Senior fun with tablet PC

Adults aged between 46 and 64 years old are lacking knowledge and skills when it comes to online safety and therefore failing to protect against identity fraud.

This group of adults, known as “silver surfers” or “baby boomers”, demonstrated a lack of awareness of basic internet security in a survey by AVG.

Key findings demonstrated after interviewing 1300 baby boomers included:

• Almost 60% of using multiple credit cards online, some with high credit limits.
• Only half of the baby boomer generation are actively backing up files and sensitive data.
• Only 40% use a password to lock their cell phone.

To mark National Cyber Awareness month in USA during October, AVG has pulled together our top tips to help baby boomers stay safe online whether they are shopping or banking on a computer or a tablet.

Use one low-limit credit card for online purchases

Using only a single credit card with a low limit can make it really easy to keep track of your spending online and can limit your exposure should your details fall into the wrong hands. Only 35% of baby boomers surveyed checked their bank statements more than once a week, something essential to prevent credit card fraud online. Using one credit card can make checking your statement online quick and easy.

The importance of backing up data

The Digitally Duped survey results show that only half of the baby boomer generation are actively backing up their files and sensitive data. It goes without saying that backing up files is an essential step in guarding yourself against loss or theft of your laptop, smartphone or even a computer system failure.

There are a number of ways you can back up your files, either locally onto a CD or USB drive or back your files up online. Cloud services like AVG LiveKive allow you to store everything that matters to you online so that you can access them from anywhere and not worry about losing the USB stick or CD.

Mobiles need protecting too

As technology is becoming more mobile, we’re carrying around ever more powerful devices. The Digitally Duped survey results show that baby boomers are more than happy to participate in the mobile Internet, with 61 percent of them using laptops, 30 percent using smartphones and another 20 percent using tablets to conduct online transactions.

It’s important to remember that just because a device is small doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be protected. Only 40% of baby boomers use a password to lock their cell phone. Think of all the personal details, calendar entries, messages, saved passwords and contact information that someone could obtain if your phone doesn’t have a password. Take this simple step now.

Free software like AVG AntiVirus for Android can help people secure their smartphones or tablet and has tools which can help recover your device if it gets lost or stolen.

Do you have any tips or stories about online safety? Come and share them with the AVG Community and join in the conversation.

For more information on any of our products visit AVG.com