In Toronto, ON, elder care professionals often recommend seniors spend some time on the Internet every day. Online browsing and socializing can boost their mood and brighten their day. However, the Internet also has a few risks and dangers. Here are a few ways your senior loved one can stay safe from the dangers of the Internet.
Make Passwords Stronger
Many seniors don’t know they are specifically targeted by cyber criminals who already have at least some information about them. With basic data such as a seniors’ maiden name or the street he or she grew up on, a criminal can easily break into an account. Your loved one should keep all his or her passwords in a jumbled mixture of letters and numbers. The password hints should be as obscure as possible and should not contain any data that can be easily found on Facebook or another social media site.
Don’t Share Personal Information Online
Many seniors are not familiar with the idea of permanent access to personal information. As soon as something is put on the Internet, it could be there for the rest of your loved one’s life. As a general rule, your loved one should assume that any personal data or pictures he or she puts on social networking sites can be accessed by anyone from anywhere in the world.
Beware of Free Offers
If a giveaway or prize seems too good to be true, it probably is. Your loved one needs to be extra careful with “free” programs that require his or her credit card information for shipping costs or to keep on file for a later time, and he or she should only shop at reputable sites.
Look for Red Flags in Emails
Emails are used to scam thousands of people every day, which is why your loved one needs to be on the lookout for certain red flags that indicate the email might be spam. In most situations, your loved one should not open an email if he or she does not recognize the sender. If your loved one does receive an email from someone he or she knows, but the content seems unusual, he or she should call the person to verify what it means.
For more tips on senior safety, browse through our blog section. If you’re looking for trusted Toronto, ON, caregivers, reach out to Home Care Assistance today. For several years we have assisted seniors in Ontario by providing reliable hourly and live-in caregivers. Call us today at (416) 488-8777 to schedule a no-obligation consultation and find out more about our in-home senior care services, such as meal preparation, laundry, companionship, light housekeeping, and specialized Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s care.