The
internet supplies an assortment of benefits for older adults. With
the likes of social media and video communication technology, it has
never been easier for them to stay in touch with family and friends.
In addition, it has mental health benefits and can assist with
delaying cognitive decline.
This
is why, according to research by the Pew Research Center, 73% of
older Americans are now online.
Yet
it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. There are various threats that
can be found on the internet, some of which are specifically targeted
at vulnerable people, including seniors. A cyberattack could even
result in them losing their entire pension, so it’s essential they
remain safe while browsing the web.
To
help maintain online safety, here are five online security tips you
can provide to your elderly parent or relative.
1. Supply an education
It’s
important to teach your loved one about the potential dangers of the
internet. Sadly there are many of these, including unsecured
websites, phishing emails, and devious social media messages.
These
will often specifically target seniors and try to entice them with
fake offers such as free gifts and vacations. You may also find
fabricated messages sent by a government agency. If they believe the
IRS is threatening them with a fine or jail time, they will tend to
do what they can to resolve the issue—falling into the hands of
scammers in the process.
2. Recommend support
If
the senior you’re helping lives alone and you cannot visit
regularly, it’s advisable for you to bring in someone else to
assist their online browsing. If you hire a home caregiver, they can
supply a continual watch and ensure the old person hasn’t fallen
into any trouble with their internet usage.
Plus,
if they’re anything like the professional caregivers at
smithlifehomecare.com,
they’ll be able to help out in many other different areas. From
shopping chores to driving clients to their doctor’s appointments,
they can provide diverse care services with the utmost compassion.
3. Use the latest antivirus software
When
there are no people around, there is one last line of defense your
loved one can utilize: antivirus software.
However,
it’s not simply a case of downloading the software. You have to
keep continually updating the program to its latest version. If it’s
not up to date, this could lead to hackers exploiting the older
software. Thankfully, most antivirus programs will have an
auto-update feature that you can simply enable.
4. Help with creating strong passwords
Rather
than your loved one sticking with a simple “1234” combination, a
strong
password can shut down a lot of malicious activities in an
instant. When creating a password, ensure it incorporates a
combination of numbers, symbols, and lower-/upper-case letters.
Furthermore, you should create a unique password for each account
they have online.
5. Log out
It’s
a simple point, but a vital one to keep in mind. Once your loved one
is done with the apps and websites they were using, they should log
out. This can help prevent privacy and security risks.
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