Senior Digital Safety

Technology Is for Everyone

The internet offers tremendous benefits for people of all ages. It makes it easier to stay connected with family, manage finances, access healthcare information, explore hobbies, and stay informed about the world. You deserve to enjoy all of these things without feeling anxious or overwhelmed.

If you are reading this, you are already taking a smart step. Learning about online safety is not about becoming a computer expert. It is about knowing enough to feel confident, recognizing when something does not feel right, and knowing what to do about it. You bring a lifetime of wisdom and good judgment to the table, and those skills are just as valuable online as they are in person.

If you are a family member reading this on behalf of a loved one, this guide can help you have supportive conversations without being patronizing. The goal is always empowerment, not control.

Common Scams That Target Older Adults

Scammers deliberately target older adults because they tend to be more trusting, may be less familiar with certain technologies, and often have more savings. Understanding how these scams work is the single most powerful way to protect yourself. Here are the most common types:

Phishing Messages

Phishing is when someone sends you an email, text message, or social media message that pretends to be from a trusted source, like your bank, a government agency, a delivery company, or even a family member. The message usually creates a sense of urgency, telling you that your account has been compromised, that you owe money, or that you need to verify your information immediately.

The goal is to get you to click a link and enter personal information, such as your password, national ID number, or bank details. The link may look legitimate but actually leads to a fake website designed to steal your information.

How to protect yourself: Be suspicious of any unexpected message that asks you to act quickly. Legitimate organizations will not pressure you to provide sensitive information through email or text. If you are unsure, do not click any links in the message. Instead, contact the organization directly using a phone number you know is real, such as the one on the back of your bank card or on the organization's official website.

Tech Support Scams

In this scam, you receive a phone call, pop-up message on your computer, or an email claiming that your computer has a virus or security problem. The scammer pretends to be from a well-known technology company and offers to fix the problem if you give them remote access to your computer or pay a fee.

Once they have access, they may install harmful software, steal personal information, or charge you for services you do not need. Some scammers even lock your computer and demand payment to unlock it.

How to protect yourself: Remember that legitimate technology companies will never call you out of the blue to tell you your computer has a problem. If you see a pop-up warning on your screen, do not call the number it displays. Instead, close the window. If you cannot close it, restart your computer. If you need technical help, reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or a reputable local computer repair service.

Romance Scams

Romance scams happen when someone creates a fake profile on a dating site, social media platform, or even a community forum, and builds an emotional connection with you over weeks or months. They may be charming, attentive, and seem genuinely interested in your life. Eventually, they ask for money, often with an emotional story about a medical emergency, travel costs to come visit you, or a business opportunity.

These scams can be devastating, both financially and emotionally. The person you thought you knew never existed, and the shame people feel often prevents them from telling anyone or seeking help.

How to protect yourself: Be cautious about anyone you have only met online, especially if they avoid video calls or meeting in person. Never send money to someone you have not met face to face, no matter how compelling the story. If someone you have been talking to online asks for money, gift cards, or financial information, talk to a trusted friend or family member before doing anything. There is no shame in being targeted. These scammers are skilled manipulators.

Impersonation Scams

Scammers sometimes pretend to be someone you know, such as a grandchild, friend, or neighbor. They may call and say, "Grandma, it is me, I am in trouble and need money right away. Please do not tell Mom and Dad." They may also send messages through email or social media from hacked or fake accounts.

How to protect yourself: If you receive an urgent request for money from someone claiming to be a loved one, verify their identity before taking action. Hang up and call the person directly using the phone number you have saved for them. Ask a question that only the real person would know the answer to. Scammers rely on panic and urgency, so slowing down is your best defense.

Building Digital Confidence

Confidence with technology comes from practice, patience, and knowing that making mistakes is a normal part of learning. You do not need to understand how everything works under the hood. You just need to feel comfortable with the tools you use regularly and know where to turn when you need help.

• Start with what matters most to you. You do not need to learn every app or feature. Focus on the things that improve your daily life, whether that is video calling family, reading the news, managing appointments, or shopping online.
• Take it one step at a time. Learning something new on a computer or phone takes repetition. Write down the steps for tasks you do often. There is nothing wrong with keeping notes next to your computer.
• Ask for help without hesitation. Libraries, senior centers, and community organizations often offer free technology classes. Many are designed specifically for people who are just getting started. Family members and friends are usually happy to help, too.
• Do not be hard on yourself. If something goes wrong or you accidentally click on the wrong thing, it is almost always fixable. Technology is more forgiving than it seems. Taking a deep breath and asking for help is always the right move.

Essential Security Steps

You do not need to become a security expert, but a few basic practices will dramatically reduce your risk online. Think of these as the digital equivalent of locking your front door and not leaving valuables in plain sight.

• Use strong, unique passwords. A strong password is long and hard to guess. Avoid using names, birthdays, or common words. A password manager can remember all your passwords for you so you only need to remember one. If that feels like too much, writing passwords down in a notebook kept in a secure place at home is far better than using the same simple password everywhere.
• Turn on two-factor authentication. This adds an extra step when you log in, usually a code sent to your phone. It means that even if someone gets your password, they still cannot access your account without that code. Ask a trusted person to help you set this up on your most important accounts, like your email and bank.
• Keep your devices updated. When your phone or computer asks you to install an update, say yes. Updates often include security fixes that protect you from new threats. You can usually set updates to happen automatically.
• Be careful with links and attachments. If you receive an email or message with a link or attachment you were not expecting, do not open it. This is true even if it appears to come from someone you know, because their account may have been compromised.

