Cyber Security and Seniors: 5 Tips to Protect Your Loved Ones

Senior Technology  |  December 21, 2020

What Every Senior in Vancouver, BC Needs to Know About Cyber Security

Cyber Security and Seniors | Seniors are spending more time online than ever before. The internet offers tons of opportunities for connecting with loved ones, shopping, learning new things, staying entertained, and so much more.

On the other hand, seniors are often at risk of becoming victims of cybercrime. There are plenty of ways these frauds can occur, too. Avoiding scammers that target the elderly is critical for your loved ones if they spend time online. They need to be aware of potential online scams and know how to avoid them.

Cyber Security and Seniors: 5 Ways to Keep Elders Safe Online:

1. Security software – Nowadays, there are countless anti-virus and anti-spyware options designed to boost online safety. Pick user-friendly software for your parent or help them decide for themselves which one to get and make sure the program is installed properly. To mitigate new online threats, remind mom or dad to run updates or click that update button instead of them.
2. Limit access to accounts – To keep online data secure, users should create strong passwords that are not easy to hack. Never use names of loved ones, dates of birth, or common words. Hack-proof passwords often combine a mix of upper/ lower case, numbers, and symbols. Help mom or dad set up two-factor authentication on their accounts where offered. In addition to this, tell them never to send personal information to someone they do not know.
3. Evaluate emails – Email is one of the primary targets for hackers and scammers who steal information from seniors online. For this reason, sending emails with account numbers, credit card numbers, passwords, or any other personal information is never a good idea, so make sure to warn Mom or Dad about it.
4. Shop online and access social sites safely – One of the most common ways to steal personal information is through fake online shops. To avoid being tricked into buying something from a nonexistent vendor, your parent can opt to purchase goods from trusted companies only. If possible, your loved one should shop online with a credit card instead of a debit card and remember to monitor their balance regularly. The same goes for social media. Cyber-crooks use social media quizzes and fake profiles to gain access to other people’s accounts and steal valuable information.
5. Ask for help – Encourage your mom or dad to reach out if they have some problems online or need help navigating security settings. You or anyone tech-savvy in the family can show them how to stay vigilant or how to keep up with software updates. With adequate support, your loved one will be able to resolve any online issues and gain more confidence when using digital technologies.

Comfort Keepers® is the Best Senior Home Care Provider in Vancouver, BC

When it comes to arranging senior home care services for a loved one in or around Vancouver, Comfort Keepers is the preferred choice for many families. If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care, End of Life Care, Respite Care, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver Can Help with Interactive Caregiving™

Comfort Keepers®’s trained caregivers help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Our philosophy is to elevate the human spirit and our caregivers will be there every step of the way to ensure your loved one has a better quality of life. Personal and empathetic care is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our client’s exact needs. Learn more about our unique service which offers personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting the Comfort Keepers Vancouver office.

Comfort Keepers® Brings You The Best Home Care Assistance Right Where You Live.

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver is proud to provide home care throughout Vancouver that keeps seniors safe in their homes. We provide home care for the seniors of Vancouver and the surrounding areas of Burnaby, Langley, Maple Ridge, and Richmond please call (604) 689-8609. 

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver has been accredited with Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada. Accreditation is an intensive process in which industry experts examine an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures against a set of quality standards. To achieve accredited status, Comfort Keepers offices met or exceeded the rigorous standards for Home Care companies, as defined by Accreditation Canada. 

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