10 Tips for Seniors to Stay Safe Online

Some common online scams include phishing emails, fake tech support calls, and sweepstakes or lottery scams. Seniors should be cautious of any unsolicited communications asking for personal information or money.

Seniors can create strong passwords by using a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. They should also avoid using easily guessable information like birthdates or pet names.

Seniors should be cautious of downloading anything from untrusted websites or clicking on suspicious links. They can also install antivirus software and keep it up to date to help protect against malware.

If seniors suspect their identity has been stolen, they should contact their bank and credit card companies immediately. They can also report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission and place a fraud alert on their credit report.

Seniors should only shop on secure websites that have a lock icon in the URL bar. They should also avoid using public Wi-Fi for online shopping and be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.

Seniors should adjust their privacy settings on social media to limit who can see their posts and personal information. They should also avoid sharing sensitive information like their birthdate or address publicly.

Seniors should not respond to or click on any links in suspicious emails or messages. They can report the message as spam or phishing to their email provider or social media platform.

Seniors should be cautious of any unsolicited phone calls asking for personal information or money. They can also ask for the caller’s name and company and call back using a verified phone number to confirm the legitimacy of the call.

Seniors should avoid accessing sensitive information like bank accounts or social media on public Wi-Fi. They can also use a virtual private network (VPN) to help protect their data.

Seniors should regularly check for software updates and security patches on their devices. They can also subscribe to online security newsletters or attend workshops to stay informed on the latest threats and best practices.