Some older people use technology better than the younger generation, and we won’t deny that. However, statistics and life experience show that seniors need to learn more often and have a more challenging time mastering this new field.

So, let’s talk about online safety today, helping everyone who wants basic data security and learn how to make a safe withdrawal but doesn't know how to get it. At first, it seems too much - passwords, cookies, multiple license agreements, two-factor authentication, etc. But it's important to know what you click and what you download, so let's dig deeper. 

Links and Gifts

Suppose you receive a message from a bank asking you to go to a website and perform some "simple" action to continue using their services. Then you see a field for personal data, begging to cooperate with fraudsters. It's an obvious trap, especially with the “in return” proposition. Fact-check it, contacting the institution through official channels. Until this moment, don't click on any links. 

It’s the same with surprisingly generous gifts. For example, a hardware store notifies you about winning a brand-new iPhone. Or a casino wants to give you cash for nothing. No one will work at a loss: if stores organize such promos, they draw equipment among recent customers. Online casinos that are popular for fast payouts generally do not spam either and notify their Australian customers. The principle is clear: free cheese lies in a mousetrap. 

Viruses and "Auxiliary" Programs

You're surfing the web and seeing a virus alert on your PC. It's scary, isn't it? And now they beg to click on a link or download an application to save you from danger. Will some corporation sit and watch all the computers, alerting you to viruses? No. Licensed antivirus programs do this; you have one installed when you buy equipment. Therefore, such ads are not worthy of attention - ignore them.

Also, be careful when downloading games or programs. Use only official stores like the Microsoft Store. If you download a file from a third-party resource, ensure it is reliable. Do not agree to download additional files, such as new browsers, etc. 

Personal Security

High encryption is denoted by the presence of HTTPS in the link and a padlock sign beside it. In this case, a user should click the lock to view the connection details and the certificates. You can also decide to share some information by using cookies. If you have a good and updated antivirus, it will also warn you if you visit an undesirable site.

Let us delve deep into multifactor authentication. Thus, if the resources allow for that, that should be done. Therefore, besides the set password, you should validate your login through a text message (SMS), code words, or other means. Also, if possible, use password managers. They produce more useful combinations and autosave them. However, the main benefit has been that they help you avoid opening scam pages.

Bottom Line

Ask an advanced user to help in the beginning if you can. Or use step-by-step manuals on the web, including ours. However, do not get scammed while seeking them.