More and more seniors are entering into the world of technology these days, often to keep up with grandchildren, to pursue hobbies, or to order products they can’t purchase locally. If you’re one of these seniors, then you may be both excited and nervous to explore new technology areas. Part of your nerves might stem from concerns over technology safety, so try some of the following tips to put your mind at ease.
Make Things Easy on Yourself
First, make things easy on yourself by starting slowly in the world of technology. Don’t get overwhelmed by trying to learn a new computer, tablet, and smartphone all at the same time. Get used to one device first, and then move on to the next one only when you’re relatively comfortable.
Also, don’t swamp yourself with an abundance of apps all at once. On a tablet or phone, you can begin with a browser, a reader, and a couple of games. On a Windows 11 computer, try OneLaunch, a program that puts everything you need right at your fingertips in an organized, easy-to-access manner. You’ll breathe a sigh of relief to find links to all your apps and documents right in one place.
Create Strong Passwords
Next, make sure that you create strong passwords for your devices and accounts. Don’t use simple words or names that people would be likely to guess. Rather, combine lower- and upper-case letters, numbers, and symbols to boost security. Avoid, for instance, passwords like “cats345.” Instead, use something like “c3A4t5S6*!*.”
Try to come up with a different password for each device and account, or if you must duplicate, be extra sure that your passwords are strong. You can use an electronic password wallet to store your passwords, or simply write them in a small notebook that you keep in a safe place away from your devices. Change your passwords quickly at the first sign that any device or account may be compromised.
Don’t Fall for Scams
Scams are all too common these days, so protect yourself by being aware of them so that you don’t fall for them. You might do some research about the latest tech scams going around. You’ll find a lot about “phishing,” for example. Scammers often send emails that look official and claim that your account with a particular company has been compromised. Don’t buy it. Just take a look at the sender’s email address, and you’ll see that it has nothing to do with the company in question. Throw the email right in the trash. If you’re ever in doubt about an account, go right to the company’s website, and check there.
Shop Safely
Finally, be sure to shop safely when you shop online. Purchase only from credible, well-known merchants, and always check that a website encrypts the personal data you enter. You can tell that by looking for a little padlock in the address line on your browser. If the padlock is missing, don’t take the risk of sharing your information.
Use Common Sense
Technology safety is really about common sense, and you’ve developed plenty of that over the years. So follow these tips, and then enjoy your time with technology.
