No, don't think Linux is the answer... not for the 70 - 80 percent that can't figure out a PC. ;-)

GG asks if there is a better way? I don't believe so, not with the given situation... To be certain government legislation might reduce some of the spam annoyances and the like. Hell, if Microsoft would pay even the slightest attention to security and a proper browser a huge number of issues could be prevented! (not MS bashing there, just a statement of fact)

For my part I'm a freelance tech/web design type... when I'm done cleaning a client's system they get an itemize list of what was done and why. What programs I loaded for them and written instructions regarding their use... I give them the tools, it's up to them to use them after I've done the heavy lifting. That's not to say I don't get repeat business either! ;-) I have one client who just has to see the latest and greatest in the area of Paris H. video... he'll dig and dig. Until they flat out lock him up and he can't boot the system! I give him a bad time about his browsing habits, gently...

Even in Web Design there are measures you can take. If it's simply using a script for forms that stores the actual recipeint email address in the script, rather than it being right there in the source.