The old persons take on protecting your stuff: Recent Episodes
Director
When it comes to retirees, the elderly and mature aged people there is a huge issue with the digital components of their lives that have been forced on them through the embracing of the internet.
Introduction to the episode
This episode we are going to focus on privacy
Privacy protection is keeping your information from getting into the wrong hands
Ever heard of KISS (keep it simple stupid) KISS for privacy is all about just that.
Any information that is specifically related to you that could identify you easily should not be shared
Passport numbers
License Numbers
Dates of birth
Credit cards
Bank accounts
Super
Sometimes some information is needed - Government sites, medical sites, banking sites.
But in most cases think carefully about the information and whether you use real info of just make it up (hint - if it cannot be checked then use a fake)
We are putting this information on the internet continually we need to reduce it
Lets talk about privacy and how people handle it
What is privacy
Your information
Any information specifically related to you
You have been bought up with a privacy mindset - use it
How do we protect our information
Reduces the chances of scams but it is also information they are after
If asked then be wary
Look at the systems (compliance)
Is it reputable
Have you heard of them
Is it secure
How do they get your information
Social media
Wifi
insecure sites
Links and attachments
surveys
Scams
Pop ups
Some basic protection and ones we have already spoken about
Passwords
2FA
What else
Privacy settings on everything - check regularly
Public information on public sites - including Notes, office, google
Turn of tracking as much as comfort will allow
Get an alias (spare email address to use on sites you are not sure about) that you can use
End to end encryption - might be a bit far but use an encrypted end to end messenger (WhatsApp, telegram)
Turn off lock screen notifications
Summary
Introduction to the episode
In the first 2 episodes of "an old persons take on protecting your stuff podcast," we focused on 2 very important areas of digital hygiene and etiquette.
Passwords - unique, complex and 12 characters long or just get a password manager
Multi-factor authentication - Username = Who you are, Password = what you know and 2FA = something you own. Adding 2 FA to an account makes them more secure
So let's talk about all things SCAMMING
One of the best targets of the internet scammer are the elderly and retired.
There are a number of reasons for this:
The elderly can be gullible
The elderly are scared of new technology and systems
It is easy to scare the elderly because most of their lives that have been law-abiding citizens and the threat of police and fines has an additional impact
The elderly are easy to panic and fluster
The problem with scammers is that once they have caught you it is very hard to get away from them.
If they were successful in scamming you they will keep trying.
In this episode we are going to focus on not getting scammed
How not to be scammed on the internet
General warnings and protections
Do you know them or the organisation
Is there a problem or a prize
Do you have to do it RFN
Do they accept money or something else (gift cards, I card money transfer)
They are very clever
Never click on links, open application or click on links in SMS - Always go back to your known point of truth
Buying and selling on websites (eBay/amazon)
Never be in a hurry
Too good to be true, never
They are not the seller, they are a platform.
Always start small when bidding
Never go outside the platform to complete a transaction
Account takeovers
Trust no one
No such thing as a clearance account/company
Escrow accounts - no such animal
Scam watch
Only shop with trusted sites
Check payment security
Job Offers
Lottery
Beneficiary
Dating
Charity
Repairs
Invoice scams
Not much of an issue for the elderly but messages about changing bank account details should be avoided
Payment system scams
Match PayPal and seller's email address. If different stop sale
Avoid purchasing from social media
Dos and don'ts
Block unwanted calls
Do not give information away
Do not act immediately
Do talk to someone you trust
Use 2FA
Passwords - what did I say
Discretion on social media
Last episode we focused on the dreaded password
- Where did they come from
- Why do we use them,
- Why they are important for protecting your stuff
- What they are made up of and what not to use.
In this episode of the "old persons take on protecting your stuff" we will focus on the addition of a third level of protection around your internet-based sites and services
Access to every account has a username and password - who you are and what you know
The third layer is what you have and that is called multi-factor authentication or 2-factor authentication
In the same area is also the wonderful capture system.
Username and password and now prove that you are human by answering this little puzzle - traffic light, hills which animal is the right way up.
Then there is the next one - how can a tick in a box prove that I am not a robot?
So this episode we are going to focus on 2-factor, multi-factor authentication and captcha
Multi-factor authentication
Why do we need another layer of authentication
Password stealing
Scams
MITM attacks
A warning system for criminals accessing your account
What is 2 factor / Multi-factor Authentication
A technology that allows for a third level of information to gain access to an account
SMS,
authentication app,
dongle
How does it work
Association with an account
SMS - put in your mobile number
Authenticator app - usually a Qrcode
Dongle - set up by the organisation
Which way is best
All systems have vulnerabilities
Each has its own use
SMS can be used on nonsmart phones
Where does capture come into this
This is to counteract the automated systems
Used to prove that it is a human
You have to pick the 3 or 4 things that are right
The other one - I am not a robot relies on the browser content
Dos and don'ts
Do set up 2 FA
Do add 2FA to your accounts - website,
Do use 2FA on all admin accounts
Do not - Never give away the code
Do change your password if you receive a code and it was not you
If more than 2 people need access there are ways to set it up
Summary
We all have passwords
They are one of the hardest components for most people to understand the significance and reasons behind them.
Passwords are your passport to the digital world and like your passport there are some principles and requirements we need to embrace
From your need to gain access to the internet in the 90's to a system of protection for all access to the internet.
There are a number of areas where retirees and the elderly need to focus and address
This episode we are going to focus on passwords ………..
How did we get into the password issue, why we need passwords, what should be a password (or not), why we need them, understanding that when it comes to security convenience is our enemy, and how do the cybercriminal steal them.
Passwords, password scams and password managers.
History of passwords (open sesame)
Since the late 90's
Started basic and got more and more complex.
Why do we have passwords
Protect our digital assets.
Restrict access to information
Stop the bad guys getting information
What should be a passwords
Unique, complex and 12 characters
What should not be a password
Names, personal information, locations
Understanding the need for a password
To stop people gaining access to PI
Convenience vs security
Small passwords are convenient for you and also for the bad guys
Password theft and scams
Never give away your password
If it demands your password never give it away
Pop ups,