :p



Anyways, being an asshole isn't always bad. Hell, I'm a real bitch when I need to be. :D
"I'm an asshole too, Dennis (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=552NcxKHufY)!" (Possibly NSFW)

[SteeleDragon78]

No Bashing involved, Steele. Pedersen just think's it's amazing how geeky I am while being a girl. :D

And a damned cute one at that! :p

he should meet some of the girls i hang out with. linux users who write their own perl apps, and have time for my used-to-be weekly dnd games. and most were scary when it came to con time. more than my share of fur bikini clad cat girls, aaahh, i miss it..... sorry, say it loud "IM A GEEK AND IM PROUD"

[Amethyst Hunter]

but i like RecoveringKinkoid's idea, trust me being an asshole is quite liberating. :devil:

Well, see, here's the thing. I'm on good terms with my brother and his family. I'd really like to keep it that way because I have no real reason to be antagonistic towards them; as much as SIL and I might hold virulently opposing views on certain subjects, we get along pretty well.

Also, I live with my parents. Brother (obviously) does not. Brother can stand on his own two feet, so to speak. At this point in time and for the foreseeable future, I cannot.

If I tell my parents that NO ONE but me is allowed to touch that computer, they're going to get all pissed off and demand why (and they know even less than I do about computer stuff, so that's pretty bad) and pretty much give me an ultimatum: give in or get out. That's just the way they are, and there's nothing I can do about it, much though I hate it. :(

So yeah. A little diplomacy is necessary, I'm afraid.

[SteeleDragon78]

ok, so everything else we said would work then. sorry bout the situation, got the coffee mug from my stint there, best of luck

[iradney]

Charge em rent for using the PC :) Nothin huge, but if for example, SIL makes to die for pies, say they can use the PC for a weekly pie. Or something. Hell, you're giving em something, they should give you something in return!

[minchazo]

Heh, I'd do something much simpler. Tell them you had a trojan (or virus if they can't figure out what that is) and that some websites aren't working correctly. Then go to (assuming you have Win XP):

C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\

... and edit the 'hosts' file in notepad (not Word or another word processor). Add a line like:

127.0.0.1 www.myspace.com

Now, every time they try to access myspace, they'll get a 'page cannot be found.' Everything else will work, just not myspace :devil:

Wow, I just noticed, that's kinda technical. Not quite as 'simple' as I originally thought. Let me know if you want more info...

[RetailWorkhorse]

O.O

....Bloody BRILLIANT, Minchazo!

[SteeleDragon78]

Heh, I'd do something much simpler. Tell them you had a trojan (or virus if they can't figure out what that is) and that some websites aren't working correctly. Then go to (assuming you have Win XP):

C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\

... and edit the 'hosts' file in notepad (not Word or another word processor). Add a line like:

127.0.0.1 www.myspace.com

Now, every time they try to access myspace, they'll get a 'page cannot be found.' Everything else will work, just not myspace :devil:

Wow, I just noticed, that's kinda technical. Not quite as 'simple' as I originally thought. Let me know if you want more info...


thats soooo wonderfully beautifuly evil, i LOVE IT

[Pedersen]

And no picking on me for using Ubuntu Pedersen! :p

Wouldn't dream of picking on you for using Ubuntu. Ubuntu is actually my second favorite distro (Debian being first).

However, different needs are met by the Ubuntu disk and the Knoppix disk.

Knoppix is meant to be a portable workstation, basically. As such, you will very rarely do anything to install/change the base.

Ubuntu is meant to be an installer and a rescue disk. As such, you're very rarely going to fire up an Ubuntu live cd to go and surf the web.

All of that being said, though, I'll even throw in a copy of Ubuntu :)

[Emrld]

Amethyst Hunter

It can be hard to keep the peace amongst family.
Do you pay for the dial up connection or do you parents?
Did you purchase the computer? or was it a gift? or does it belong to your parents and you use it?

I am familiar with feeling protective of what I considered "mine" and "mine alone" when I moved back into the parental's.
On a computer I understand . . . virus. . .loss of something important . . .someone changes where your shortcuts are etc.
As for the rest honestly they are objects. You need to decide if you really want items to have that high a value/ that much control over your emotions. (Only you know what's best for you - I don't know what's best for you - I just want the best for you)

[FuzzyKitten99]

Ok, Amethyst... are you using Windows XP or Vista?
Who are you using for Dial-up?

Second, I have AVG myself (best one out there!) and your computer is fine. AVG caught it, so it has not infected your system. But your IL's don't know that.

Tell them that they are not allowed on your computer until you get it 'fixed'.

Then, for Windows XP/Vista, as an administrator, create a 2nd windows log-in account for guests. Do the same thing with your dial-up, except limit the sites that are accessible to 'business-only' sites, like banks and bills, like you would porn and inappropriate sites for kids/teens.

[Geek King]

But I can't exactly say no without becoming The Asshole and starting a big fight (with my parents).

[...]

Ideas?

Okay, you can say no without being an asshole. If your parents insist, offer to let them pay for virus removal. A few rounds of bills, and even they'll get the point. If you do it, $30 per hour, one hour minumum is reasonable.

Alternatively, tell your relatives to bring their own PC/laptop. You'll allow them use of the monitor/keyboard/mouse, but they have to ruin their own damn tower. There is no reason to allow them to screw up a PC that you paid for, or even do unpaid support for. Yes, they'll whine, but you won't look like the bad guy because you're still offering your connection.

Third idea--and this just came to me--get into a hobby that takes you out of the house most nights. If you're not there, they can't be either, right? :devil: