Cybersecurity for Seniors: How to Protect Yourself Online
When it comes to being online, be it online learning or digital entertainment, there is a need to know and understand how to protect yourself from unwanted malware and scammers. Although going online occupies a considerable portion of many people’s lives, the percentage of users who are focused on cybersecurity is much lower. Common mistakes include using the same password for multiple platforms, then never changing it. Sharing login details. Navigating to websites containing a high portion of pop-up ads. Downloading content without making appropriate checks. In a rush to access favorite websites, people can become exposed to the downside of the Internet. Scamming. Phishing. Catfishing. So before you do any more surfing, check out our guide to protecting yourself when you’re in the virtual environment.
Safe Browsing Tips
Private browsing
Let’s take an example. Say you were looking for a dating site where you could indulge in a senior chat. These digital services are fantastic for putting you in touch with a cross-section of compatible individuals. But while you’re spending time socializing in this environment, flirting, and arranging dates, especially with married people or being married yourself, you should ensure you set your browser to ‘private.’
This will stop cookies from accumulating, as well as keep your online sessions private from anyone else sharing your device. And don’t forget to use those platforms for dating with a strong security system.
Use a VPN
A virtual private network (VPN) is the most reliable method of protecting your Internet traffic. By connecting to a VPN, you’ll be going through an encrypted tunnel, ensuring nobody else will be aware of your online activity – screening you from potential hackers.
Block pop-ups and ads
Pop-ups and ads can range from being annoying text blocks that interfere with the web page you are trying to read to something far more sinister. These are often used as entry points for malicious links. Once clicked, they can cause havoc, opening a portal into your system to a diverse range of malware. So make sure your browser is set to block these.
Clear your cache
Websites can track your browsing data, allowing hackers to target you based on your online history. So make sure you flush this data regularly.
Manage passwords
Hackers use software to second-guess passwords, and obvious ones will be cracked in seconds. A password manager will help you remember strong passwords, keeping them encrypted and stored securely.
Update your antivirus software and firewall
This is essential. No matter how trustworthy a website seems to be, there will always be a chance that it could harbor threats. A reliable antivirus will monitor every application running on your system, detecting attacks before they’ve had a chance to infiltrate your computer.
How to Learn Cybersecurity
While popping ‘cybersecurity’ into your search engine will produce a range of useful tips, by far the best way to keep up-to-date with protection would be learning the optimum methods from IT professionals. If you happen to know anyone who works in this industry, you could always ask them for some advice. An even better suggestion would be to check out online courses. This is a valuable source of information, as this tuition will allow you to develop in-depth knowledge of the subject.
How Online Services Protect Users Privacy
Online services can ensure their site users remain protected in various ways. One of the most fundamental is applying HTTPS protocol, as opposed to HTTP. (You’ll see this in the URL of any website). This guarantees that any user is accessing the server they would expect, rather than an ‘imposter.’ At its most basic security level, before newcomers have even signed up to a site, their identities will be verified. This validation should be actioned at the browser side of the messages and also the server side.
Taking the previous example of an online matching service, the site should be set up in such a way that application forms do not contain fields that can be left blank or completed with the wrong type of information (say, a date inputted incorrectly). Hackers can take advantage of any missing fields to enter malicious code, which could then end up in the website’s database.
Online services will also place restrictions on the types of files that users are allowed to upload, particularly images or photos. There will be limits placed on file sizes. Web servers will be programmed to sift out image files containing the wrong extension.
Conclusion
It can be tempting to rely on a basic level of IT security to run in parallel with the time you spend browsing digital platforms. But whether you’re using your computer or smart device to pay for online courses or flirting with strangers on a dating site, cybersecurity should be a priority consideration. Many of us will have direct experience of the unwelcome activity or know of individuals who have perhaps lost money through illegal access to their online banking details. By taking our advice on board and applying the suggestions regularly, you’ll significantly reduce your chances of also becoming a victim.
