Ten cybersecurity tips for senior citizens

• The company S2 Grupo has warned that the elderly are one of the most vulnerable groups in the use of new technologies and that is why they are one of the targets of cybercrime.

• They should be aware of cyber-scams such as vishing, the use of strong passwords, the dangers of public Wi-Fi or the importance of not participating in chain messages, are some recommendations that can help them protect themselves from digital dangers.

Valencia, March 30, 2023.- The elderly are one of the targets of cybercriminals due to their vulnerability in the use of new technologies. As with children, their lack of inexperience or knowledge of devices and the Internet makes them an easy target.

In this context, the cybersecurity and critical systems management company S2 Grupo has highlighted that it is very important to protect our senior family members by showing them some basic recommendations that will prevent them from putting themselves at risk.

"Connected devices have become a resource of great help in the day-to-day life of the elderly, both when it comes to facilitating tasks such as when they activate devices by voice, as well as with the use of connected surveillance systems or simply to be able to be closer to their relatives through video calls, for example", said José Rosell, managing partner of S2 Grupo.

"However, it is an environment in which they have entered abruptly many times, without really controlling its operation and that lack of knowledge means that on many occasions they are truly put at risk while using devices connected to the Internet. Cybercriminals know this and take advantage of it. That is why it is essential to protect the elderly so that they can use technology without falling into these risks", explained Miguel A. Juan, managing partner of S2 Grupo.

Ten recommendations for cybersecurity for the elderly are:

1. It is important to protect personal information: "Many grandparents do not realize that publishing photos of their grandchildren could be a problem, for example. That is why they should know that any information that is published is in the public domain and, therefore, it is important to be careful with this", said José Rosell.
2. Warn them to be careful with SMS and to know that many times cybercriminals use them to impersonate other entities such as the Post Office or the bank.
3. Remind them that the bank will never ask for their passwords by message or email and, if this happens, we are facing a possible cyber-scam.
4. Advise them not to participate in chain messages inviting you to forward them or telling you that if you click on the link you will participate in a contest to win important discounts or prizes. Usually, there are cybercrime actions behind them.
5. They should enter only secure web pages, which are those that use the padlock symbol and always have the letters "https" at the beginning.
6. If they use a Wi-Fi, it is better that it is only the one at home and if they use a public one, they should only use it to consult webs where they do not enter any type of personal credential because anyone can access these networks.
7. To use strong passwords (with uppercase and lowercase letters, alphanumeric characters and numbers), and not always the same one for all accounts and not write them down in a notebook that is always carried about, because it could be lost or stolen and compromise them.
8. To always install antivirus in the devices connected to the Internet.
9. Warn them about telephone scams such as the so-called "vishing", in which a call is made to trick the person to obtain personal information such as passwords or a bank account, for example. 
10. To update the telephone or computer whenever the alert appears. It is important to tell them that this is not dangerous and is very simple. If they do not know how to do it, tell them to ask for help.