Internet usage among seniors has increased significantly. Seniors can gain from technology in a variety of ways, including by using it to stay in touch with their communities, receive basic goods and services without having to leave their homes, and communicate with loved ones. So it’s important to stay secure online.
Cybercriminals can target anyone, and there are numerous ways for attacks to happen. For anyone who spends time online, but especially for elders, avoiding scams and predators online is essential.
Cybersecurity is a critical concern for people of all ages, but it is particularly important for senior citizens who may be more vulnerable to online threats. Here are some best practices to help senior citizens stay safe online:
- Seek for assistance – Seniors shouldn’t be afraid to get in touch with dependable family members or friends if they feel uneasy online or need assistance with security measures. For individuals who are worried about the senior citizens in their lives, they can assist with software updates as well as aid educate them on scams that are well-known and strategies for being watchful. If an email, message, or transaction appears to be incorrect, calling customer service at a bank or retailer can help clear up confusion. Seniors may feel more comfortable using the technology accessible to them if they have a trusted team of individuals they can turn to for assistance with internet problems.
- Examine emails – One of the main methods used to steal information from elderly people online is email. Never submit account numbers, passwords, or other sensitive information over email. Financial companies never request this information from their customers. Seniors can always call and speak with their bank about any concerns if they are unsure whether their financial institution is attempting to contact them about a problem.
- Safely buy online and use social media – Phony shopping sites are a popular way for information to be stolen online. Buying from reputable merchants is beneficial, and there are frequently internet reviews for businesses that can warn customers about potential scams. Seniors should also keep in mind to constantly check their accounts for suspicious activity and utilize credit cards rather than debit cards whenever possible. The same is true of social media profiles. Quizzes and fake profiles are used by scammers to access users’ social media accounts. They do this by pretending to be someone else on the network or by using the information that users have given to try to guess the answers to “secret question” questions.
- Restrict account access – scammers frequently attempt to steal the financial and personal information that senior citizens access online. Users should use two-factor authentication where available and avoid sending personal information to strangers in order to keep this data secure. Users must pay special attention to crafting clever, powerful words. Seniors should never use common words, birthdates, or names of loved ones. Moreover, mix uppercase, lowercase, numerals, and symbols are used in strong passwords.
- Security software – A senior can be online protected with a number of anti-virus and anti-spyware programs. It’s crucial to make sure the program is installed correctly, and routinely performing updates makes sure that new threats are countered. As soon as software updates are available, it’s crucial to upgrade PCs, tablets, and mobile devices to the newest version. These upgrades offer software patches to safeguard against hackers and safeguard users from flaws.