Many seniors feel intimidated by technology, believing it requires a degree in computer science to stay safe. But cybersecurity isn’t about code; it’s about boundaries. You have spent decades protecting your home, your family, and your wallet. The rules of the “Digital Home” are exactly the same.
The “Digital Street Smarts” Mindset:
- The Front Porch: Your email inbox is like your front porch. Just because a package (email) lands there doesn’t mean you have to bring it inside (click the link). If a stranger left a box ticking on your porch, you wouldn’t open it. Treat unexpected emails the same way.
- The Peep Hole: Before you answer a digital “knock” (a request for information), look through the peep hole. Verify who is there. Does the email address match the company? Is the tone frantic?
- The Gut Check: You have intuition honed by experience. If something feels “off”—too good to be true, or strangely urgent—trust that feeling.
Action Step: Today, look at your email inbox with a critical eye. If you see a message from a “Bank” or “Service” you didn’t ask for, delete it. You are the captain of this ship.