For older adults, the Internet can be an invaluable source of information, community, and connection. Unfortunately, it can also be an avenue for potential criminality. Many online scams specifically target older adults, and these attacks are continuously becoming more sophisticated.
Does that mean seniors should steer clear of the digital space altogether? Not at all. It simply means they should be aware of their surroundings and take reasonable precautions against cyberattacks.
How Older Adults Can Stay Safe Online
There are a few foundational tips that seniors can follow to minimize their risk of online attack. Best practices include:
1) Don’t click or open links.
Emails and text messages can include malicious links. Some are examples of phishing attacks, transporting you to pages where hackers can retrieve your personal information, including banking details. Another concern is malware, malicious software designed to damage your computer or to harvest personal information. One of the best ways to avoid these attacks is to avoid opening any links sent. Also, keep in mind that bad actors are able to send malicious links through email addresses of people you know. Unless you are expecting an email from a user with a link, best practice is to search for a website online using key words and not the actual link url.
2) Don’t open any attachments unless you know the sender and are expecting them to send something.
It’s not just questionable links that can expose you to phishing or malware attacks. Downloading attachments can be just as dangerous. It’s best not to open or download any attachments unless you know and trust the sender, and they have verified that they are sending you something.
3) Ignore unsolicited calls.
Cyberattacks don’t just occur via email and text. “Vishing” attacks and robocalls are also big concerns. These schemes involve phone messages from people claiming to work for your bank, financial planner’s office, or some other trusted institution. AI advancements have even made it easy to mimic the voice of someone you know. One of the best ways to avoid these kinds of attacks is to simply not answer the phone when you see an unknown or unsolicited number. Also, if your “bank” calls about something, hang up the phone and call the bank directly to make sure it is legitimate.
4) Don’t click on any pop-up windows.
Have you ever seen a window pop up, telling you that there is something wrong with your computer or that you need to respond to a “security alert?” These are almost always examples of “scareware,” specifically designed to target older adults. The best thing to do is to simply not respond to these windows at all.
5) Avoid conducting transactions on public Internet connections.
You can feel safe checking your online bank statement or completing online purchases, but only when you are logged into a secure Wi-Fi network that you know and trust. Avoid these kinds of transactions when you are in public or cannot verify the security of your connection.
Stay Safe on the Internet
Scammers are relentless, and increasingly very clever. It’s important for all Internet users to remain vigilant. Older adults are no exception. Thankfully, following these basic guidelines can provide adequate protection against scams and data theft.
With any questions about using the Web safely, or about implementing more robust cybersecurity precautions, don’t hesitate to contact BlueArmor. And, follow along with our blog for additional data security tips and updates.