We live in a digital age – nearly everything is done online now – from shopping and banking to doctor’s visits and medical records management. We save so much time with the use of modern technology, but with that convenience comes a price. Cybercrime has risen exponentially, with a record-breaking number of cases in 2021. That leaves us asking: in a world where digital technology is necessary, how do we keep ourselves safe from cybercrime and fraud? 

4 Essential Digital Safety Tips for Seniors: Navigating the Digital World with Confidence

The Most Important Actions To Protect Yourself 

Digital Privacy is a booming business, and while there are protections you can purchase, some of the best ways to protect yourself are free, if you know what to do. Here are a few ways to protect yourself from digital crime and fraud: 

Tip#1: Use strong passwords.  

The use of unique and strong passwords is one of the best ways to prevent identity theft. The difference between a weak and strong password is comparable to building a picket fence vs a fortress around your identity.  

But what constitutes a strong password?  

Strong passwords consist of eight or more characters with a combination of upper and lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers. Try using phrases that are easy to remember, but long enough to be difficult to guess (i.e., Im@rriedJoeon071179). You also want to avoid reusing passwords on multiple sites. If you have difficulty remembering myriad passwords, you may want to consider the use of a password manager app or password-protected excel spreadsheet. Just don’t forget the passwords to those tools, or you’ll be in trouble! 

Tip #2: Limit your internet trackability using browsers that don’t record or track your use.  

If you’ve ever felt like the ads you see on websites are too tailored to your preferences – maybe even eerily so, you aren’t alone. Online marketers are privy to your browsing habits, taking advantage of cookies on their websites and even using your IP address to monitor your spending and browsing habits, and use that data to market specifically to you. If you would prefer to not receive targeted marketing based on your internet use, you can mitigate that risk with the use of certain private browsers. Most of these browsers are free to use and can provide you with some peace of mind.  

Tip #3: Don’t breeze past pop-ups on your phone.  

Do you ever feel like your phone is looking back at you? Well, in a way it is. The average iPhone app has no fewer than six embedded trackers per a recent report by Apple. The good news is, that you are given a choice in the matter when you download any app and can change your privacy settings at any time.  

When first downloading and opening an app a pop-up will appear requesting permission to track your usage, sometimes even using the GPS on your phone to track where you physically are. You’ll be given the option to either allow tracking or deny access.  

If you decide to change your mind down the line, you can access your privacy settings on your phone for each and every app you have downloaded and toggle your tracking permissions there.  

Tip #4: Don’t open links from unknown or suspicious sources.  

These days, our emails are filled with so much communication, much of it junk. But sometimes that junk can appear legitimate, even to the most tech-savvy users. Phishing criminals have become very skilled at posing as legitimate companies and tricking the public into giving away their passwords and credit card information.  

If you receive an email from your bank, or even your favorite movie streaming service, think twice about clicking any links contained in the email. Even if you believe the email comes from a legitimate source, we still recommend bypassing any links and logging directly into accounts from that company’s website. It takes just a few extra seconds and eliminates the risk of identity theft. 

Protecting yourself from cybercrime and fraud can feel like a daunting task, but you do have ways of protecting yourself. The world around us is ever-changing, and there is always something new to learn.  

Do you have any tips regarding cyber security? Please share them with us on our Facebook page’s blog post.