In today’s digital age, senior citizens are spending more time online for socializing, entertainment, banking, and shopping. However, the rise in internet use makes them prime targets for cybercriminals. Scammers often prey on older adults who may not be as familiar with online risks or recognize the signs of nefarious actors, making it essential for family members to help educate and protect them, but do so without coming across as condescending.
This guide will equip you with the tools to help your aging parents or loved ones understand how to stay safe online, protect their personal data, and avoid online scams, all while maintaining their confidence and independence.
Personal Safety Online: Protecting Personal Information
One of the most important things to teach your loved ones is how to protect their personal information. Explain that sharing too much information online – even with those that seem trustworthy – can expose them to identity theft and other cybercrimes.
- Be mindful of what’s shared on social media: Encourage seniors to limit the personal details they share publicly, such as addresses, phone numbers, or their daily schedules.
- Use strong, unique passwords: Help them set up long, strong passwords for online accounts and use password managers to keep track of them securely. (And consider sharing this article we recently wrote about recent password protocol recommendations.)
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Where possible, set up 2FA to add an extra layer of security to important accounts like email and banking.
Avoiding Scams: Recognizing Phishing and Fraud
Older adults are often targeted by phishing emails, phone scams, or fraudulent websites that ask for sensitive information or money. It’s crucial to educate them on how to spot these scams.
- Don’t click on suspicious links or attachments: Teach seniors to be cautious about clicking on links in emails or text messages from unknown sources.
- Verify the source of calls and emails: Encourage them to hang up or ignore emails if someone asks for personal or financial information and to verify the legitimacy through official channels. Bad guys love to “scare” seniors into sharing their data.
- Report scams: Let them know it’s okay to report anything suspicious and reassure them they’re not alone in dealing with these issues.
Creating a Family Code Word for Extra Security
With the rise of voice phishing and other advanced social engineering scams, simply telling your loved ones to be cautious may not be enough. One proactive measure is to establish a family code word. This shared secret allows your aging loved ones to verify the authenticity of a caller before sharing any sensitive information or taking urgent action. It empowers them to pause, verify, and avoid potential scams, creating a safer online experience for everyone involved.
- Choose a Simple, Memorable Word: Make sure it’s something easy for everyone in the family to recall quickly, but not so common that it can be guessed.
- Use It for Verification: Encourage your loved ones to ask for the code word whenever they receive a suspicious request for money or personal information. If the person can’t provide it, they should immediately hang up.
- Regularly Remind Family Members: Periodically review the family code word and remind everyone of its importance, especially if new scams are circulating.
Protecting Financial Assets: Secure Online Banking
Many seniors use online banking to manage their finances, which is certainly convenient but also risky if they’re not careful.
- Bank only on secure networks: Warn them about the dangers of using public Wi-Fi to access sensitive information like online banking. If needed, help them set up a VPN for secure browsing.
- Monitor bank accounts regularly: Encourage them to frequently review their bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions.
- Watch for fake banking emails: Scammers may try to mimic emails from financial institutions, urging them to update their account details. Make sure they know to verify emails with their bank directly.
Educate Without Patronizing: Approach with Patience
When discussing cybersecurity with your aging loved ones, it’s essential to maintain a tone that is patient and respectful, ensuring they don’t feel overwhelmed or embarrassed.
- Start with empathy: Acknowledge that the digital world can be complex, and it’s okay not to know everything – no one does. Relate by mentioning that even tech-savvy individuals are sometimes confused or tricked by scammers.
- Make learning collaborative: Teach cybersecurity as a shared task. Offer to set aside time to review settings or install updates together rather than taking over completely.
- Celebrate small wins: If they successfully avoid a scam or implement security measures, praise their effort to encourage further learning.
Additional Cybersecurity Practices
Finally, there are other straightforward habits you can help your loved ones adopt to enhance their online security:
- Install antivirus software: Ensure their devices have up-to-date antivirus programs and firewalls.
- Keep software updated: Regular updates help protect against vulnerabilities in apps and operating systems. Set their devices to auto-update when possible so they don’t have to remember to do it.
- Educate on safe shopping: Teach them to shop only on secure, reputable websites with “https://” in the URL and to be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
Cybersecurity can seem intimidating, but by approaching the topic with patience and respect, you can help your aging loved ones navigate the digital world more safely. This is not a one-time fix, so keep the conversation going and be ready to step in with guidance when necessary. The more educated they are, the less likely they are to fall victim to scams, and the more confident they’ll feel using the internet and asking you questions too.
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