But just as you make a habit of locking your front door or fastening your seat belt, you need to adopt a few behaviors to help keep you safe online. Consider the smoke alarm in your hallway or checking if a safety seal is broken on a food container. We learned safety precautions. Just as you made a habit of locking your front door or fastening your seatbelt “back then," new steps are needed now to stay secure in the digital age.

For more tips, check out our Then & Now workbook.  

Spot the scams 

Then: Con artists tried to get you to buy counterfeit watches or play a rigged game of three-card monte.   

Now: Scammers use emails, texts, and phone calls to pressure you into paying them, often with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Treat any unexpected, urgent request with suspicion, even if it seems like it is coming from someone you know. If anyone demands an unusual payment, it’s a scam – it's not rude to hang up immediately!  

Verify independently 

Then: You’d double-check a request by calling a neighbor or your bank.   

Now: Criminals spoof caller IDs, create fake websites, and even use AI voice clones. If you're suspicious that a scammer is targeting you, don’t respond immediately. Pause and contact a trusted source directly, such as looking up a phone number on an official website instead of the link in a scammy email.  

Think before you click 

Then: Junk mail went straight into the trash.   

Now: Dangerous links in emails, texts, or ads can infect your device instantly. If you didn’t expect it, don’t click links or reply – don't even click the "Unsubscribe" button. 

Keep devices up to date 

Then: You changed your locks if you lost a house key.   

Now: Software updates keep you safe. They patch security holes and protect against hackers. Turn on automatic updates whenever possible. 

Use strong passwords 

Then: You used a four-digit bank PIN at the ATM.   

Now: Criminals use powerful tools to guess short passwords. A strong password should be at least 16 characters long, unique to the account, and include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Use a password manager program to keep track of all your passwords.  

Protect your privacy 

Then: You kept some things to yourself.   

Now: Oversharing on social media can give criminals the clues they need to steal your identity, such as your birthdate and address. Share with care, and review your privacy settings regularly. 

Many modern crimes seem invisible today 

Then: You could see a house break-in or the empty garage where your stolen car was.   

Now: Cybercrime is often invisible. Clicking a bad link may look harmless, but hidden malware can steal data for months without you noticing. You might get scammed and not realize it until months later.  

You have the power to stay safe online!  

Online safety isn’t about fear. It’s about awareness. By understanding how threats have changed, you can take simple steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. 

Want to go deeper? Check out our Then & Now Online Safety Workbook. It’s packed with easy-to-follow tips, examples, and activities designed to help older adults build confidence and stay secure online. Learn by yourself or with a loved one!