How to identify cyber scams | Seniors | stardem.com – The Star Democrat
How to identify cyber scams | Seniors | stardem.com The Star Democrat
Tag Archive for: Seniors
More seniors are using computers and the internet than ever before. Those who don’t are missing out, say the experts | Opinion
I miss my typewriter! I miss the sound and the feel of it. But, alas, they tell me, “it’s the 21st century, get with it.” My response is, “I could pick a century out of a hat and get a better one.”
I admit it — I am technologically deficient. So I asked the experts to tell me why this 78-year-old hack of a reporter needs a computer, why do I need to know how to “surf the internet? And here’s what the techies at a company called Avast had to say. They bill themselves as “a global leader in digital security and privacy” and I figured they would have the answers.
Q: I’m a senior citizen. I read newspapers and magazines, listen to the radio and watch TV. I get my information the old fashioned way. Why is it so important for me to learn how to use a computer?
A: The major benefit of using computers is simply the ability to stay connected in the modern world. Online banking, social media, many government services and much more are moving increasingly, if not entirely, online. It may soon be impossible to access any of these services without a computer. In other words, if you’re not digitally proficient, you can’t fully participate in society these days. Once people find how technology can facilitate them in their passions and hobbies, they would find their own reasons to learn.
Q: I know how to turn on my computer, find information on the internet and receive and send emails. Isn’t that enough… doesn’t that make me digitally literate? What else do I need to know?
A: You need to learn how to stay safe online, practicing ‘defensive internet use,’ and understanding what happens with your data. It includes knowing how to set and manage strong passwords, keeping on top of privacy settings, and having a basic understanding of what’s safe and not safe to click on or visit online. If you can do that, you have a baseline for digital literacy.
Q: You say,…
Safer surfing for seniors: Protect your privacy with these internet safety tips
Sixty-three percent of Cox customers ages 57 and older — baby boomers and the Silent Generation — say they worry about online security and privacy.
To help protect yourself from fraud, hacking and scams, here are some tips to keep you and your personal information safe while surfing the web.
Strengthen passwords
According to recent research from Forrester, about one-third of Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation use two-factor authentication to confirm their identify when logging into their accounts. And just over half use password or PIN code protection for their smartphones.
Strong passwords should contain:
- At least seven characters
- Numbers
- A special character like an exclamation point or asterisk
Don’t use the same password for different sites. A hacker can gain access to all your accounts if you only use one password. On your smartphone, be sure to set up a four- or six-digit PIN to protect your device.
Consider using two-factor authentication when creating accounts online, which generates a one-time code sent to your mobile device or email to confirm your identity. (AARP)
Two-factor authentication adds another step and a little more time to confirm your identify when signing in to your accounts, but you would spend a lot more time and energy if you had to recover from a data breach.
Opt out of pop-ups
Sometimes hackers disguise their malware as pop-up advertisements or “special offers” when you’re shopping or reading online. Clicking on these pop-ups can lead to viruses or data breaches.
If you encounter a suspicious pop-up message, don’t click on anything in the window. Simply leave the site or close out of your web browser. You can also change your browser settings and block all pop-ups.
Phishing for answers
Sometimes online hackers will send you an email or text message and pretend to be someone they’re not in order to convince you to share valuable information with them, such as your social security number (SSN), address or credit card information. This is called phishing. (Age Safe America)
If you receive a message from an unknown sender, do not respond or click on any links or attachments. Instead, ignore the message or have someone trustworthy see if it’s from a…
Final lesson for graduating seniors: Surveillance cameras really are everywhere
Whether you are of a criminal mind or merely a teenage mischief maker out to prank your school as graduation day nears, there needs to be a greater recognition of this simple fact of modern life: Surveillance cameras more ubiquitous than public restrooms, park benches and water fountains combined (caution: that’s a totally made-up fact but you get the idea.)
Sometimes this is good thing, sometimes it’s a bad thing, and sometimes it’s just a thing.
From a story on PennLive:
A prank that included smearing petroleum jelly about a Snyder County high school will not prevent those responsible from attending Friday’s commencement.
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