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By the numbers: The FBI announced that during 2024, there were 147,127 complaints of internet fraud for people 60 years and older, totaling $4.8 billion in losses.
- In our digital-first world, it’s crucial that Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) and the Silent generation (born between 1925 and 1945) – which are not digital natives – practice safe habits while online.
- Inherently, Baby Boomer and Silent generations tend to be more skeptical of online platforms tracking their data.
May is National Older Americans Month, so it’s a good time to revisit helpful tips.
Preventing password breaches
A crucial first step to protecting valuable information online is to password protect your accounts.
- The equally crucial second step is to ensure that your password is strong enough.
- Use passwords with seven or more characters that include a number and symbol, like an exclamation point or asterisk.
- It’s important to vary your passwords across accounts, too.
- Otherwise, a hacker will have a one-and-done job after they breach a single password.
Use Two-factor authentication
To take the extra step, consider using two-factor authentication when creating your online accounts, which generates a one-time code that is sent to your mobile device or email to confirm your identity.
Don’t take the phishing bait
Another tactic that online hackers use to access your information is to send emails or text messages pretending to be someone else.
- These messages may look like they are from your boss, a family member, or even someone claiming you have won a contest.
- They will typically convey a sense of urgency to get their victims to act quickly and respond with personal information like their social security number (SSN) or bank account numbers.
- If you know how to be cautious of these types of messages, you can prevent you or others from falling for phishing schemes and losing information privacy or money.
Let’s talk about social media.
- It’s fun to scroll through your feed and post photos or statuses, but you may be giving out more information than you realize.
- However, do not overshare on social media, which can occur through posting photos or statuses that contain information like your home address or place of work.
- Fun online quizzes, which are common on Facebook, also pose a potential danger because they may ask you to share your name, gender, birth year, etc.
- Tap into the online security features available through your internet and technology providers.
- At Cox Communications, we offer tools to detect and prevent cyber-attacks, blocking unknown connections and scanning for any other network threats before you ever know about them.
The internet is a great place to research, keep up with friends and family, and stay up to date on current events.
- It’s important to stay safe while surfing the web and to ensure that our loved ones know how to protect themselves, too.
- And with affordable internet options like ConnectAssist for $30 a month, the power of connectivity is available to those on fixed incomes and/or whom receive at least one government assistance program such as SNAP, Medicaid or a Veterans Pension.
Photo Credit: Cox Communications