The elderly in the United States are vulnerable to these digital threats, experts warn
As digital technology continues to progress, older people have a particularly high risk of being attacked by scammers, experts say.
It is important that older people find a balance between enjoying the advantages of the Internet and staying safe, according to Tom Kamber, founder and executive director of the National Senior Adult Technology Services (Avo) without profit, which is part of AARP.
“Everyone has to use the Internet these days for many basic activities,” Kamber said in New York headquarters to News Digital.
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In an interview, the expert shared some of the main barriers and threats facing older people when it comes to technology.
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The non -profit old adult technology services hope to train “tens of thousands of people” in digital security through a new initiative with Verizon. (Istock)
Scams and fraud
The number 1 digital risk for older people is scam and fraud, Kamber said, and an AARP survey found that the main obstacle to using technology is fear of privacy violations.
“You have a goal in your back when you get old these days, because people disproportionately try to those scams to older people,” he warned.
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Many older people have been scammed with money through AI Deep Fakes online or by phone, Kamber said.
These can be difficult to differentiate without adequate knowledge of what is real or not.
Older people should develop skills to enable password protection and learn to recognize deep falsifications, an expert said. (Istock)
“It is very unfair, and it is really a challenge, but older adults are five times more likely to lose money in a scam than younger people.”
Verify websites and email addresses to make sure they are reliable and of good reputation can help avoid scams such as phishing, according to Kamber.
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In a separate interview with News Digital, The social worker and gerontologist licensed, Macie Smith, advised the elderly not to respond to any call that can come from a “person who calls spam” or “called unknown.”
“It is likely to be someone with whom he did not share his number, and did not give him permission to call him,” said the expert based in South Carolina.
The voice cloning can produce a call that sounds like a loved one, experts warned. (Istock)
“Do not click on any link that is sent by email, send a text message or be sent on the social networks of the people with whom it is not familiar.”
If someone receives a little characteristic message of a contact on social networks, there is the possibility that the profile of the sender has been duplicated by a scammer. In that case, Smith said people should call the individual to confirm.
Threats driven by AI
Although artificial intelligence can be baked in telephone scams, the content generated by AI on social networks, including fake photos and videos, is another “prevalent” problem for some older people, Kamber warned.
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“There are many challenges at this time with access to what is true and reliable information about this,” he said.
“You can still recognize certain characteristics of the presentation that will give you a clue that something is a bit off.”
If something seems “too good to be true” on the Internet, there may be more, said an expert. (Istock)
Kamber encouraged older people to build their “social social sense” and “street intelligence” and apply these traits to online behavior.
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“Common sense is possibly one of the largest assets for older people by learning to navigate this new world,” he added.
Overcome barriers
To protect themselves from possible threats, Kamber recommended that older adults maintain an open dialogue with family and friends that can serve as a resource for questions related to technology.
To protect themselves from possible threats, older adults should seek guidance from family and friends for questions related to technology. (Istock)
“We are all going to talk about what is real and what is not real online for the next 50 years,” he said. “We need to constantly nourish … our help support channels so that we can be more resistant.”
Smith suggested that older people share their login information with a reliable person and technology expert.
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“In this way, if there is ever a concern or question, that person can help him determine the credibility of the information and the source,” he said.
It is important that older people are not restricted to be active in the “current digital panorama,” Smith added.
“It is important that we all stay up to date with what is good digital hygiene,” said an expert. (Istock)
“Some of the things that depend, such as the benefits of Social Security, must be administered online,” he said.
Social networks can also help combat loneliness and isolation in the upper population, the expert said.
“Older adults are five times more likely to lose money in a fraud than younger people.”
“We want to offer as many safeguards as possible to reduce or eliminate their risks of being scammed, while we continue to ensure that they are socially compromised.”
Digital Welfare Teaching
OATS offers free technology and training programs for Americans over 50, Kamber shared. The organization recently associated with Verizon to join its digital well -being initiative.
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OATS will provide free digital well -being lessons in Verizon stores and the centers for the elderly, focused on helping people obtain the benefits of technology while using it more safely and effectively.
“It encourages us to balance potential risks and learn to mitigate them,” Kamber said.
The elderly should be encouraged to learn how devices work instead of being dissuaded from the digital world, experts recommend. (Istock)
Donna EPPS, Business Director responsible for Verizon, emphasized the need for training in digital literacy among older people.
“The voice cloning of AI: you can receive a call, and sounds like a loved one who is in trouble and looks for money, that is a new common scam of online criminals,” said Washington’s expert in Washington, DC, News Digital.
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“It is important that we all stay up to date with good digital hygiene: what are the strategies, what should we take into account?”
Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for News Digital.