Her most recent research Kaspersky Lab and B2B International has raised concerns about the safety of people over 55 years when they are online. The findings of the research, in a report entitled: "Greater and wiser? A look at the threats faced by people over 55 years when they are online”, demonstrate that this age team can behave insecurely online and often become a victim of fraud.
The findings are worrying because the research, involving 12.546 Internet users worldwide, shows that the older generation is a truly very attractive target for digital criminals.
Many people over 55 years when they are online make online purchases and banking and communicate with their loved ones without effectively protecting themselves and the things that are most important to them from digital criminals.
Although this age group is more likely to install security software on their computers, they are less likely to protect their mobile devices or modify their behavior when online to stay safe. For example, they use high privacy settings for social media and in their browser less than other age groups (30% vs. 38%). They are also unlikely to use the security features that come with their devices (such as "find my device") or VPNs - 28% and 10% respectively, compared to 42% and 16% respectively of users of all ages.
The older generation uses the Internet for many aspects of their lives - increasing their vulnerability to digital criminals if they continue to connect to the Internet without taking precautions. They use the Internet to communicate with others. Specifically, 94% of those over the age of 55 send emails regularly.
They are also connected to the Internet to complete their day-to-day work. This age group is more likely than others to conduct financial transactions over the Internet, with 90% of over 55 years doing purchases and online banking (compared to the average 84% of users on average across all age groups) .
However, despite this, only half of over-55s (49%) are concerned about their vulnerability when buying products online and the vast majority (86%) do not believe they are a target for digital criminals. Worryingly, four in ten (40%) have put themselves at risk bychange financial data publicly (compared to 15% across all age groups).
Lack of technological knowledge makes people over 55 less prepared for the dangers of the online world. As a result, this generation is victimized by digital criminals. According to the report, 20% of Internet users as a whole have elderly relatives who have experienced malware and 14% has elderly relatives who have fallen victim to bogus online draws. In addition, 13% has older relatives who have shared too much personal information about themselves on the Internet and 12% has elderly relatives who have been the victim of online fraud, have encountered inappropriate / vulgar content, or have contacted dangerous Internet strangers .
Andrei Mochola, Head of Consumer Business of Kaspersky Lab, commented: "On the one hand, it is wonderful to see so many people over the age of 55 use the Internet to shop, do banking and stay connected with their loved ones. The report clearly shows that this generation "embraces" a connected life and all the opportunities that come with it. On the other hand, however, it is clear that those over 55 have not done enough to protect themselves properly. What is worrying is that they do not even think that it is a target for digital criminals, but they put themselves in danger repeatedly.
"In Kaspersky Lab, we call older Internet users to become aware of the dangers they face when they are online, and to actoin a technologically more skilful way. We also encourage younger Internet users to help their elderly relatives and friends protect themselves better than the real threats posed by digital criminals. Alert when they are online, as well as installing reliable security solutions and ensuring high privacy settings for all devices used for access on the Internet, will ensure a happy and healthy connected life," he concludes.
For more information on the online behavior of elderly users and the online threats they encounter, you can visit the specialon the site. You can also test your own level of digital knowledge here. for more tips on how to protect yourself online you can read the special blogspot.
