The internet can help us to do a lot of things easily, but it is important to know how to trust a website before entering personal information or making a payment using a credit card. A few quick tips will help seniors identify trustworthy websites on the internet and put their mind at ease when browsing the web.
Senior citizens are one of the most vulnerable groups of Internet users who are prone to cyberattacks. Thus, assessing senior citizens’ motivation to acquire cybersecurity skills is critical to help them understand the risks of cyber-attacks.
Exercise 3.2: Internet security explained
Duration: 4h
Aims: Internet security is something everyone should prioritize, regardless of age, so it’s important to be aware of current threats and how to deal with them. With so many people online, the magnitude of scams is increasing.
Contents:
- Explaining the usage of internet browsers and basic internet search
- Using email safely
- Shopping and e-banking
- Social networks
Activity 3.2.1: Explain the browser and basic internet search security
Purpose of the exercise:
When we are online, we need to ensure that every website we interact with is legitimate which can be done using a few simple steps.
Duration in minutes: 30 minutes
Group size: 6-10 (medium)
Instructions for the trainer:
A good analogy for explaining an Internet browser to older people is to liken the Internet to a road and the browser to the car you choose to drive as you explore that road. While older people may feel more comfortable sticking with Internet Explorer simply because it’s the default browser, it’s never a bad idea to introduce them to the wonders of Firefox or Google Chrome. They just might like the way they handle the open road of the Internet quicker, safer and with much more many options.
Google is the obvious choice due to ease of use and accessibility, but people-powered search engine Mahalo is additionally helpful as it cuts through the spam to compile useful links and information on search terms.
Equipment: Smartphone and/or Computer, Access to internet, projector or videoconference system
Tips and tricks for the trainer:
- Search a term on the Internet to show them how it’s done. How and where a search is done on the Internet is the difference between a satisfying browsing experience and a world of frustration. Make sure older people know where to find what they’re searching for on the Internet.
Activity 3.2.2: using email safely
Purpose of the exercise:
Hackers are always on the lookout for vulnerable systems that they can break into. Viruses and other malware often infect a computer through email attachments, compromised software, or vulnerable Bluetooth connections. With so many powerful, affordable security tools on the market, there’s no reason to risk an infection.
Duration in minutes: 30 minutes
Group size: 6-10 (medium)
Instructions for the trainer:
Scams that are communicated through an email are the most common. Phishing, for example, tries to steal sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details for malicious purposes. Another form of email scams is whaling. It’s a lot like phishing, but the scammer targets businesses or C-level executives. Likewise, the email seems to come from a high-ranking executive, providing the scammer access to an account.
Equipment: Computer, projector
Tips and tricks for the trainer:
- Teach the wonders of e-mail by helping an older Internet user set up an e-mail account. If Microsoft Outlook proves too difficult older people to master, you might want to consider helping them set up an email account with one of the many free e-mail providers on the Internet. Yahoo! and Hotmail are two free e-mail classics, but for maximum ease of use we suggest setting older people up with a simple Gmail account.
Activity 3.2.3: Safe shopping and e-banking
Purpose of the exercise:
Show them how to shop safely online. Older people will appreciate these reasons to shop online: no tiresome running from store to store, no standing in lines, abounding great values and more. Older people, who aren’t familiar with the internet, may not understand the risks associated with online banking and how to protect their privacy.
Duration in minutes: 90 minutes
Group size: 6-10 (medium)
Instructions for the trainer:
- Inexperience with online shopping and the occasional shady online merchant can make shopping online dangerous for the elderly if they aren’t told what to watch out for. Lead older people to trusted shopping sites like Amazon and have them bookmark them for later use. Make sure that they know to look for the Verisign, or a similar security symbol, before ever entering any payment information.
- Make sure you take the time and really show them in simple steps how to go about this. Find out how they will absorb the information best. If they do better visually, show them a video. If they don’t want to deal with technology quite yet, offer them some books.
- Make sure to teach any senior you’re working with the basics of setting up a safe and secure online ID and password.
Equipment: computer, internet connection, projector
Tips and tricks for the trainer:
Advise seniors:
- Not to use any part of their social security number for their online ID or password.
- Make sure their user ID is easily recognizable to them. Using part of their name is fine for their user ID if they have a secure password.
- Always use at least eight characters in their password. Ideally, a password should contain both letters and numbers, and should not contain easy to guess information like their social security number, birth date, or driver’s license or identification card number. Names of pets and children should also be avoided.
- Not to store their online banking password on their computer.
- Protect their Home Computer, by using an up-to-date antivirus program.
- Only Use Online Banking In Secure Locations
- Avoid storing sensitive information on their mobile device
- Keep your firewalls turned on.
Activity 3.2.4: Social Networking
Purpose of the exercise:
The internet can be an excellent way to find friends, keep in touch with family, and be an active part of the community. With only a few things in mind senior scan be sure to make the most of the experience.
Duration in minutes: 90 minutes
Group size: 6-10 (medium)
Instructions for the trainer:
Introduce seniors to social networking. There’s a wealth of social networking sites online, and while Myspace may not suit them, older people may appreciate social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.
Basic steps:
- Explain the purpose of social network.
- Explain the basics before opening an account
- Explain the privacy policy
- Make sure seniors can commit to being member of a social networks
- Create their account with them
- Show them how to add information to their profile
- Help them to join groups in social networks, as well as Groups and Pages pertaining to old clubs or interests
Equipment: computer, internet connection, projector
Tips and tricks for the trainer:
Advise seniors:
- Everything you post is permanent. You have the option to delete a post, but it stays on the servers and might have been seen and saved by someone else already.
- Be careful of what information you share. The information you share publicly can be used by others.
- Make sure you know everyone you accept into your social network. Avoid accepting requests from people you’ve never met. They may have malicious intentions.
- Use caution when you click links. Any third-party links, even those shared by your friends and family, could lead you to a harmful website. Sometimes clicking a link forwards that link as a message to everyone in your social network. This can not only be annoying but can also compromise the security of everyone in your circle.
- Don’t let the website scan your email address book. They might use this list to spam everyone in your network.
- Never give money to someone you’ve met through a social network. Imposter scams cost victims millions of EUR per year, and the victims are routinely “groomed” by the scammer. The friendship or romance may go on for months before the subject of money comes up, but it will inevitably happen. Never send someone money, agree to accept money on someone’s behalf, or other similar situations.
