Don't Fall for That! The 2025 Internet Survival Guide

Online scams and confusion can happen to anyone, and older adults are often targeted because scammers assume they’re less familiar with the latest gadgets. In fact, Americans over 60 lost nearly $5 billion to online scams in 2024 alone *. Alarming? Yes – but don’t let it scare you off technology. By learning a few basic safety habits and digital literacy tips, you can protect yourself and still have fun online!

Ask Questions and Keep Learning

Don’t ever feel embarrassed to ask for help or clarification about technology. Don't fret if you're unfamiliar with tech jargon. Ask a family member, friend, or even voice assistants for help when you’re stuck. You might say:

“I’m seeing a message I don’t understand, what should I do?” Chances are someone can explain it in plain English.

Community centers, libraries, and schools often offer basic computer classes – these can be a great (and social) way to learn. Remember, every tech expert was once a beginner. Staying curious and asking questions is we become more comfortable. As one cybersecurity blog puts it: never be ashamed to speak up if something confuses you or even if you think you fell for a scam – getting help quickly can prevent further issues *. In short, keep learning at your own pace, and don’t let the tech jargon stress you out!

Beware of Pop-ups and Scam Calls

Have you ever had a pop-up message flash on your screen, screaming about a virus and ordering you to “CALL NOW!”? Take a deep breath – it’s a scam. Tech support scammers create fake pop-ups in web browsers that look urgent but are trying to scare you into paying for help you don’t need. A rule of thumb: if a pop-up window suddenly warns you of a virus or problem, do not click any links and do not call the phone number it shows *. Legitimate security alerts from real companies will never ask you to call a random number or download software from a pop-up.

Similarly, if someone calls you out of the blue claiming to be from “Microsoft” or “Amazon” about a problem with your computer or account, be very skeptical. Big companies won’t cold-call you about tech issues. If you get an unexpected call saying “your computer is infected” or “we detected fraud on your account,” hang up the phone! The caller is almost certainly an imposter. Never give control of your computer to a stranger who calls, and never share any passwords.

In short, those scary pop-ups and spam calls are as fake as a $3 bill – ignore them or end the call. If you’re genuinely concerned, call a trusted tech-savvy person or the company’s verified support line yourself (look up the number on a legitimate website or find their card) to double-check. A healthy dose of skepticism will keep these scammers at bay!

Think Twice Before Clicking Email Links or Attachments

Email is a wonderful tool to stay in touch, but it’s also a common way scammers try to trick people. Phishing emails (pretending to be from someone you trust) might say things like “Urgent: Update Your Account Now” or even pose as a friend asking for help. As a rule, do not open suspicious emails or click on links from unknown senders. Even if an email looks like it’s from a company you know, check the sender’s address for weird spellings or extra characters. Scammers often create addresses that look real at first glance. If Aunt Mary’s email suddenly asks you to click a weird link or a bank you use wants your password via email – stop. Verify first: call Aunt Mary to ask if she sent something, or open your bank’s website yourself (don’t use the email’s link) to check your account.

Be especially wary of attachments in emails you didn’t expect. That “invoice.pdf” or “funnyphoto.jpg” could hide a virus. If an email claims you’ve won a contest you never entered, it’s a scam. If it threatens “your account will be closed!” – likely a scam too. Keep your email guard up. Remember, legitimate institutions won’t ask for sensitive info (passwords, Social Security numbers) over email *. When in doubt, delete the email or have someone you trust take a look. It’s better to miss one odd message than to click on a trap.

Stay Safe on Social Media and Messenger Apps

Facebook and other social apps are great for sharing photos of the grand kids, but they come with some pitfalls. One common scheme is the Facebook Messenger scam. You might get a message that seems to be from a friend or relative, but something feels “off.” Perhaps they say “Hey, is this you in this video?” or “Guess who died?” with a link attached – yikes! In many cases, scammers impersonate people you know by hijacking or copying a friend’s account . They send urgent or curiosity-piquing messages out of the blue, hoping you’ll click without thinking. If you do engage, the scammer may quickly ask for money, personal details, or send you a login page that steals your password.

How to stay safe? Be skeptical of surprise messages asking for money or personal info, even if they appear to come from someone you trust. If a long-lost acquaintance suddenly messages you about a “great deal” or “emergency,” pause and verify. Give your friend a quick call or start a fresh message thread with them (not replying directly to the suspicious message) to ask if it’s really them. Never send passwords, verification codes, or financial info over Messenger. And if you see language like “I need your help urgently, but don’t tell anyone else,” that’s a huge red flag. According to experts, Americans lost over $1.2 billion to scams starting on social media in 2022 *, so it’s important to stay alert on these platforms. When in doubt, ignore or block unexpected requests – your real friends will understand if you’re being cautious.

