- Consumer Information Center

Safe Senior

On 1 October, we celebrate the International Senior Day. It is an opportunity to remind that seniors are consumers and users of telecommunication services and have specific needs of which service providers, among others, should be aware. October is also the European Cybersecurity Month when we remind others about good Internet use habits.

Seniors constitute an increasingly larger demographic group. According to the 2020 ITC Services Usage in Households Survey, more than one half [1] of those aged 60-74 (51.4%) were Internet users.  Results of the above survey show that seniors use the Internet mostly to read online news, newspapers or magazines, look for information about goods or services and healthcare as well as exchange e-mails.

Unfortunately, many seniors still do not use the net every day, do not shop or pay their bills online and do not talk to their family and friends using messaging services. Seniors often lag behind advances in technology or do not feel the need to use it.

Digital education proves beneficial to seniors and those around them in many areas of life: communicating and sustaining relationships, health and care, as well as growth, leisure and consumer activity. Importantly, learning how to use computers, phones, messaging services or mobile applications allow seniors not only to stay in touch or develop their interests, but also to improve their confidence, satisfaction and the feeling of keeping up with the times. Unfortunately, online activity is saddled with various threats which seniors are unable to foresee or prepare for. Most seniors lack basic knowledge about cybersecurity. Excessive openness and trust in those lurking behind the screen may be exploited by Internet scammers, who are after the data and savings of users.

In one phishing campaign after another, scammers often exploit the image of recognised brands, such as banks, stores, medical facilities or courier companies. Using social engineering, they attempt to steer their victims into actions that may lead even to siphoning off money from bank accounts. The combination of trust and lack of awareness about the threat potential means that attacks of this kind tend to be highly efficient.

Scam examples and security rules can be found in our online courses:

• Safe banking,
• Online shopping,
• Interacting with the government online.

Seniors, remember!

• To be secure, you need to stay reasonable and calm – do not act on your emotions.
• Set up passwords that are difficult to guess and do not share them with anyone.
• Do not open messages and suspicious links from unknown sources, even when they appear to originate from a bank or other institution.
• Buy only from proven sellers.
• Do not share confidential data (even with your friends).
• Use antivirus software,
• Download files and applications only from legal and trusted sources.
• Be wary when meeting and talking to other users – you never know who is hiding behind the screen!

Internet offers us considerable possibilities, but we must remember the basic rules of security. Follow our social media and cik.uke.gov.pl