Older adults and cybersecurity

From mobile devices to connected home devices, technology is embedded in our lives. Emerging technologies, like generative artificial intelligence, have many benefits for society, but with those innovations come new opportunities for bad actors to disrupt our online activities at home, school, and at work.

According to the latest Cybersecurity Attitudes and Behaviors Report from the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA), 84% prioritize online safety. Yet only 38% use unique passwords for their accounts, and only 36% always install software updates—many of which include important security features.

There are simple, effective ways to stay safe online: Update passwords often; use multi-factor authentication whenever possible; and never use the same password for all your accounts—especially for banking. Your banking credentials should always be unique from any other online account.

One more precaution is a good healthy dose of skepticism. Never share personal information with someone you don’t know. Don’t click on any links or attachments in emails or texts you don’t recognize. Delete any suspicious emails or social media ‘friend’ invitations you receive.

But increasingly sophisticated scams – some using artificial intelligence – continue to target older adults. A recent article in Psychology Today showed that older adults’ vulnerability to scams like these can be exacerbated by social, emotional and cognitive problems, and that limited social network size, loneliness and social isolation also increase risk.

One sinister development is the rise in sophisticated ‘vishing’ or ‘voice phishing’ scams.

One sinister development is the rise in sophisticated ‘vishing’ or ‘voice phishing’ scams, in which fraudsters use voice messages or phone calls to trick people into sharing personal information. AI is now making it possible for bad actors to mimic people’s voices and even respond to questions in real-time. Older adults are especially vulnerable to this scam.

If you receive an unexpected call, even from someone you know, always verify their identity through another method like texting or emailing them, and never give out personal information.

Having a conversation with your parents, grandparents or other older adults in your life about recognizing and avoiding cyber threats can be difficult – for you and for them – and even a little intimidating. But it’s critically important, and there is easily accessible help online.

NBT Bank offers online resources for recognizing and avoiding online threats. Other organizations such as NCA, the National Institute on Aging, the National Council on Aging, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the FBI, and the American Bar Association have increased their focus on cybersecurity for older adults.

Information is power and armed with resources like these, we can help older adults stay safe and protect them from fraud in an ever-complex digital world.

Terra Carnrike-Granata is Senior Vice President and Senior Director of Information Security at NBT Bank.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Lakeville Journal and The Journal does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

A scenic 32-mile loop through Litchfield County

Whenever I need to get a quick but scenic bicycle ride but don’t have time to organize a group ride that involves driving to a meeting point, I just turn right out of my driveway. That begins a 32-mile loop through some of the prettiest scenery in northern Litchfield County.

I ride south on Undermountain Road (Route 41 South) into Salisbury and turn right on Main Street (Route 44 West). If I’m meeting friends, we gather at the parking area on the west side of Salisbury Town Hall where parking is never a problem.

Keep ReadingShow less
Biking Ancramdale to Copake

This is a lovely ride that loops from Ancramdale north to Copake and back. At just over 23 miles and about 1,300 feet of elevation gain, it’s a perfect route for intermediate recreational riders and takes about two hours to complete. It’s entirely on quiet roads with little traffic, winding through rolling hills, open countryside, picturesque farms and several lakes.

Along the way, you’ll pass a couple of farmstands that are worth a quick visit. There is only one hill that might be described as steep, but it is quite short — probably less than a quarter-mile.

Keep ReadingShow less
Taking on Tanglewood

Aerial view of The Shed at Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass.

Provided

Now is the perfect time to plan ahead for symphonic music this summer at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts. Here are a few highlights from the classical programming.

Saturday, July 5: Shed Opening Night at 8 p.m. Andris Nelsons conducts the Boston Symphony Orchestra as Daniil Trifonov plays piano in an All-Rachmaninoff program. The Piano Concerto No. 3 was completed in 1909 and was written specifically to be debuted in the composer’s American tour, at another time of unrest and upheaval in Russia. Trifonev is well-equipped to take on what is considered among the most technically difficult piano pieces. This program also includes Symphonic Dances, a work encapsulating many ideas and much nostalgia.

Keep ReadingShow less
James H. Fox

SHARON — James H. Fox, resident of Sharon, passed away on May 30, 2025, at Vassar Brothers Hospital.

Born in New York, New York, to Herbert Fox and Margaret Moser, James grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. He spent his summers in Gaylordsville, Connecticut, where he developed a deep connection to the community.

Keep ReadingShow less