How can I scare someone into getting a AV?

My brother in law and sister in law got a computer for a wedding and christmas present and They don't have a AV (or atleast that's what they said). I tolg them they have to get one. I also sent them All kinds of stories about AVs and internet security and they think they are untouch able be cause they don't open emails unless it from someone they know. I also tried to tell them to get a firewall, anti spyware program (gave them links to all that I know is safe and the ones that work good). I also told them about ATs but they seem to be thickheaded on this. Is they any way I can scare them without harming them? I remember that there was a link somewhere that if you clicked on it, it would open you CD door. Maybe that would scare them into listening to me. Any ideas?


PS. if this is the wrong place I'm sorry. I wasn't sure where this post should go.

 

It probably won't take too long before they get nailed. That usually wakes people up.
Since they don't want to pay attention to you, try to at least convince them not to put any important numbers or information on their computer. That way when they get hit, the damage won't be irreversable.
It's amazing how stubborn some people can be, especially when it comes to advice from family.
I would suggest sending a harmless virus to prove the point, but that is questionable at best and I think they will manage to find their own.
Hey, all we can do is try.

 

Hey Notageek.

Tell them to visit spywareinfo forum and/or computing.net "Security and Virus" forum.(I'm sure there are more forums.)
There are always examples of people being hit by spyware,viruses,trojans at these forums.

It might be a good idea to suggest bookmarking some forums for help and support when the inevitable happens.

Sometimes all you can do is warn people and hope for the best.

 

I had a similar experience with some of my family members and friends. It's amazing how many people seem confinced that nasties only come from an email attachment like the old days. Best we can do is inform others and let them make the choice. Something that really bothers me is when someone in an online computer forum or newsgroup or whatever advises people not to worry about security and prevention because they say the odds are in the user's favor in not getting struck. I came across a post like that today in a local web site forum. Sort of burns me up. There was one thread that I came across awhile back in the PC Pitstop forums where many users suggested not worrying about safety and security in order to get a higher score for performance of their systems..........not smart in my opinion.

 

A higher performance score isn't worth much when your PC does a "crash and burn".

 

Thanks guys for the info. I sent them to all the pages I had in my bookmarks. I just have a feeling that they will come down with a virus. I guess I'll let them learn the hard way.

 

hi notageek,
dunno whether i am saying the right process but i have always known... do in Rome what the Romans do....
Now they dun listen to your valuable advices... maybe ..maybe you can do this
get one remote administrating tool and then plant the server in your in-law's computer ..you being the administrator.
then do some funny things like... shut down, restart or even sending msges like "you are hacked or virus attack" with the help of the tool..
maybe that can make them realise the world out here is not so friendly...
BUT..BUT... do think twice in doing this and dont harm yourself in return...
I am saying again... I am sorry if this comes out to be a dreadful advice... but all for a good cause.. just to make them understand whats the fact

 

Here is my experience with people who refuse to listen. A friend of ours who got his computer with a firewall and AV installed, promptly unistalled it because he deemed it to be a nuisance and said "if it isn't broken, why fix it". I emailed right back and said but if you do not protect your computer it will soon be broken and so will your wallet to the tune of $90.00/hr [exaggeration $ figure to make a point] to fix it. My return email was "installed it all back" and that I made my point. Moral of the story: When the wallet may be hard hit, people sit up and listen. Since then he has happily installed all the anti-spyware software that was recommended.

 

Peaches, I explained to them that it will be costly if they don't use any kind of protection. This is what I was told by my brother in law and sister in law. " I have a warranty on this computer and if anything goes wrong it can be fixed for free.." LOL I'm not sure about.

Subratam, I don't really see the in laws much cuz they live far away. I don't think I'll see them until my wifes Bday and that's even might just be meeting to go and eat. I don't think I'll have a chance to be at their house. I know they have AOL. and that can be a hotbed for Trojans and key loggers.

 

I hope they realize that a computer crash by way of virus or trojan is not covered under warranty. Frankly, when people have that mindset, they need to find out for themselves the hard way. What you need to do is because of their attitude is be very wary of any mail from them ... double check back or when in serious doubt simply delete but I think you already know that. One thing people like them do not realize is that when their computer is compromised, they may well be spreading the infections to everyone on their email list. I have a neighbor who had that attitude about a year ago and I threatened to block all mail from her unless she cleaned up her act. I also asked her to remove my name off her email list if she wishes to continue without decent computer security ... she listened especially when her computer became totally unusable!! I had bailed her out once but refused the next time and so it hit her wallet nice & hard as well.

 

Hey notageek, maybe you could send them one of these in an e-mail, they would probably open one from you, or maybe put Microsofts name on it. (under the guise of testing their e-mail to see if it works)https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=19550 replys 13 or 14. Maybe this would make the point that even when you open an e-mail from someone you trust, you never know what's in it. Especially if it's forwarded mail!

 

We all live and learn from our own mistakes and others. Luckily one of the Forums I go too told me about needing a FireWall and that was years ago.

Some just have to learn the hard way even though it can harm others computers.


I had a neighbor that I cleaned up their computer for them 2 times and the last time it crashed from being full of Trojans, Viruses and Spyware. I said that since they would not follow my advise that I would not do it again.

It did cost them about $300 to get it cleaned up and back running again.

Randy

 

BJ - you mean send something like this ....?? oooh!!

 

Yes. If that didn't some convincing, then there would be no hope at all.

 

LOL Beetlejuice, I will take a look at that post and if it takes sending them something like that than so be it.

Peaches, Thanks for the info. I told them from day 1 that the warranty wouldn't cover virues but they believe otherwise. I don't open emails from them at all. I even told them that if they email I won't open them I will delete them until they wise up.

My brother in law and sister in law are really hard headed. I'm sorry to say that but they are. I don't even think they updated MS yet. LOL I told them and even showed when I was out there for Christmas but they said they'll get it later and I'm sure they didn't update.

Goonman, thanks for the info. I think I'll pass that along to them as well.

 

and if you want to make them understand how safe their Browser is

 

LOL They use the AOL Browser which I think is a hacked up version of IE

 

moreover... doz they kno.... how great Windows is as an operating system.... i think they know... or they... nah .. leave it... just send them the extras!!! "they" send to those using Windows....

 

Oh dear, I think this is what will happen after all those messages ....

 

LOL i'm sending all og these messages. Lets see what they say when they wake up and et the emails. thanks

 

and.. then.... he should get this .... after all emails ... they say are the only thing they do need and no threat is there.... hope they do understand... emails are not less a threat... and have they bought the recent tool from "them" ??... coz... they will be needing this a lot... if they dont listen to you
by the way... what version of OS they are using?? 95..98...NT...XP...??

 

I think we all have an evil side to us when it comes to convincing someone else of our point. In a humorous sort of way is what I'm saying. It could create more problems than it solves though. I would say that we should try to get our point across and if someone else doesn't accept it...........then let it go. Kind of like raising children. Do the best you can then there will be no guilt (only concern) if they have to learn the hard way.

 

If it wasn't family I wouldn't even bother.

 

Sometimes families are the least to listen especially if you are younger than they are ... watch out!! As the youngest of my clan, it was always "what does she know, she is just a kid"! As suggested here, it may well be best to let it go cuz ya ain't gonna convince them no matter what. All you can do is sit back & wait for it to happen. However, we did have fun with crazy animations...