Cyber Safety Guide

Weak passwords are the #1 way hackers break into accounts. A strong password is your first and most important line of defense — and with a password manager, you never need to remember them all.

• Use at least 12 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols
• Never use birthdays, pet names, or the word "password"
• Use a different password for every account — especially email and banking
• Try a free password manager like Bitwarden or the one built into your phone
• Change your password immediately if you suspect your account was hacked

Scammers specifically target seniors because they are perceived as trusting and less familiar with digital tricks. Knowing the warning signs protects you and your family.

• Be suspicious of any unexpected call, text, or email asking for money or personal info
• Government agencies (IRS, Social Security) never call demanding immediate payment
• No one legit will ever ask you to pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
• Hover over links before clicking — fake addresses often look almost right (e.g., "amaz0n.com")
• When in doubt, hang up and call the company back using the number on their official website

Not every website is safe. Learning to recognize trustworthy sites and avoiding dangerous ones keeps your device and personal information secure while you browse the internet.

• Look for the padlock icon (🔒) and "https://" at the start of web addresses
• Avoid using public Wi-Fi (coffee shops, airports) for banking or shopping
• Keep your browser (Chrome, Safari, Edge) updated — updates fix security holes
• Pop-ups claiming your computer has a virus are almost always scams — close them immediately
• Download apps only from the official App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android)

Your phone and apps collect a lot of information about you. Reviewing your privacy settings regularly puts you back in control of what you share and with whom.

• Review app permissions: go to Settings → Apps and remove location/microphone access from apps that don't need it
• Turn off "Location Services" for apps when you're not using them
• On Facebook/Instagram: set your profile to "Friends Only" — not "Public"
• Never post your home address, daily schedule, or vacation plans publicly
• Use a private/incognito browsing window when using shared or public computers

Two-factor authentication (2FA) means that even if someone steals your password, they still can't get into your account without a second code sent to your phone. It's one of the most powerful protections you can enable.

• Enable 2FA on your email account first — it protects everything else linked to it
• Most apps send a 6-digit code to your phone by text message — enter it when prompted
• For stronger protection, use an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy
• Save your backup/recovery codes somewhere safe (like a printed note at home)
• Enable 2FA on: email, banking, social media, and shopping accounts

Social media helps you stay connected with family and friends — but it also attracts scammers, fake accounts, and people who want to misuse your personal information.

• Set your Facebook and Instagram profiles to "Friends Only" — not "Public"
• Never accept friend or follow requests from people you don't know in real life
• Be wary of messages from "friends" asking for money — their account may be hacked
• Don't click links sent in private messages, even from people you know
• Use the Block and Report buttons freely — platforms support this and it makes everyone safer