How older Aussies can remain safe online

It's not absurd to assume that older adults are the target age group for scams. Year after year, they claim the top spot for losses. Last year, they were the only age group to increase their reported losses from scams, while all other age groups reported a decrease. This year, over 65s represent more than 30% of total reported losses in 2024. 

Most older adults use technology to their advantage. They use the internet to contact their friends and family, book online health appointments, and enlist the help of digital assistants like Alexa. 

But the issue isn’t remaining social—they have this part down pat. Research conducted by aged care provider Benetas has revealed that 50% of older adults use social media daily. Even though our older adults are more connected than ever, this research reveals that only 10% feel they can keep themselves safe online. An astonishing 80% of adults over 65 do not feel confident keeping themselves safe online. 

The internet is a scary place! It's rife with scammers who are experts in taking advantage of the older generation. It’s important for our aging population to feel safe online, especially when it comes to protecting their personal information.

The key to helping older Aussies feel safe online is education. They didn’t grow up with an iPad in their hands. They didn’t have to sit with their parents and brainstorm appropriate usernames and topics of discussion for chat rooms. Even when they did start sinking their teeth into the newest tech, no one explained the risks and how they could protect themselves. 

As many as 55% of older Aussies want to bolster their cyber safety knowledge. They want to learn how to avoid scams (58%), recognise phishing attempts (49%), and use their online banking safely (45%). 

Despite this, Benetas’ research confirms that older Aussies are doing all the right things on their end. 78% of survey respondents use antivirus software, 82% ignore unsolicited messages or emails, and 75% use strong passwords. 

If older Aussies are doing everything right, why don’t they feel secure online? 

Improving the digital skills of older adults will give them the confidence to remain safe online. It’ll also help them understand the importance of: 

• Updating device software. Hackers are always coming up with new ways to access your device. Thankfully, developers catch wind of them fairly quickly. Updating your device keeps it secure, and fixes any weaknesses in your system so it can keep your data safe. 
• VPN and antivirus software. VPNs encrypt data and mask your IP address so you can browse the internet without worrying who’s got their eye on you.
• Creating strong passwords, storing them using a password manager, and updating them regularly.
• Spotting the signs of a scam and knowing how to protect themselves.

Anyone can become a victim of fraud, theft, or scams. If your loved one doesn’t know the warning signs, they can easy fall into the web of a scammer. 

Some common tactics include:

• Requests for money: They claim your loved one is the recipient of a grand prize, or they have a ‘once in a lifetime’ investment opportunity. 
• High return rewards with no risk: Even worse, the investment opportunity purports to have ‘no risk’. Every investment has some level of risk; this could point to fraudulent intentions.
• Unsolicited emails, texts, or calls from a number that claims to be from a government agency: Anyone declaring themselves to be from the ATO or Medicare, followed by claims of an ‘urgent payment’ or thinly veiled threats is a scammer. 

Scammer tactics are constantly evolving. They’re more sophisticated than they used to be, as they take advantage of AI to mimic the voices of loved ones and create dating profiles of people who don’t exist. While odd grammar and spelling mistakes can point to a scam, your loved one must keep up to date on the new moves of scammers. This can be as simple as checking out the ACCC’s Scamwatch now and again, and keeping an ear out while they listen to the radio or TV.

BeConnected is a free program created by the Australian government. The program aims to help older Australians learn more about tech and online safety. They can also learn the ins and outs of their devices, how to use VPNs and antivirus programs, and the importance of password managers. 

Over 2 million Aussies have used BeConnected so far. The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, has commended the program and its benefits. “Technology has a wonderful ability to connect, enable and empower individuals and we must ensure older Australians are not only included in our increasingly online world but that they feel confident benefiting from it,” She said. 

What about those who learn by doing? As much as 70% of older adults prefer to learn about technology offline. Lucky for them, many libraries run free and in-person courses to support digital literacy. There’s also the Young Mentors program, where Sydney high school students help elderly community members improve their digital skills.

Benetas has partnered with the Cyber Safety Project to trial a digital safety project for seniors. The Cyber Safety Project holds workshops for families and kids in schools, covering topics like privacy, digital well-being, and online safety. The expectation is that the partnership will result in a tailored project that will help older Aussies feel safer online.

80% of older Aussies are concerned about the security of their personal information. Their age means they’re a likely target for scammers, so it’s important to establish some ground rules they should abide by when posting. 

• Avoid sharing or posting any personal or financial information on social media. 
• Be wary of how scammers can use public social media groups to execute scams.
• Don’t accept friend requests from anyone you don’t know in person.
• Revise your security settings – ensure your account is set to private, and multi-factor authentication is enabled. 
• Change your passwords regularly

The internet is rife with scams, theft, and fraud – it's reasonable for our older population to show concern for their safety. Increasing their digital skills and learning the telltale signs of scams can help them feel confident keeping themselves safe online.