Guard Your Personal Information Like Gold

Whether it’s on the phone, email, or websites – be very protective of your personal data. Your birth date, address, Social Security number, bank and credit card info, passwords – treat these like gold. Never give out personal or financial information to someone who contacts you unsolicited *. Banks, Medicare, the IRS, or legitimate companies won’t call or email you asking for your full Social Security or password. If you receive a call saying “This is the IRS, we need your bank account now or you’ll be arrested,” it’s a scam (the IRS contacts by mail, not threatening calls). If someone emails claiming to be from Medicare wanting your Medicare ID, don’t click – call Medicare directly at their official number if you’re concerned.

It’s also wise to use strong, unique passwords for your online accounts. For example, don’t use Password123 or your pet’s name for everything. If remembering passwords is hard, write them in a safe place or use a reputable password manager. This way, if one account is compromised, the others stay safe *. And never share your passwords with anyone over phone or email – real tech support won’t ask for them. Finally, consider enabling two-factor authentication (a secondary code or confirmation on your phone) for important accounts like banking or email; it adds an extra lock that scammers can’t easily pick.

On social networks, think twice about what you share publicly. Posting your mother’s maiden name, your birthday, or the name of your first pet might seem fun – but those are often answers to security questions. A scammer could use that info. So keep personal details private unless you really want the whole world (and potential scammers) to know.

Before You Give Away Your Device, Wipe It Clean

Planning to upgrade your smartphone or donate an old computer to a family member? Wonderful – just make sure you clean your data off the device first. Many people don’t realize that phones, tablets, and computers store personal information (emails, photos, saved passwords, etc.) that could still be accessible if you hand the device to someone else while logged in. To avoid accidentally sharing your digital life, sign out of accounts like iCloud (on iPhones), Google/Gmail (on Android phones), or Windows user accounts on a PC. The safest bet is to perform a factory reset on the device, which will erase your personal data. (Just be sure to back up any files or photos you want to keep before wiping the device!) As AARP tech experts note, if you’re selling, donating, or recycling a computer or phone, you should backup your data and then erase the device beforehand *. This will remove your emails, apps, and accounts so the next person can’t snoop through them. It’s a bit like shredding personal documents before tossing them out – a little effort now can prevent a potential privacy headache later. If you’re not sure how to wipe a device, ask a tech-savvy friend or look up instructions for your specific model (Apple, Android, Windows, etc.).

Stay Up-to-Date and Use Built-in Protections

Finally, take advantage of the helpful features your devices already have. Keep your smartphone, tablet, or computer updated with the latest software updates – these often include security patches that protect you from new threats . It might be annoying to install updates, but it’s worth it. Similarly, use antivirus software if you have a PC, and make sure it’s updating itself too. Most modern devices also have pop-up blockers and spam filters – use them! For example, your browser can block a lot of those nasty pop-ups automatically, and your email’s spam folder does a decent job catching junk mail. Your phone carrier might even warn you of scam calls by labeling them as “Scam Likely” on the caller ID  – a huge hint not to pick up. Pay attention to those warnings and don’t be afraid to let unknown callers go to voicemail.

Also, trust your instincts. If something online feels off or too good to be true (“Free money just click here!”), it’s almost certainly a scam. Close the window, delete the message, or hang up the call. You won’t miss out on a legitimate opportunity by double-checking it’s real – real offers will still be there when you verify them. Scams rely on rushing you. So take your time and when in doubt, run it by someone you trust.

Conclusion: You’ve Got This!

Navigating technology might seem daunting at first, but with these tips, you can feel confident. Stay curious and cautious, and remember you’re in control. Knowledge is your best defense online – and you’ve just armed yourself with plenty of it! From avoiding sneaky scams to keeping your devices clean and secure, a little awareness goes a long way. And if you ever stumble, don’t be embarrassed – even younger folks get tricked sometimes or need to ask for help. The internet and gadgets are there to serve you, not confuse you. So go ahead and video chat with family, shop online, and share those cat videos – just keep your guard up and your common sense engaged. With a dash of skepticism and the tips above, you can enjoy the perks of modern tech while staying safe and sound. Happy browsing!