Does your older loved one in Mission, KS, like going online? If so, they’re not alone: A 2024 Pew survey revealed that nine in ten surveyed Americans aged 65+ use the internet. From socializing to staying in touch with friends and family, reading the news, and playing games, these are just some things older adults may do online.
While the World Wide Web undoubtedly helps seniors stay connected and engaged, it can pose numerous online security risks. Therefore, learning and following digital security tips for seniors should be a priority for you and your older loved one.
To that end, the caring team at The Welstone at Mission Crossing, our senior living community in Mission, KS, put together this guide with tips on internet safety for elderly adults. So read on, and then pass on what you learn to your aging loved one to help them become safer, savvier internet users.
Delete Cookies
According to DemandSage.com, the average American internet user visits around 130 web pages daily. Older adults may visit fewer, but they can still visit many websites. Each site they visit creates small bits of code, known as cookies, that gather data from their browsing history.
Cookies can be helpful, such as saving site login details to simplify re-logins, but some can severely undermine privacy. Hackers may even use them as platforms for attacking and breaching accounts.
For those reasons, strategies for protecting personal data must include deleting browser cookies. Better yet, teach your older loved one to clear their browsing history.
Browse Only Websites With HTTPS
HTTPS is a computer protocol encrypted with Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). HTTP is an older protocol that doesn’t have the same security and encryption. Hackers can easily breach websites that still rely on HTTP, so they should be off-limits.
Please tell your older loved one to pay attention to each website they visit and ensure it starts with HTTPS. If the “S” is missing at the end, the connection is insecure and could pose an online security risk. They should leave the dangerous website immediately to avoid potential hacking.
Use Strong Passwords
Creating a strong password for each one of your older loved one’s online accounts is another of the most critical senior online safety tips. Passwords can only be “strong” if they:
- Have at least 12 characters
- Combine uppercase and lowercase letters, special characters, and numbers
- Don’t use common dictionary words (e.g., “password” or “passcode”)
- Appear to be nonsense to everyone else other than the account holder
Please warn your older loved one against using personal or identifying information in their passwords, too. For instance, they must never use their SS number, birth date, or phone number.
Utilize a Password Manager
Creating strong passwords is only one step to senior online safety; older adults should also implement proper password hygiene practices. For example, they should:
- Use different strong passwords for each online or mobile account
- Change passwords regularly, ideally once every three months
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA)
The steps above can help minimize cybersecurity risks, but they can also be tedious and a hassle, especially for seniors who may struggle to remember things.
Luckily, there’s a simple way to “recall” all those passwords: use a password manager. A password manager is a secure application that stores unique passwords, generates new ones as needed, and “remembers” all of them for the user.
Scam and Fraud Awareness
A December 2023 post by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) reported that in 2022, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received 88,262 fraud complaints from adults 60 and older. The crimes resulted in the victims losing a staggering $3.1 billion. And the victims weren’t just the wealthy; the criminals also targeted low-income older adults.
That said, one of the most crucial senior cybersecurity tips for protecting your elderly loved one from malicious actors is to teach them about scammers and fraudsters. When they know how these criminals work, they’ll likely be more mindful when using the internet and connecting with others online.
Common Scams That Target Older Adults
Many scammers target seniors because they think the older generation has plenty of money in the bank. They also believe older adults are less tech-savvy and more likely to have cognitive impairments. Some even go as far as exploiting vulnerable older adults who feel lonely and long for social connections.
For those reasons, malicious actors often perpetrate the following common scams and fraud crimes:
- Romance or online dating scams
- Cryptocurrency and other investment scams
- Computer tech support scams
- Internet and email fraud
- Phishing scams
Being aware of such dangers can help older adults be more cautious whenever they chat or respond to emails, especially from “people” they’ve never met.
Identifying Signs of Scams
As a caring family member, you can help shield your older loved one from scammers by discussing with them the most common telltale indications of such crimes. Here are some of the most common signs:
- “People” met online, such as through a dating app or platform, who claim they’re in a crisis and ask for financial help
- Unsolicited chat messages or emails from people saying they represent a well-known company
- Chat messages from users using the same name as a family member but have no profile photos
- Promises of “miracle cures” or discounted healthcare services
- Investment opportunities promising massive returns with little to no risk
Also, please remind your older loved one never to give credit card CVV numbers or one-time pins (OTPs) to people who call or chat with them. Banks and other legitimate companies never ask for these details.
Help Enhance Your Older Loved Ones’ Online Security
With elderly adults in the crosshairs of malicious actors, online security for seniors has become more crucial than ever. Following the cybersecurity practices and tips in this guide can help your older loved one minimize their digital risks while they enjoy the web.
At The Welstone at Mission Crossing, our senior living community in Mission, KS, we encourage our older residents to stay engaged and connected online and in person by offering them Wi-Fi connectivity and many social activities. They can also count on our friendly team of professionals to provide attentive, personalized service and support 24/7.
Connect with us today to discover how our community can help your elderly loved one stay social and engaged throughout their golden years!
