Protecting the Elderly from Digital Deception
Lifelong Learning and Education as a Shield Against Social Engineering Attacks and Other Cyber Threats
It was a typical Sunday afternoon, the kind when the sun slowly comes through the curtains and everything seems to take a deep, happy breath. I was raking leaves in the yard and losing track of time when my phone rang.
It was dad, and his voice was a mix of fear and confusion as he talked about how a friendly voice on the phone, claiming to be from his bank, had skillfully gotten past his own doubts.
Even with the arsenal of digital protections and computing defences I’ve set up for him, these bad actors got past his defenses by asking him the right questions at the right time, which led him to give away personal information he had never planned to give away.
After the call ended, these crooks had already gotten through the gates.
It was a stark reminder of the vulnerability that comes not from a lack of technology, but from a moment of trust in a world that often preys on it.
This incident wasn’t just a wake-up call; it was a clarion call to arms, highlighting the urgent need to fortify our elders against the cunning of social engineering hacks.
