Online Safety for Seniors: 7 Essentials Tips

11.10.2025 | Category: Health & Aging

Estimated Read Time: ~9 minutes

Summary: Online safety for seniors is manageable with the right guidance and tools. This article provides practical guidance for older adults on establishing strong passwords, configuring privacy settings, identifying and avoiding online scams, and securing personal information.

Seniors are prime targets for online scams, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid the internet. Criminals count on older adults being unfamiliar with their tricks. However, once you know what to watch for, you can safely enjoy everything the web offers without falling victim to fraud.

1. Be careful what you share on social media

Around 14 billion images are shared daily on social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram¹. It’s great to share your memories with your loved ones. But you should check your social media account settings before posting publicly. Reviewing the privacy settings on your accounts is simple.

Each social media website has a privacy page where you can learn about your account settings:

A few small adjustments to how you use social media can go a long way to protecting your privacy and keeping you safe online:

Be cautious about the pictures and videos you share. If you share pictures from your vacations, review the post’s privacy settings to make sure only trusted people can see your photos and know you’re away.
You may also want to hide your location from your posts. Some social media platforms automatically share your location so that your followers can see where you’re posting from. You can update this in the privacy settings of your social media accounts.
Ensure that you check the settings for apps linked to your social media accounts. Some apps have default settings that may allow them to access more information than you’re comfortable with.
It’s also worth reviewing older posts and photos. Over time, people forget what they’ve shared, and a determined scammer can piece together information from years of updates.
Consider removing anything that contains details such as your home address, full birthdate or vacation routines. Even harmless details can be used with other information to guess passwords or security questions.
Use different profile pictures for different platforms so that a stranger can’t easily track you across sites using facial recognition or image searches.

Practicing senior online safety by maintaining privacy across platforms can help protect against unwanted attention and ensure a safer digital experience.

2. Use strong, unique passwords and update them regularly

The general rule is that passwords should be at least eight characters long. They should also include letters, numbers and symbols. Avoid reusing passwords or using the same password for multiple accounts.

Fun ideas you can use to create passwords include:

Song lyrics
Lines from poems
Favorite quotes from TV shows

Passwords to avoid include²:

123456
Password
12345678
qwerty

Make your passwords harder to crack by replacing letters with numbers and symbols.

For example:

“Wild Kingdom Giraffes” becomes “W!ldKingd0mGir4ff3s”
“Jim Fowler is great” becomes “JimF0wl3r!sGr8”

Changing your passwords every 30 to 60 days helps ensure that stolen login information becomes outdated quickly.

Updating passwords is easier if you use a password manager. These tools generate strong random logins and store them securely, so you only need to remember one master password. If you prefer not to use a password manager, consider keeping a paper list in a locked drawer instead of saving passwords on your computer or phone, where they can be compromised.

Two-factor authentication adds an additional layer of protection³. It requires a code sent to your phone or email to be entered before you can log in. This makes it harder for someone to access your account even if they steal your password.

3. Never click on unfamiliar links—they might be scams

Avoid clicking on any links in emails or social media messages from unknown sources. It could be a virus. If the link comes from someone you know, confirm its legitimacy through a different channel, such as a text or phone call.

Phishing is a tactic used by online thieves who send suspicious emails and text messages that look like they’re from trusted companies to trick you into downloading malware or sharing personal information.

In most cases, this is done through sending links that mimic familiar company websites. If your family or friends fall for the phishing email, the hacker can send more fake emails to their contacts, gaining even more traction through phishing.

Well, you clicked on the sketchy link. What do you do?

Don’t blame yourself if you fall for a phishing link. Here’s what you can do to fix the situation:

Disconnect your device from the internet as soon as possible.
Save your files and back up your drive using a USB drive or a cloud storage service.
Purchase anti-virus software from a reputable company, such as Best Buy, to scan your computer and remove the virus.

Can you report a suspicious email?

Yes. You can report phishing emails to spam@uce.gov or reportphishing@apwg.org.

4. Watch for online dating and romance scams

The internet can be a great resource for dating or making friends, but you need to be cautious. Here are some internet safety tips to keep in mind when creating your profile and interacting online:

Check the person’s other online profiles to ensure they are legitimate. Social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn can provide you with some confirmation that the person you’re talking to is, in fact, who they say they are.
Don’t send money to people on the internet. A common scam involves people pretending to be someone else online, attempting to trick you into sending money, such as for a plane ticket to meet them.
Stay safe by being cautious about how much you reveal through your online dating profile. Although you may want to share your interests and likes, never disclose personal information, such as your social security number or home address. Be cautious when sharing your phone number.
If you do meet up with someone from an online dating site, it should happen in a public place. You may also want to ensure that your friends and family are aware.

5. Practice safe banking—avoid unsecured Wi-Fi and emails

Banking online can be a convenient way to deposit and access your funds, but you must be careful. Ensuring the security of your online banking account is vital. To help protect yourself, keep these tips in mind:

It’s much safer to log in to your bank account directly from your bank’s website than to click through an email.
Phishing emails may lead you to a malicious website that appears to be your bank’s, tricking you into entering your credentials.
Your bank will never ask for your password via email.
Avoid using unsecured Wi-Fi connections (such as those at airports, coffee shops, or shopping malls) to sign in to your bank accounts.

Keep your bank account secure online

Changing your banking passwords every few months makes it more difficult for online criminals to use your login information to gain access to your accounts.

6. Protect against identity fraud with security software

Identity fraud, especially online, can happen to anyone. Here are some steps to protect yourself from identity fraud:

Make sure your electronics have up-to-date security software.
Beware of phishing—do not click on unfamiliar links or open emails from unfamiliar sources.
Use caution or avoid sharing your Social Security number, credit card information, banking details, or Social Security benefits Check your credit score regularly to make sure there’s no unusual activity.
If you get a call from the IRS, it’s a scam. The IRS sends a letter through the mail if it thinks you owe money.

Freezing your credit is another protective measure against identity fraud. A credit freeze prevents new accounts from being opened in your name without your approval. This can deter thieves from obtaining loans or credit cards if they somehow get your information.

Regularly reviewing credit reports from all three major bureaus—Equifax, Experian and TransUnion—helps you catch unauthorized activity early. You can request one free report from each bureau every year at AnnualCreditReport.com.

7. Always log out of accounts, especially on public devices

If you log in to your online accounts on public computers, such as those at a library, be sure to log out. Leaving your accounts open on public computers, tablets or other devices puts you at risk for security or privacy issues. Never sign into bank accounts online through public Wi-Fi.

Moving forward with confidence

These online safety tips for seniors can help protect your privacy, giving you peace of mind while staying connected with your loved ones online. By following these safety guidelines, seniors can confidently navigate the digital world and avoid potential threats.

Staying alert online keeps your personal information safe and your connections worry-free. At Mutual of Omaha, we are committed to providing planning and guidance to help you navigate your world with confidence.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How can I tell if a website is secure before entering personal information?

Look for “https” at the start of the web address and a small padlock icon next to it. These indicate the site uses encryption to protect your data, making it safer for logins or purchases.

What should I do if I suspect someone is using my identity online?

Act quickly by contacting your bank and credit card companies to flag suspicious activity. Place a fraud alert on your credit report and change passwords for any accounts that might have been exposed.

Is it safe to use public charging stations for my phone or tablet?

Public USB ports can be vulnerable to “juice jacking,” where criminals install malware to steal data. To stay safer, carry your own charging cable and plug into a wall outlet or use a portable power bank.

Sources: