According to the Pew Research Center, as of 2023, 95% of U.S. adults use the internet. It may come as a surprise, but many are seniors; 88% of adults aged 65 and over report using the net!
From communication and socialization to staying current on the latest events and gaming, these are only some of the top reasons older adults have and continue to go online.
Unfortunately, the World Wide Web isn't 100% safe, especially for older adults who may be more vulnerable to cybercrime. For this reason, internet safety for seniors must always be a top priority.
Join us at Chandler Place Assisted Living in Kendallville, IN, as we discuss online safety tips for seniors in this guide.
The first step to improving digital security for elderly adults is for them to understand their cybersecurity risks. One such risk is fraud.
According to a December 2023 post by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), per the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), it received 88,262 fraud complaints in 2022 from people 60 and older. The older victims lost $3.1 billion as a result.
In the same article, the NCOA noted that criminals believe older adults have plenty of money. However, they target more than wealthy seniors; they also victimize those with low incomes. They may also target vulnerable seniors, such as our older loved ones with anxiety or depression, who seek socialization online.
Knowing how fraudsters commit criminal acts online is one of the best ways to protect seniors from scams. They perpetrate these crimes through various digital means, including:
Awareness of such dangers (and their consequences) can help seniors be more wary and careful when dealing with chats, emails, or "people" online.
Family members and carers can protect seniors by helping them identify possible scams. Some of the most common telltale indications of scams are:
Also, remember that anyone who asks for account verification codes or credit card CVV numbers is most likely a scammer. Legitimate company employees or bank representatives will never ask for these details.
Another of the most crucial cybersecurity tips for older adults (or anyone for that matter) is to use strong passwords, which must have:
Strong passwords don't contain any personal information (e.g., names, birth dates, SS numbers, etc.). They must also not be common dictionary words lengthened by patterns (e.g., password123456789 or 987654321password).
Creating strong passwords is only one step to making internet use safer for seniors; older adults must also practice proper password hygiene. It involves utilizing different strong passwords for each account and changing them regularly.
The problem is that while a strong password is better, it can be harder to remember. So, just imagine how much more challenging it can be for an older adult, especially a senior parent with memory problems, if they must recall more than one password!
The good news is that password managers help simplify password hygiene. They're technologies that enable anyone with online accounts to create, store, and manage passwords more securely.
Even the Indiana Government recommends using password managers. After all, they're safe and secure control centers for all passwords, "remembering" them for users so they don't have to. So, they can further help bolster safe internet use for seniors, as they'll only have one "master" password to remember.
Depending on how seniors access the internet, they may not even have to remember passwords, including those for their password managers. For example, many smart devices, like Android and Apple, have built-in biometric security control features, such as Face ID and fingerprint authentication. They can work with Google Password Manager (for Android devices) and iCloud Keychain (for Apple devices).
Another effective strategy for seniors to lower their online risks is to use MFA, a technology that requires using more than one verification method for online account access. The extra step (or steps) may involve:
Let's say a hacker was able to steal a victim's online credentials (username and password). However, the account the credentials are for has MFA enabled, such as requiring an OTP sent to the legitimate owner's mobile phone number. Even if the hacker has their victim's username and password, they still wouldn't be able to access the account since they don't have the required OTP.
So, by enabling MFA, older adults can minimize the risks of their online accounts getting hacked.
With bad actors targeting elderly adults, internet safety for seniors has become all the more important. By following the tips in this guide, you or your older loved ones can safely enjoy the online world.
At Chandler Place Assisted Living in Kendallville, IN, we encourage our residents to stay connected online and in the real world by offering them many opportunities to stay social. Our compassionate and experienced full-time personal care staff is also always ready to assist them with their needs.
Reach out to us today to learn more about how our caring and pet-friendly community can help your older loved one enjoy their golden years to the fullest!