On October 1st, the world celebrated the International Day of Older Persons, initiated by the United Nations. It is estimated that there are almost 700 million people over the age of 60 worldwide, and this number is growing every year.
Scammers use technology to target older people because they often aren’t well informed on online security. According to the FBI’s data released this year, older adults lost $342 million to scam in 2017. On average, each victim suffered a loss of nearly $7,000, which could have bought them a 2-week trip abroad for two.
NordVPN’s digital privacy expert Daniel Markuson provides some tips on how older adults can stay safe online.
Top tips to keep seniors safe online
Find trusted support. If you get any notifications or calls about viruses on your computer, it might be fraud. Use only official support services or consult someone you know and trust. Technical support scam is the fourth most popular scam in the United States and gaining in popularity worldwide.
Be careful on public WiFi. Found free WiFi at a restaurant or cafe? Enjoy it! Just don’t log into your personal accounts or online banking – that makes it easy for hackers to steal your sensitive data. Additionally, use a VPN (or Virtual Private Network), like NordVPN, for an extra layer of protection. It will protect your devices and online activities from online snoopers.
Use strong passwords. Use longer phrases or words with numbers and don’t share your login details with anyone. Do your best to use different passwords for different accounts. What is more, always protect all of your devices with passwords.
Email safety first. The first rule: ignore urgent email requests, especially from senders you don’t know. If an email is asking you to take immediate action, it’s probably fraud. Don’t reply to such messages, don’t click on links or buttons, and don’t download any attachments. Remember, a legitimate business will never ask you to send sensitive information over the email.
Protect your money. Don’t send money to people you don’t know over the Internet. When shopping online or doing online banking, make sure the checkout address starts with HTTPS – the S is for “secure.” All those scammy letters claiming you won a zillion or a new iPhone are surely fake.
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More info: nordvpn.com
Top tips to keep seniors safe online
Find trusted support
Be careful on public WiFi
Use strong passwords
Email safety first
Protect your money