Safe Online Communication

Staying in touch with family and friends online is one of the great joys of modern technology. Video calls, email, messaging apps, and social media can all help you feel connected, especially if loved ones live far away. Here is how to communicate safely:

• Stick to platforms you trust. Use well-known, reputable apps for video calls and messaging. If someone asks you to switch to an unfamiliar platform, be cautious, especially if you do not know the person well.
• Be thoughtful about what you share publicly. On social media, consider keeping your profile private so that only people you know can see your posts. Avoid sharing details like your home address, daily routine, vacation plans, or financial information in public posts.
• Verify before you trust. If you receive a friend request or message from someone you do not recognize, it is okay to ignore it. If someone claims to be a person you know but the message seems unusual, verify through another channel before responding.
• Do not feel pressured to respond immediately. Scammers and manipulators often create artificial urgency. Legitimate friends, family, and organizations will understand if you take time to think before responding.

Recognizing Manipulation Tactics

Whether it comes through a phone call, email, text, or social media message, manipulation online follows predictable patterns. Learning to recognize these patterns is one of the most valuable skills you can develop.

• Urgency. "You must act now or your account will be closed." "This offer expires in one hour." Scammers want you to act before you have time to think. Legitimate situations rarely require instant action.
• Fear. "Your computer has been hacked." "The tax authority is filing a lawsuit against you." These messages are designed to trigger panic. Take a breath, and verify the claim independently before doing anything.
• Authority. Scammers pretend to be from the government, your bank, a technology company, or law enforcement. Real authorities will not contact you by email or phone to demand immediate payment or personal information.
• Flattery and affection. "You are such a special person." "I have never connected with anyone like this." Scammers in romance scams build emotional bonds to exploit later. Be cautious about anyone who becomes intensely affectionate very quickly, especially if you have never met in person.
• Secrecy. "Do not tell anyone about this." "Keep this between us." Any legitimate person or organization would not ask you to hide your actions from your family. This is almost always a red flag.
• Too good to be true. "You have won a prize." "I have an investment that guarantees high returns." If something sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is.

When to Ask for Help

Knowing when to ask for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Technology changes constantly, and even people who have used computers for years encounter situations where they need guidance. Here are some situations where reaching out is the smart thing to do:

• You received a message or phone call that is pressuring you to act quickly or send money.
• You accidentally clicked on a link or downloaded something and you are not sure if it was safe.
• You notice unusual activity on your accounts, like purchases you did not make or emails you did not send.
• Someone online is asking for personal or financial information and you are not sure if the request is legitimate.
• Your device is behaving strangely, showing unexpected pop-ups, running very slowly, or displaying warnings you have not seen before.
• You want to set up a new account or device and would like someone to walk you through it.

Who to ask depends on your situation. A trusted family member or friend is often the best first step. Your bank has a fraud department that can help if you are concerned about your financial accounts. Local libraries and senior centers often have technology help desks. And if you believe you have been the victim of a scam, you can report it to your local authorities.

Device Security Basics

Your phone, tablet, and computer are gateways to your personal information. Keeping them secure does not require technical knowledge, just a few good habits.

• Lock your devices. Set up a PIN, password, fingerprint, or face recognition to unlock your phone, tablet, and computer. This means that if your device is lost or stolen, a stranger cannot immediately access your information.
• Only install apps from official sources. On a phone or tablet, use the App Store or Google Play Store. Avoid downloading software from unfamiliar websites on your computer.
• Be cautious with public Wi-Fi. Free Wi-Fi at coffee shops, airports, and hotels is convenient but not always secure. Avoid accessing your bank account or entering passwords while connected to public Wi-Fi. If you need to do something sensitive while away from home, using your phone's cellular data connection is safer.
• Back up your important information. Photos, contacts, and documents can be lost if a device breaks, is stolen, or is affected by harmful software. Ask a trusted person to help you set up automatic backups, either to an external drive or a cloud service.
• Review your apps and permissions. Periodically look through the apps on your device. If you no longer use something, remove it. Some apps ask for permissions they do not need, like access to your camera or contacts. It is okay to deny permissions that do not seem necessary for what the app does.

Protecting Your Financial Information Online

Managing money online, whether it is checking your bank balance, paying bills, or shopping, is convenient and, when done safely, secure. Here are the key principles to follow:

• Use your bank's official app or website. Type the web address directly into your browser or use the bank's official app. Do not follow links from emails or text messages claiming to be from your bank.
• Check your accounts regularly. Review your bank and credit card statements frequently. The sooner you spot an unfamiliar charge, the easier it is to address. Many banks allow you to set up alerts for transactions over a certain amount.
• Never share your banking login information. Your bank will never ask for your full password or PIN by phone, email, or text. If someone does, it is a scam.
• Be cautious with online shopping. Shop from well-known, reputable websites. Look for the padlock icon in your browser's address bar, which indicates the connection is secure. Be wary of deals that seem unbelievably cheap, as they may be scams or counterfeit goods.
• Use credit cards rather than debit cards for online purchases. Credit cards generally offer stronger fraud protection. If a fraudulent charge appears, you can dispute it without the money being directly withdrawn from your bank account.
• Be wary of requests for unusual payment methods. Legitimate businesses will not ask you to pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. If someone insists on one of these methods, it is almost certainly a scam.

If you believe your financial information has been compromised, contact your bank immediately. They have teams dedicated to helping in these situations and can freeze your accounts, reverse fraudulent charges, and help you secure your information. Acting quickly makes a significant difference.