We might have seen many seniors are active on the Internet and they have transformed themselves digitally. This is a good sign, but they should be aware of some internet threats like:
- Scams that are happening on Social media
- Banking Fraud
- Password Theft/ Data Breaches
- Malware and Viruses
- Violations of Personal Information
- Phishing
- And the list goes on
Seniors should follow Internet Safety Rules to protect them from the above-mentioned issues. Below are some safety tips to prevent seniors from internet threats.
Protect yourselves through the following ideas:
1. Use Protective tools like Anti-malware Software: Consult with an expert, install trusted security software on your computer, and set it to update automatically from the latest risks.
2. Stop Downloading Unknown Attachments and Software: Never download unknown images, software, or documents if you don’t know the source.
3. Keep Your Passwords Unique and Secure: Use strong passwords with a combination of lowercase, uppercase, and special characters and numbers, and keep changing your passwords frequently.
4. Don’t Allow Anyone to Access Your Accounts: Don’t allow any of your friends or even family members to access your accounts, especially bank accounts. But, in case of an emergency, you can have a trusted person operate your account and change the password immediately after the job is done. This will ensure internet safety for seniors.
5. Understand Filters like Spam: Use email providers like those who remove these Spam emails from your Inbox.
6. Use Privacy Settings in Social media: Restrict your post access to people you trust and be aware of what you post on social media sites.
7. Understand the Scam Signs: Be aware that Scammers are roaming the Internet and avoid scam signs like vacation prizes, low-priced electronics items, gifts, medicines, etc.
8. Report all instances of Abuse: Don’t consider that abuse will not happen to seniors, don’t ignore them, and report the abuse.
9. Understand Phishing and avoid that: Phishing is something that a fake site looks like a trusted one and makes you give all your information to the scammer. Find this by checking for Spelling, URLs, and grammatical errors.
10. Use Secure Websites: In the URL of your internet browser, use “https://” instead of “http://”. First, check the website security before you give your financial information.
11. Don’t give Payment Information to an Unknown Site: Ensure the website address before entering your payment information, and authentic banks will not ask for any of your passwords.
12. Keep an Eye on Digital Finance Accounts: Watch if your bank information and the credit card are being used for unauthorized purchases. Change your digital bank account passwords frequently to keep your online account safe.
13. Be Safe when you are going to meet up with someone in Person: If you are planning to meet someone who becomes your friend online, meet them in a public place and let your family know about this meeting.
14. Be Cautious Always: Understand that people are not the same as they may look online. So be cautious about interacting with new people and don’t reveal too much information about yourself.
15. Don’t Believe New Friends: You can find numerous new people on the internet. Don’t just believe their stories and don’t send them any money if they ask unless you know the person personally.
16. Know details from Fiction: Understand that not everything published on the internet is true, no matter the official look of the website. Many health advice blogs will publish some stories to attract you and earn money. Don’t fall for them, and keep yourself away from such scams.
17. Avoid self-diagnosis: Don’t try to find a solution for your health issues on the internet; this will worsen your condition. Only your doctor can advise you in this regard.
18. Follow up with an Expert: We cannot say everything is false on the Internet. But, if you are going to make any changes in your lifestyle, diet, or exercise, then consult your doctor before proceeding.
Emoha App
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Conclusion
The Internet is a place where you can explore many new things. But there are some risks involved in this. By educating and updating yourselves, you can enjoy the umpteen benefits of this technology, and at the same time, you can stay safe from its unpleasant aspects.
FAQs
Never click or copy-paste the link of the websites which you don’t know.
It is a virtual barrier between your computer and the Internet.
This software scans for all known viruses.
To increase protection against new threats, the programs get updated.
No, you shouldn’t. Educate your parents or grandparents about internet safety tips.
