Navigating Internet Safety for Seniors: A Guide to Protecting Your Loved Ones Online

In our increasingly digital world, ensuring that our loved ones can safely navigate the internet is not just important—it’s essential. This concern rings particularly true for my 75-year-old mother, who has developed a habit of clicking every link that catches her eye, irrespective of the source. As a result, she has fallen victim to numerous scams, although we’ve managed to recover her funds. Currently, her computer is a veritable minefield of malware and tracking cookies, posing a significant risk to her online experience.

Engaging in rational discussions about safe internet usage seems futile; any feedback is often perceived as criticism by her. Therefore, I’ve been seeking solutions that can be implemented on a network level to protect her computer and iPhone from dangerous websites without her needing to change her habitual actions.

Solution: Leveraging DNS Services for Enhanced Safety

One effective approach I’ve discovered involves using DNS services, which can filter internet traffic and help block access to harmful sites. Previously, OpenDNS offered a blacklist feature that allowed for easy tracking of dangerous links. While I’m not sure of the current alternatives, I’m on the lookout for DNS services that offer similar features and would be open to subscription options that meet these requirements.

Understanding the Technical Landscape

To give you a bit of background, I have a technical foundation that allows me to navigate settings and configurations, yet I’m not an expert in DNS services. My current setup involves AT&T U-verse and their proprietary gateway network, and while I’m considering integrating another device into her network, changing my internet provider isn’t an option at this time.

Progress and Future Steps

After receiving great suggestions from the community, I plan to kick off my efforts with NextDNS, which is promising for blocking undesirable content on her iPhone as well. Additionally, I will be enhancing the security settings on her Chrome browser and adding uBlock Origin to provide an added layer of protection. Down the line, I’m exploring the potential of a Raspberry Pi project to further bolster these efforts.

Thank you to everyone who contributed ideas and shared their experiences; I hope that this insight not only aids my mother but also supports any readers facing similar challenges with ensuring their loved ones’ safety online. Together, we can foster a safer internet experience for all, regardless of tech savviness!