Cyber security: How to keep the older generation safe

It’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month. With the ever growing consumption of mass media, it’s not always easy to figure out what’s real or fake anymore. Thousands of people spend all day using types of media, but are they always staying safe? Many older people are vulnerable to scams, phishing and viruses because they don’t know the dangers and how to prevent them. Here are a few simple things you can do to keep you and your loved ones protected online.

Protecting passwords
It’s important to keep your online passwords protected. In today’s online heavy world most people will have numerous accounts and passwords and remembering them can become difficult. In these instances people turn to keeping passwords on their computer or having similar passwords, but this can also endanger your security. Hackers can gain access to one password then get ahold of any information they need, including bank details and home addresses.

The number one way to keep your passwords secure is to avoid letting the computer remember passwords. By saving them on the computer anyone can use your account without even needing to look for a password first. One of the best things you can do for your cyber security is to have a separate password for all accounts in case they are discovered or leaked. 

Remembering all those passwords can be difficult, especially the older you get. But simply writing these down on a physical piece of paper - not a computer - will reduce the risk of being hacked.

This is of course, not enough to keep passwords completely secure. There is plenty of guidance available, including this information from Norton about how to secure passwords, which will help you set up secure online settings for your loved one. Settings such as two-factor authentication and ensuring passwords contain minimal predictable and personal information in the first place can be essential in helping older people stay safe online.

Stopping viruses
Viruses come in many different forms, so it can be difficult to decipher whether they are real or not. Whether it be a pop-up advert, email or text message, learning how to stop them is important to your online safety. Not growing up in a world of media makes older people more vulnerable to such scams.

No matter how real anything looks, it’s always safest not to click on a link. People get many emails each day and scams are often made to look more realistic each time. If your loved one is unsure of how trustworthy something they have been sent is, encourage them either to speak to a carer about it, or to bin it. The safety risk is never worth a click on a random link without checking first.

As well as understanding the best practice for staying safe online, it's always important for older people to have access to the correct antivirus and malware software to protect their computer, tablet or mobile phone. There are a range of software options available, and comparison guides such as this one from TechRadar can help make the decision easier.

Stranger Danger
Most people grow up knowing how important it is to stay away from strangers. But with the internet, it is impossible to avoid this, and many older people can fall victim to phishing very easily.

Despite the internet being an amazing place to meet new people and find information, hackers and scammers often disguise themselves to seem more trustworthy so that they can gain information from vulnerable people. Some older people won’t be aware of this danger, and may put themselves at risk by sharing their personal information too readily.

The best way to avoid this is to warn loved ones against sharing any personal information with another person online unless they also know them in real life. Alternatively, blocking someone will always provide immediate protection. Although it can seem harmless, hackers and scammers can use even the smallest details for malicious purposes. 

All over the UK, organisations such as AgeUK provide cyber-awareness courses which can help older people learn to spot the signs of a scam and identify suspicious activity or contact from strangers.

As always, the internet is fun, but remaining safe is essential. Often, older people struggle with cyber security because they are navigating an unfamiliar landscape, but with the right tools and understanding, the risks can be massively reduced.

At Devoted, our carers provide the very best in holistic support for your loved ones, making sure that they remain safe within their homes, and content in the activities they enjoy, both online and offline. 

Find out more about what we do.