Essential Online Safety Tips for Seniors In 2024

In the digital world that we live in today, there is an exponentially growing number of senior citizens on the internet. As everything is shifting to digital mode, it becomes extremely essential to make them aware of the risks that they are exposed to as well as the measures they should take in order to maintain their online safety.

One of the most important things you should do is get yourself a good, strong and reliable VPN service. One good VPN keeps you covered on all your internet safety uses. For this, it is important to make a wise VPN choice. We strongly recommend ExpressVPN. Through this article, we will provide you with a complete safety guide.

Common risks facing senior citizens on the internet

• Identify theft: this is about using someone else’s personal details without taking permission from that person. It can include using their name, mobile number, social media, credit card, etc.
• Breach of data: breach of data is usually done by leaking a person’s/ group’s/ organization’s data to any third party. Common data leaked for misuse includes passwords, email addresses, social security numbers, credit card details, personal photos and videos, etc.
• Malware: malware is conducted creating software which can cause damage to someone’s device and their online security and privacy by stealing their personal or confidential information, spying on someone’s online activities etc. 
• Scams: all kinds of third parties with the target of performing scams come up with new ideas regularly to fool people into trusting what they do which finally leads to scams and frauds. They take personal information from people in different ways such as creating interesting links for people to open, ads, pop ups, etc. Some of the most common scams are:
  • Scams impersonating the government
  • Scams of Charity and Lottery
  • Grandchild scam
  • Romance scam
  • Scams of tech support 

Measures to take to ensure online safety on the internet

There are many things that one must keep in mind to ensure safety and security on the internet. Here we are providing the measures that one must take with respect to each potential risk in order to maintain complete safety on the web.

Password

Password is the front line of defense for any account, information or data. It is a highly confidential key which must be used properly and kept safely. Here are some things you must keep in mind:

• Log out of all kinds of accounts once you are done using.
• Make sure that the passwords you create are strong. This includes using a combination of upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. Do not keep easy, direct passwords.
• Create a password manager account with a reliable provider who uses strong technology.
• Enable multi-factor authentication to get notified every time a login attempt is made.
• Make use of biometric login as much as possible.

Anti-virus

One of the most commonly used way in which attackers target the senior citizens is by infecting their devices with viruses. Viruses are malwares which alter with the working of your device along with stealing your data. Here are some things that you must do to avoid getting trapped:

• Make sure that your operating system is up-to-date updated to the latest version.
• Make use of a good, strong and reliable anti-virus software and keep it updated to the latest version.
• Emails are an easy pathway for viruses to enter your system. Make sure to open only those emails which are received from legitimate sources.
• Do not click on links received from unknown source or any random link spotted online.
• Do not entertain or even open attachments that are not from known or authentic sources.

Social media

Social media is one of the easiest ways for cyber criminals to lay traps for senior citizens. This is why one must stay vigilant at all times and be aware of all the threats they are exposed to. Here are ways to protect yourself on social media:

• Create strong passwords for your social media accouts.
• Keep your privacy to the maximum level possible by keeping the most stringent security settings.
• Do not share your location on your social media account. Keep it hidden.
• Be sure of what you want to put out there. Make sure you are well-verse with publicly commenting and privately messaging. Do not mix them up.
• Filter out what you are posting. Do not give out all about you.

Online shopping

• Shop only from well-known and familiar sites.
• Purchase on your credit card rather than your debit card as much as possible.
• Do not save the information of your payment mode for easier and quicker checkout in the future.
• Check the shipping cost before making the final purchase. Compare to see if you can get a better deal on other shopping sites.
• Be sure to see the return policy on the item you are purchasing.

Data breach

• Do not reveal your true identity to strangers online.
• Do not log in to any site on the internet until required.
• Use fake names and age as much as possible.
• Use PayPal rather than your credit card when and where possible.

Fake news

• Find out the source of origin of the news that you are reading.
• Think about who the news piece could be targeted at.
• Look for similar news from other authentic sources.
• Analyze if there is enough evidence provided.

How can a VPN help provide online safety and security?

A good VPN service provides safety and security by providing your device in use a fake IP address and hiding the original IP address. Because of this your actual information is not visible to hackers or any other third party which ensures that your personal or confidential data cannot be accessed and thus misused by anyone.

When you make use of a VPN all your data passes through a safe tunnel which makes sure that no one can access or keep a track of your data or your online activities which thus enhances your online safety and security.

Reliable VPN services have features to give you more and more online security and privacy. One feature which is common in good VPNs is the kill switch.

Keeping in mind how important online safety and security is, we recommend you to use ExpressVPN as it guarantees online safety and overall provides a great experience.

Frequently Asked Questions