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", Show that this age group can behave safely on the Internet and often fall victim to fraud.
The findings are alarming because the survey, which involved 12.546 users of the internet worldwide, shows that the older generation is a very attractive target for digital criminals indeed.
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 Appliances or modify their online behavior 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 across 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) .
Yet, only half of 55 years (49%) worry about their vulnerability when they buy online products and the overwhelming majority (86%) does not believe it is a target for digital criminals. It is worrying that four out of ten (40%) have put themselves at risk by exchanging financial information publicly (compared to 15% across all age groups).
A lack of technological knowledge makes the over-55s less prepared for the dangers of the online world. As a result, this generation is being victimized by digital criminals. According to the report, 20% of Internet users overall have elderly relatives who have faced malicious software and 14% have elderly relatives who have fallen victim to fake online lotteries. Additionally, 13% have elderly relatives who have shared too much personal information about themselves online, and 12% have elderly relatives who have been victims of online fraud, encountered inappropriate/obscene content, or communicated with dangerous strangers online .
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 installation reliable security solutions and ensuring high privacy settings for all devices used to access 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 specialist blogspot.
