Online Safety Tips for Older Adults

Going online lets you keep learning, connect with friends and family and play games.

Just as you fasten your seat belt before driving, take precautions before using the

Internet to be sure you are safe and secure.

The first step is to STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Take safety measures, think about the consequences of your

actions and connect knowing you have taken steps to safeguard yourself when online.

PERSONAL INFORMATION IS LIKE MONEY. VALUE IT. PROTECT IT.

• Lock your devices, like your tablet and phone: You lock the front door to your house,

And you should do the same with your devices. Use strong passwords to lock your

Tablet and phone. Securing your devices keeps prying eyes out and can help protect

Your information in case your devices are lost or stolen.

• Think before you act: Ignore emails or communications that create a sense of urgency

And require you to respond to a crisis, such as a problem with your bank account or

Taxes. This type of message is likely a scam.

• When in doubt, throw it out: Clicking on links in emails is often how bad guys get

Access to personal information. If an email looks weird, even if you know the person

Who sent it, it’s best to delete.

• Make passwords strong: A strong password is a sentence that is at least 12

Characters long. Focus on positive sentences or phrases that you like to think about

And are easy to remember (for example, “I love country music.”). On many sites, you

Can even use spaces!

• Write it down and keep it safe: Everyone can forget a password. Keep a list that’s

Stored in a safe, secure place away from your computer.

SHARE WITH CARE

• What you post will last forever: Be aware that when you post a picture or message

Online, you may also be inadvertently sharing personal details with strangers about

Yourself and family members – like where you live.

• Post only about others as you would like to have them post about you: The golden

Rule applies online as well.

• Own your online presence: It’s OK to limit who can see your information and what

You share. Learn about and use privacy and security settings on your favourite

Websites.