What Seniors in Canada Should Know About Data Security

There are more reasons why seniors can be especially susceptible to financial losses due to fraud and scams. They tend to be more trusting of strangers. Being helpful and open comes naturally. Retired people usually have assets and savings. They also have more time on their hands and spend some of it online, which is where scammers have migrated. On top of that, technology is changing at an incredibly fast pace. It’s very easy for seniors to succumb to pressure to accept every innovation without question.

Fortunately, we have some good advice to help you navigate the online maze. Keep your technology lean and mean with these empowering tips. 

Become a Network Skeptic

Public Wi-Fi, such as the free service at the mall or cafe, can be a dangerous trap. Don’t log in to bank accounts or other sensitive accounts without protection. Scammers can easily intercept the data you exchange on an unsecured network. That’s how they extract passwords and bank account numbers. 

If you must use public Wi-Fi for such activities, learn how to connect to a personal VPN to encrypt your connection. Encryption enfolds your information in a private internet tunnel to keep out hackers and eavesdroppers. Securing your network connections is the best way to keep your privacy.

Become a Message Skeptic

We tend to answer calls from familiar numbers. However, scammers can spoof telephone numbers to make it appear as if the call comes from a family member or a legitimate company. 

Unsolicited emails, phone calls, or messages can be the first step leading you into danger. If messages ask for personal or financial information, they may be doubly hazardous. If you get such a request, verify the identity of the requester. Use the official channels for your follow-up request. 

Trust your instincts, and don’t hesitate to hang up or stop communicating if something feels off.

Become a Social Media Skeptic

It’s lovely to stay in touch with your family and old friends. Social media platforms use complex algorithms to send new and interesting news (and people) your way. Sadly, some of those new friend requests aren’t interested in you at all. 

Scammers can create fake accounts using the names or photos of people you know. New friend requests can often be traced back to scam farms. Scam farms specialize in a range of hoaxes and scams. In a nutshell, they could be after your money. 

It may be time for an account privacy checkup. Go to your account settings to view the publicly available information about you. There’s no need to add your home address or phone number to profiles. Remember, your profile information can be used by scammers to concoct a perfectly believable approach to con you out of your life savings. Consider restricting what you share. Only share lifestyle news and photos with the people you truly care about. 

Become a Link Skeptic

Common wisdom says you should never click on links from unfamiliar senders. However, nowadays, it’s best to also be cautious of messages that appear to come from friends and family. Their devices may have been infected, or someone might be spoofing their email address. The general rule is to be cautious if a link or attachment is included and the message arrives unexpectedly. Emails, text messages, and social media messages or posts can all contain malicious links. 

Don’t click on pop-up windows on your devices. Screen pop-ups can contain poisoned links to malware-infested sites. For example, an urgent alert claiming your device needs fixing can have a fake ‘close’ button. When you click to close the pop-up, it starts a virus download. 

Become a Phishing Expert

Here’s how phishing attacks work. The attacker sends you a message with a link or attachment. The message might look professional and legitimate. The content is typically about fantastic deals, urgent information requests, or payment. The attacker urges you to open the attachment or click on the link in the message immediately.

Clicking on the link or opening the attachment may start a malware download or installation on your device. After the infection, the attacker can lock all your files and demand a ransom to unlock them. Sometimes, they use your personal contact list to send out more malware to your friends. Sometimes, it installs spyware on your device. That allows them to sniff out your passwords, sensitive documents and other information. 

Whenever someone asks for your personal details or money, raise your caution level. Scammers usually request payment through alternative means. So, if someone asks for a wire transfer or a gift card, evidence suggests it could be a less-than-legitimate transaction. Financial matters can be stressful; it’s always best to double-check before handing over money. 

More Power Tips For Online Safety

Awareness of the dangers associated with popular internet hangouts or messaging apps is a strong first step in protecting yourself. With that in mind, here are a few more actionable tips for safer online activities:

• Don’t reuse passwords. It’s very (very!) tempting to use the same password for different online accounts. However, if an attacker cracks the password, it will compromise all your accounts. It’s better to use a reputable password manager. It can create and store strong passwords for your online accounts. 
• Don’t leap into new apps or services. For example, do you need an account on every social media platform? Do you need AI to help you compose a message to your grandchild? Ask your tech-savvy friends before you sign up for the newest inventions.
• Use multi-factor authentication. When you set up MFA on an account, you will receive a notification on your phone or email every time someone tries to log in. You’ll need the extra security if one of your passwords gets compromised. 
• Install a reputable antivirus software on your phone. Set your phone and laptop up to accept automatic updates. Updates will protect your devices from newly discovered security flaws.
• Understand when a VPN is useful. The best VPN can help protect your internet traffic, especially when using public Wi-Fi or reducing how much of your browsing activity is visible to others on the network. Not everyone needs a VPN all the time, so it’s worth learning what makes a VPN trustworthy and comparing reputable options before choosing one.

What to Do if You’ve Been Scammed

If money has been taken from your account, contact your local police and the financial institution immediately. You should also report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Don’t be embarrassed about speaking up. Share your experience with others. It helps to create awareness of the issues. It may even, one day, protect your best friend.