Google Chromebook and Antivirus?

[allheart55 (Cindy E)]

My 4 year old grandson is getting a Google ChromeBook for Christmas. My granddaughter wants me to set it up for him. I've heard that it has it's own built in protection but I haven't seen it and I'm a little skeptical as to how well it would work. What do you recommend, if anything, Pete, for antivirus or antimalware?

 

[starbuck]

Hi Cindy,

Basically the OS is the AV.
You cannot install 3rd party software.
In fact, there are no programmes you can install at all.
It's based on Cloud Computing... so nothing is saved to the ChromeBook.

The Chromebook is based on Linux.
If anything goes wrong with your Chromebook it is very easy to reset it to the default factory settings and continue where you left off.

 

[allheart55 (Cindy E)]

Oh, okay. That makes sense. This is a first for me. Thanks, Pete!

 

[starbuck]

To be honest, it sounds perfect for kids. ( and some adults I can think of lol )

 

[allheart55 (Cindy E)]

I'm thinking the exact same thing!

 

[peterr]

We got a Chromebook for my wife and now I am using it. Security - multiple layers of encryption, ease and effectiveness. There is nothing I cannot do that I could with Win 10. The web store has many secure apps.
I am sold on them for me and it was intended for my Windows illiterate wife.
If you like to tinker, maintain and repair it is not for you. It is simple and cares for itself.

 

[N3]

Can one use it in a wifi application? Can you send & receive email? YouTube capable?

 

[allheart55 (Cindy E)]

Yes, yes and yes.

 

[peterr]

Go to a store and try one. The only trouble I had, if you can call it that, is with the different touch pad. Two fingers is a right click and the pad is a bit sensitive. I acclimated in a day or two.
I know many businesses and schools who have gotten Chromebooks in lieu of Windows.

It is not a cheap replacement for a laptop but rather an inexpensive way of computing. My Acer 14 with 4 GB RAM was $ 260. and does everything the laptop did and easily. The lack of security worry and upkeep is so time saving.

I am into tinkering etc so will stay with Windows as I find problem solving fun. I also like a desktop.

For obvious reasons however, my wife brings the Chromebook out and it certainly beats the desktop/laptop for portability. It is thin and light made of aluminum. It is a browser so requires internet for most but not all you do. But the layers of encryption allow us to feel safe with WI Fi without a/v or anti malware. There is no more scanning.

It will soon have an android O.S.

 

[N3]

Can you attach an external mouse & webcam?

 

[allheart55 (Cindy E)]

I don't think so, at least not both of them.
My grandson's Chromebook only has one USB port.

 

[peterr]

Most like mine, and all that I have seen or heard about, come with a camera and mic built in as do laptops. If any do not, one can be attached but you have to check for compatibility if they are third party. As I said, almost all have the built in webcam. I use video chats with hangouts[android version of Skype], oovoo and Skype.

 

[N3]

Ok, thanks to all for the information.

 

[peterr]