this post was submitted on 16 Dec 2025
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Just installed Mint for my elderly in-laws (midwest.social)
submitted 3 weeks ago by falk1856@midwest.social to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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When I was visiting my wife's family for Thanksgiving, my father-in-law told me that his laptop was telling him that if he didn't upgrade to Win11 he be vulnerable to all sorts of malware. They're both retired and on a fixed income so he was panicking over buying a new machine. I put Mint on his existing laptop and walked him through its use. Fingers crossed that he'll be able to handle it. I haven't had any support calls from him yet but I'll find out how it's going when I see him in a few days.

Does anyone have any tips for supporting older family members on Linux if they have absolutely no experience with it?

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[–] hexagonwin@lemmy.sdf.org 5 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

have tailscale installed on their machine, and ssh/vnc(x0vncserver or x11vnc) daemon running on it. when they call you for help you can just login directly and navigate them through stuff.

[–] muusemuuse@sh.itjust.works 9 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

You don’t need tailscale and honestly you should not use it unless you actually need it.

Put an icon for rustdesk on the desktop. Tell them if they ever need your help that’s how you can remote in to fix it. Only run it when you need remote access.

Never ever set up auto launching remote connections or tunnels that aren’t actually needed. You will create more security problems than you solve.

[–] inzen@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago

While I appriciate the security concers of having a "back door"(tailscale), having an icon for a support app for non techy elderly is also a security risk. That being said I use both for supporting my elderly mother. Having tailscale can be a lifesaver if she says the screen is black or she has no mouse. I can ssh in and check for hardware issues on remote restart.

[–] hexagonwin@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

isn't it possible to configure it so that only one of my machines is able to connect to the target machine (and not the other way around)? not sure how that's problematic.

i never used rustdesk so can't comment on that..

i also use reverse ssh to forward the target machine's port to mine when i can't use tailscale.

[–] muusemuuse@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago

Think of rustdesk as splitting the difference between teamviewer and bomgar. But open source and actually fucking works in Linux.

If that machine is listening and waiting for something outside to be let in automatically once a condition is met, it’s not set up correctly. Only allow remote access on demand. Anything else is irresponsible.

[–] cyberwolfie@lemmy.ml 1 points 3 weeks ago

I set up VNC to only allow connections from localhost on my mother's computer, and then forward the required port via SSH when I need to connect. SSH is set up to only allow public key authentication. Works quite well