Although it’s easy to get turned off from browsing the internet, it is undoubtedly one of the most powerful tools out there. You can access entire libraries of books, essentially every piece of music ever recorded, buy almost anything, and of course view an endless supply of adorable animal videos. Yet, such amazing access has its inherent dangers and for those less tech-savvy individuals, senior internet safety is a key priority in today’s digital age.
Yes, it’s true – we’re in a digital age where everything has a touchscreen and is wirelessly communicating with some electronic cloud. Even for younger generations, gaining a perspective on the intricacies of the internet and its devices can be a feat of mental gymnastics. Every day we hear more stories about how hackers and other criminals are taking to the world wide web like hungry spiders fortunate enough to catch us unsuspecting flies.
Internet safety is something everyone can practice regardless of their age!
Sites for Senior Internet Safety
Practicing good internet safety may seem like an overwhelming task at first, but it’s necessary to maintaining personal cyber security. Like anything, there are some sources that are more reliable than others and being able to tell the difference is critical to avoiding fraud. There are a number of websites dedicated to protecting against fraud and online risks:
Fighting Back Against Identity Theft – Provided by the Federal Trade Commission, this site guides seniors through the process of detecting ID theft and defending yourself against it. Since a large portion of identity theft occurs online today, this resource is invaluable and very reliable.
Fraud.org – Here you can learn about the latest fraud topics and current issues regarding cyber safety. This site will allow you to report frauds and provides plenty of information on ways you can guard yourself against scam artists and other criminals.
The Better Business Bureau – You’ve probably recognized their symbol on some of your favorite websites. Through the BBB, you can search a business, URL, phone number, or other key information about businesses both online and brick and mortar. This can be a great resource to help avoid internet fraud, especially for those who do most of their shopping online.
CNET – Again for those who shop online frequently, reading reviews for products on CNET can help you make an informed decision before committing to a large purchase. There are endless supplies of counterfeit devices, products, and services on the internet, so it helps to do your research ahead of time. Remember if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
Senior Internet Safety Techniques
Besides these online resources, there are several other ways you can protect yourself against the worst cyber criminals out there. Although these aspects of senior internet safety may seem small, when combined with an awareness of which sites you can trust there’s no limit to your successful surfing of the net.
Create strong passwords – Most websites requiring passwords will have small gauges for how strong your password is. This usually involves at least 12 characters, a number, and a unique symbol like a question mark.
Don’t give out personal information – Unless you’ve verified who you’re communicating with, never give out personal information unless it is via a secured form or page. Keep this in mind when writing to friends in emails or on instant messengers.
Never open email attachments from random contacts – If you ever receive an email from a contact you’ve never heard of before containing an attachment, DO NOT open it. Many times these attachments can contain malware or other viruses that can steal your information and take over your computer.
Consider malware software to identify viruses – There is a range of malware and other anti-virus programs available to prevent malignant programs from entering your computer. Here is a short list of some of the most highly rated software to consider.
Don’t give out too much information in your username – When creating usernames for any account, avoid providing details like your birthday, full name, or other things that hacker might use to determine your identity. It may be easier to remember, but it’s not worth the risk.
Think about who else has your information – Since the internet is so connected, you’ll need to be aware of who else in your contacts has your information. Although you may be a senior internet safety maven at this point, others may still struggle with exposing themselves to security risks. You don’t want your identity to be collateral damage for someone else’s mistakes!
Senior internet safety is a key way to avoid fraud and limit your risks online. Face it, people will always find a way to swindle others and commit fraud – that doesn’t mean you have to be a victim!
