It’s difficult to live without the internet nowadays. Roughly 75% of people above the age of 65 are internet users, according to the Pew Research Center.
Unfortunately, this is also one of the demographics that’s most vulnerable to cybercrime attacks. Online scams, malware, phishing attacks, and other threats are significant for those engaging in activities like senior online shopping. What sort of internet safety tips can help keep you safe?
If you’re curious about online security practices, we’re here to help. Read on for a list of the best internet safety tips to keep your online shopping experience safe.
Never Give Your Password
One of the most important rules of the internet is to never give your password out. Your password is effectively the lock on the door to your home. You may give a key to the lock to someone you trust deeply, but you wouldn’t give it to a stranger asking.
The same applies to your password on the internet. If someone is asking you for your password, it’s rarely for any good reason. Sometimes, online scams will pose as an authority figure to obtain your password and steal your information.
You should never post your password in a public area. Furthermore, it’s a good idea to change your password frequently and follow the rules to create a strong password. Those rules include:
- Between 8 and 20 characters longer
- Using special characters like $ or _
- Never repeat old passwords or your username
- Changed at least once every 90 days
Following these rules, your passwords are much stronger. But even the strongest password is useless if you give it to someone. Always keep your passwords secret except for from people you trust.
Be Careful With Your Payments
Another important rule is to be careful of where your payments are going and to whom. When you make a payment online, you’re giving them all of your card information.
If someone is trying to take your card information, it’s exceptionally easy. But how do you know which sites are trying to steal your information?
Disreputable sites are harder to spot. One of the quickest ways to spot a secure website is to find the “secure padlock” symbol near the left of the URL. Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer all use this symbol to signify a safe website.
Other ways include:
- Check if the website is HTTP-secure
- Use the Google Transparency Report page
- Use a search engine to compile the highest-trafficked sites
These are all tips recommended by Columbia University. By following these, you can more easily spot if a website isn’t trustworthy. If it’s not trustworthy, never give them your payment information.
Go Off of Reviews
When you’re shopping online, malware isn’t the only threat. How can you avoid buying a lackluster or fake product?
There are many online listings that show one product but send another. On some websites like eBay or other resellers, you’re at the mercy of hoping the other seller is reputable.
Amazon has a similar problem. Some brands dropship low-quality products, while others are fake brands that are scamming as many people as they can before swapping names.
A great way to avoid both of these issues is to go off of the reviews that a product or seller has. If they have a high number of reviews and a good rating, then they’re likely legitimate.
But if they have no reviews, it may not be worth the risk. Similarly, if they have very few reviews but they’re all highly positive, they may not be real. Do your best to read reviews before you make your purchase.
Don’t Follow Strange Links
Many links can lead you to malware-riddled websites that steal your information off of a single clip.
One way you can avoid this is to hover over a link. If you hold your mouse over a link, you’ll see the underlying URL. That shows the true site that the link is going to send you to.
If the true site’s URL looks sketchy or doesn’t match what you were told, don’t click it. It’s generally one of the best online security practices not to click a link from someone you don’t know. If it appears in your email or on social media, for example, you should only click it if you know who sent it.
Use an Antivirus
What’s the best way to take some of the guesswork out of internet safety tips? So many of these require vigilance, but that can lead to an air of paranoia.
One great tip is to use an antivirus software. These are programs with the sole purpose of keeping your PC and information safe.
There are hundreds of antivirus software, so find the best for your needs. Some communities also have their own firewall or antivirus as part of the amenities they offer their residents.
Familiarize yourself with your antivirus and understand what it protects you from. That can help you with weeding out some of the biggest threats.
Be Careful for Phishing Attacks
Finally, one thing to watch out for while online shopping is phishing attacks. According to IBM, phishing is a cyberattack that uses fraudulent communication like texts or emails to trick you into sharing sensitive data.
If you shop online frequently, you’ll get plenty of confirmation emails and ones offering deals. Mixed in may be a phishing email trying to get you to give your information in return for deals or discounts. Do your best to understand what a phishing attack looks like and never give your information out.
Understanding Internet Safety Tips
Understanding internet safety tips helps you to avoid threats like online scams and malware. Phishing attacks are also warded off when you follow the best online security practices.
At Aston Gardens at Parkland Commons, we’re proud of our commitment to providing every resident with the best senior care and amenities. Our residents enjoy independent living, assisted living, and community options that help them to make the most of their golden years. Contact us today to see how we can help you today.
