Older adults urged to be active – safely – online

May is Older Americans Month, and its theme “get into the act.”

Many older Americans are active online.

If you’re one of these, here are some tips from the Federal Trade Commission on online safety:

• Beware of online scams. Don’t open attachments, click links or respond to email from senders you don’t know.

• Use social networks more safely. Look for “settings” or “options” in services like Facebook to manage who can see your profile or photos.
  

• Protect your personal information online. Before you enter financial information, make sure the website has “https” (the ‘s’ is for secure) or a picture of a padlock in the address bar.

• Use strong passwords. That means at least 10 characters with upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols. Don’t use the same password for every account.

Do you know someone who doesn’t want to use technology?

Getting online can reduce isolation and increase independence – sharing photos, video conferencing with loved ones, reading, shopping, or watching favorite movies, said Lisa Weintraub Schifferle, attorney for the FTC’s Division of Consumer and Business Education.

Several non-profit organizations provide hands-on technology training for older adults, including AARP TEK and OASIS Connections.

Copyright 2015, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist