As people age, they often have to think about their digital information. The world of technology is constantly changing, and aging family members must keep up with the latest trends to keep their personal information safe. Here are some ways senior living in Lutz, FL, can help seniors stay secure online.
- Help You Memorize Your Passwords
The first step is to create strong passwords. You should use a password to store all your credentials and then use unique passwords for each account. This can be helpful if you have trouble remembering your passwords, but it also helps keep your information safe.
But it can be challenging for older adults who often might not be tech-savvy. Fortunately, staff in senior living communities can help residents set up and memorize their passwords through password managers. There are many types of password managers, so choose one that works best for your needs. Some are cloud-based, and some work locally on your computer or mobile device.
Refrain from using the same password across different sites. It’s not secure and will make it easier for hackers if they get access to one site’s database. Most importantly, don’t use personal information as a password. That includes birthdays, anniversaries, pet names, or family member names (including yours). Don’t even think about using simple passwords like 12345.
- Limit The Amount Of Data You Share With Companies You Don’t Trust
You can limit the data you share with companies you don’t trust. Be careful when downloading apps, especially those that are free. If an app asks for access to sensitive information such as location or contacts, research the company before agreeing to share this data with them.
Also, check out any app’s privacy policy and terms of service before downloading it. That way, you know what they’re allowed to do with your information once they get it (and whether their practices match yours).
Social media sites also collect a lot of private information about their users. Just take a look at Facebook’s terms of service! The best way to protect yourself from these sites stealing your sensitive info stolen is by limiting how much personal information goes onto social media platforms in the first place. If possible, avoid putting any identifying details into posts like addresses or phone numbers unless necessary. Don’t forget to ask the staff for assistance with this!
- Be Careful When Using Public Wi-Fi
While public Wi-Fi is convenient, it’s also inherently less secure than private networks. If you must use a public network, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your data. A VPN creates an encrypted channel between your computer and the VPN server. This prevents hackers from intercepting or modifying traffic as it travels across the internet.
A good rule of thumb when using any public internet connection is that if you wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing sensitive information over that connection, then don’t do so! If you don’t know how to set up a VPN, get the staff to help you!
- Keep Personal Information Private
You should never share personal information with people you don’t know. Don’t give out your password to anyone, either. It’s also a good idea not to save it in a file on your computer. If you need help remembering the passwords for all the accounts you’ve signed up for online, consider using a password manager instead of keeping them in a Word document on your computer.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many ways to keep your personal information safe. The best way to protect yourself is by being vigilant at all times. If you think something is suspicious or looks like spam, don’t click on it! Instead, contact the company directly and ask if they sent it.