Overview
This cyberspace is an open field where you are most vulnerable if you don’t follow the safety tips for cybersecurity. What are the tips for cybersecurity, and why senior citizens are tempting targets? Let’s find out.
Eyeing the Elders
• Time paced: With faster tech developments, and presumably, slow to grasp the latest updates, chances of making a mistake by an elder becomes high.
• Wealth: Most senior citizens have accumulated wealth over time, and with a generous compound in their bank account, hackers eye sharply on their credentials.
• Emotions: It all boils down to emotions when clicking on a link or feeling the urge to know something on the internet. It creates room for hackers to set up a perfectly manipulative trap.
Not all elders fall under the stereotype of less tech-savvy, some are using it securely, yet they remain hot targets for hackers. There is definitely a need for cybersecurity awareness tips amongst our senior citizens.
Here are the Cybersecurity Tips You Should Know
These 10 tips for cybersecurity can turn the table in favour of our elders!
The Caution of Lock-in
Just like you lock the front door of your house every so often, keep your devices locked in with a pin code, to secure any unwanted access in your absence or in case the device is lost or stolen.
Thoughtfulness
One of the best cybersecurity advice is always – thinking before sharing any personal information.
Being an elder you think a lot for your loved ones, it is time you also evaluate and think while using the internet, over questions like:
– ‘Do I really need to share these details?’ – ‘Can there be another way to achieve what I’m trying to achieve this way?’
Being Aware of Phishing
One of the oldest yet effective ways the bad guys try to steal your information is by creating a sense of urgency to share your personal details like login credentials, credit/debit card details, etc.
It can be an email, an SMS, or simply a phone call. Even if you have to share, please ensure the webpage address has a ‘lock’ icon or starts with ‘shttp://’ or ‘https://’ in green colour, as they are safer than ‘http://.’
Browse on Secure Connections
Connecting your device to an internet source plays an important role. Try to avoid connecting your device to a public source. It is the place where most hackers build their traps. If the need arises, ensure not to share any personal information when your device is accessing a public wifi network.
Be Extra Cautious when it comes to Financial Transactions
The banking institutions fight closely with cyber attackers and have a dedicated team to help validate each transaction of their customers. Do not hesitate to verify any recent transaction by talking to your bank representative or CFO right away.
Follow These Social Media Safety Measures
Social media is a hot spot for hackers. The plethora of enticing ads, especially some unbelievable offers, can urge you to click and know more. It should be blatantly ignored, even if it came from someone known.
Take Care While Shopping Online
With direct money involved while shopping online, being extra vigilant is needed while making a payment. However, most online sites come equipped with 128-bit encryption and a multi-factor payment layer, yet it is advisable to shop on trusted e-commerce sites only.
Get Used To Using a Password Manager
Not only it happens to elders, with most people unable to remember many passwords, but it is also always advisable to have a password manager app for you like XXXX.
The other option is to be creative and choose a paraphrase as your password, so it is difficult for anyone to guess or break.
Check The Grammar, Please.
The bad guys mostly have different objectives for their benefit, and learning grammar has never been one of them. One of the surest personal cybersecurity tips is to always look for a spelling error, grammar mistake in an email you received. Your suspicion will turn into a smile while deleting that email right away.
Cleanse Every Now and Then
No matter it is your physical, emotional, or mental health, even socially you need cleansing every so often. With all these safety tips for cybersecurity in mind, you can identify unwanted emails, and messages and deleting them will work great.
Systems work with complicated algorithms but understand every step you take. Deleting that suspicious email will help mitigate the frequency of receiving these kinds of messages in the future.
Cyberspace is a minefield of knowledge, connections, and frauds. With these cybersecurity tips for the elderly, we want them to have that edge and mastery on secure usage of the internet.
Along with providing a plethora of services for senior citizens, this is useful information that we want the whole Emoha community to know about, simply because for us, it is always #EldersFirst.
A simple safety checklist
1. Never share OTPs, PINs or passwords, with anyone, including people claiming to be the bank. 2. Do not click links in unexpected messages, and do not install apps from strangers. 3. Use strong, different passwords and two-step verification. 4. Hang up on pressure calls about arrests, prizes, KYC or refunds. 5. Verify with family before sending money. 6. Keep software updated and avoid public Wi-Fi for banking. 7. Report fraud at once to the bank and the cyber crime helpline (1930) or portal.
When to ask a professional
If you have lost money or data, contact the bank, the police and the cyber crime portal.
Equipment mentioned in this guide
Frequently asked questions
How can seniors avoid online scams?
Do not share OTPs, verify unexpected requests and talk to family.
What should I do if I clicked a bad link?
Change passwords, call the bank and report it.
Are WhatsApp forwards reliable?
Not always. Check before believing or sharing.
How can family help?
Set up alerts, use trusted contacts and practise together.
Sources and further reading
- Ministry of Home Affairs, India, National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
- Reserve Bank of India, awareness on digital fraud
- Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In), advisories
Tags: Safety #Cyber Securitycybersecurityonline scamspasswordsphone fraudSafety and alert devicesEmergency pendantFall-detection watchHealthy ageingElder care
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Speak to your doctor before changing your exercise, diet or medicines.
