How to share a family PC without going crazy - Part 3: Basic security measures

By Ed Tittel

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Once everybody’s got an account, it’s important for them to understand how to use it. Essentially, that means showing family members how to log into the PC, and helping them to pick passwords they can remember (and use) to gain access to the machine.

We discuss some of these basic measures in a short video tutorial here.

With those mechanics established, what’s next is to explain (and agree on) guidelines for Internet use. Many families employ some kind of content filter to prevent users from accessing inappropriate materials online, or to restrict what may be viewed on limited accounts to what’s called “family friendly content.”

The Australian Internet Industry Association (iia) operates a “Guide for Internet Users” online that explains various content filtering services and software available, and also offers a list of IIA Family Friendly Filters. Though it includes items likely to be outside the interest of families in North America, this remains one of the best resources on this subject matter and on a controlled approach to Internet content access. Whether or not you decide to use such tools in your family or not, it’s important to establish clear guidelines as to what kinds of content is acceptable and what kinds are not, and to explain (or show, if necessary) that Internet history and browser monitoring tools makes it easy to tell who’s been looking at what sites and for how long whenever the administrator might wish to do so. Get the family to agree on what’s OK and what’s off limits, and discuss how exceptions might be requested, and what kinds of consequences will adhere to those who step outside these boundaries (loss of access or imposition of a tight filter are pretty typical remedies in such cases).

Family members also need basic e-mail education if they’re going to read and save e-mail on the family PC. Drill the following rules into everybody’s head until they’re second nature:

1. Never open e-mail attachments you’re not expecting to receive, not even from another family member. When in doubt, don’t open attachments!
2. Never respond to e-mail requests for personal or financial data. Financial institutions and companies generally have policies that prohibit e-mailing such information, and state clearly they won’t use e-mail to request such information, either. When in doubt, get on the phone to the company or organization in question (and double-check the phone number on the company Web site or in the phone book).
3. Never respond to unsolicited e-mail offers, advertisements, or deals. All that does is advise spammers that they are sending to a "live" account and encourages them to keep sending more spam.