Protecting Our Elders from the Ethical Crisis of Modern Cyber Attacks

Cybersecurity breaches can happen to anyone. In fact, they do. There are thousands of online attacks launched against businesses and individuals every single day.

While we all need to develop an attitude of caution when it comes to online encounters, certain segments of the population are uniquely at risk.

Senior citizens are not only more likely to experience breaches, but more likely to face serious consequences when they do.

In this article, we take a look at why breaches happen and how we can make the cyber world a safer place for people of all ages.

Overview: Why Cybersecurity Breaches Happen

Cybersecurity breaches happen overwhelmingly as a result of human error. Generally speaking, the root cause is often simple and innocuous, the sort of experience a person might have and then quickly forget.

For example, you receive an email that looks like it came from Amazon, Home Depot, or Target. The email references a purchase you recently made and provides a link so that you can cancel it.

In reality, you did not buy a $600 generator, but cybercriminals are counting on the fact that you will be so panicked at the sight of a large invoice that you click the link against your better judgment.

By the time you are taken to a strange landing page that asks for your credit card number, you realize you have made a mistake. You close the tab and hope for the best.

What happens next? Possibly nothing. Possibly something. It is in these small moments that cybercriminals can gain access to a computer and linger there for months or even years, stealing information and compromising data.

Senior citizens are certainly not the only ones at risk for social engineering schemes of this kind. In fact, most of the biggest data breaches you have ever heard of, the kinds that impact Fortune 500 companies, began in exactly these types of conditions.

Why Senior Citizens Are Uniquely at Risk

Often, the conversation surrounding cyber activity and senior citizens lacks nuance and understanding.

It is true that senior citizens grew up in a time when digital activity was less prominent. They did not focus on cybersecurity from childhood the way a 90s child might have.

All of that said, they are not gullible or naive. In fact, many of them have been using computers for 20-plus years.

It is not that their understanding of digital technology is non-existent, simply that it is not always as frequently refreshed as that of someone who works on a computer 40 hours a week.

Cybercriminals are aware that people in their late 60s and older may not be constantly updating firewalls or attending mandatory work-related seminars on best security practices.

Consequently, they are frequently targeted. And because cybercriminals lack decency, they are equally prone to targeting people who are particularly vulnerable, including seniors who may be experiencing the early stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia.

The more vulnerable the target, the easier the crime.

It is entirely possible for aging Americans to use the internet safely. That said, there are several important factors that should be taken into account.

Step 1: Make Sure Firewalls Are Up to Date

Great software can catch the majority of cybersecurity incidents, particularly in situations where the vulnerable party has a reasonably well-developed understanding of internet safety.

For example, someone in their late 60s who has been using a computer professionally since 1998 but, in retirement, simply has not kept up with the latest trends in cybersecurity.

If you have someone like that in your life, sitting down with them to update their firewalls and ensure that their cybersecurity software is comprehensive is a powerful first step.

Step 2: Education

The social engineering phishing email scheme referenced earlier is an excellent example of the sort of threat a person will not know to look out for without education.

Phishing emails from just 10 years ago were considerably more straightforward. Instead of appearing to come from Amazon or Walmart, they came from African princes promising millions of dollars in exchange for a Social Security number and credit card information.

Someone who knows to ignore those obvious scams, or spam emails offering miracle cures, may not be as cautious when confronted with an email that appears to come from a trusted brand.

There are many resources available to help people stay up to date on modern cybersecurity threats, including articles like this one.

For more personalized education, look for opportunities within your community. Libraries often offer programming designed specifically for people who are retirement age.

These classes not only teach senior citizens what to watch for online, but can also be empowering, helping expand their world by making digital spaces safer and easier to understand.

Step 3: Consider Supervision

If you have an aging relative who uses the computer often, though not always as responsibly as you would prefer, an element of supervision similar to what you might apply to a child’s online habits can be appropriate.

This is not a decision families make lightly, but it can help provide the right balance of autonomy and safety.

Parental controls, as they are often called, can help ensure that only safe websites and communication channels are being used.

Naturally, this is an uncomfortable situation and one that should involve full transparency. In other words, do not simply go into your grandmother’s computer and change the settings without telling her. Have a conversation.

Explain your intentions clearly: I want you to be able to connect with all of us on Facebook and email. I just want to make sure it is being done safely. I would like to put a few safeguards in place so we can protect your information while keeping you connected.

Conclusion

The ethics surrounding cybersecurity are constantly evolving. It is not only about how individuals stay safe at home, but also how businesses manage the information they collect from us, often without clearly disclosing what we are agreeing to. In many cases, it is through external sources that our information is at the greatest risk.

Senior citizens, and the rest of the population, can take every imaginable precaution at home and still have their information compromised by a business they trusted. While there is little control individuals have over that reality, paying attention to which businesses hold your personal information can help you make more informed decisions.

As the law continues to evolve in response to a rapidly changing digital landscape, it is important to remain vigilant, no matter your age.