How to Stay Safe Online — Complete Guide for Australians Over 60
The internet has transformed the way we connect, shop, bank, and stay informed. For Australians over 60 it offers extraordinary opportunities to stay connected with family, access information, and engage with the world. But it also comes with real risks — and older Australians are disproportionately targeted by cybercriminals who see them as easy targets. This complete guide covers everything you need to know to stay safe online and enjoy the benefits of the internet with confidence.
Why Older Australians Are Targeted Online
Cybercriminals specifically target older Australians for several reasons. Retirees often have significant savings and assets. They may be less familiar with digital technology and its risks. They are more likely to be home during the day to respond to calls and messages. And they are often more trusting by nature — a quality that scammers deliberately exploit. Understanding this is not about blame — it’s about awareness. Even highly intelligent and tech savvy people fall victim to sophisticated online scams every day. The criminals behind these operations are professional, patient, and highly skilled at manipulation.
1. Create Strong Passwords
Weak passwords are one of the most common ways cybercriminals access accounts. Many people use the same simple password for multiple accounts — making them extremely vulnerable.
What makes a strong password:
- At least 12 characters long
- Combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols
- Not based on personal information like birthdays or names
- Different for every account
The easiest solution — use a password manager: A password manager is an app that creates and stores strong unique passwords for every account automatically. You only need to remember one master password. Reputable options include:
- LastPass — free version available
- 1Password — very user friendly
- Bitwarden — free and open source
2. Turn On Two Factor Authentication
Two factor authentication — also called 2FA — adds an extra layer of security to your accounts. Even if someone gets your password they still can’t access your account without a second verification step — usually a code sent to your phone.
Turn on 2FA for:
- Your email account — this is the most important one
- Your bank accounts
- myGov
- Facebook and social media accounts
- Any account that contains personal or financial information
Most accounts offer 2FA in their security settings. Look for “Two Factor Authentication” or “Two Step Verification” in your account settings.
3. Recognise Phishing Emails and Texts
Phishing is when a cybercriminal sends an email or text pretending to be a legitimate organisation — your bank, Australia Post, myGov, or Netflix — to trick you into clicking a link and entering your personal details.
Warning signs of a phishing email or text:
- Unexpected request to verify your account or update your details
- Sense of urgency — act now or your account will be closed
- Email address doesn’t match the organisation — look carefully at the full address
- Links that look slightly wrong — hover over them before clicking
- Poor spelling or grammar
- Requests for personal information like passwords or tax file numbers
The golden rule: Never click links in emails or texts. Go directly to the website by typing the address into your browser yourself. Legitimate organisations never ask for your password by email.
4. Keep Your Devices Updated
Software updates are one of the most important and most ignored aspects of online security. Updates fix security vulnerabilities that cybercriminals actively exploit to access devices and accounts.
What to keep updated:
- Your phone’s operating system — iOS or Android
- Your computer’s operating system — Windows or macOS
- Your browser — Chrome, Safari, or Firefox
- All apps on your phone and computer
Turn on automatic updates wherever possible so you don’t have to remember to do it manually.
5. Use Secure WiFi
Public WiFi networks — in cafes, libraries, shopping centres, and airports — are convenient but potentially dangerous. Cybercriminals can set up fake WiFi networks or intercept data on unsecured networks.
Safe WiFi practices:
- Never do online banking or enter passwords on public WiFi
- Use your phone’s mobile data for sensitive activities when away from home
- Make sure your home WiFi is password protected
- Use a VPN — Virtual Private Network — if you regularly use public WiFi. A VPN encrypts your internet connection making it much harder to intercept. NordVPN and ExpressVPN are reputable options.
6. Protect Your Social Media Accounts
Social media accounts contain a surprising amount of personal information that can be used by cybercriminals for identity theft or targeted scams.
Facebook security checklist:
- Use a strong unique password
- Turn on two factor authentication
- Review your privacy settings — limit who can see your personal information, friends list, and posts
- Be careful what personal information you share publicly — birthdate, address, and phone number should never be public
- Be suspicious of friend requests from people you don’t know
- Never click links sent by Facebook friends you haven’t spoken to in a long time — their account may have been hacked
7. Shop Safely Online
Online shopping is convenient and often offers better prices than physical stores. But not all online shops are legitimate.
Safe online shopping tips:
- Only shop on reputable well known websites
- Look for the padlock icon and https in the website address before entering payment details
- Use a credit card rather than debit card for online purchases — credit cards offer better fraud protection
- Never save your card details on shopping websites
- Be very suspicious of deals that seem too good to be true
- Check reviews before buying from an unfamiliar website
Reputable Australian online retailers:
- Amazon Australia
- eBay Australia — check seller ratings carefully
- Major Australian retail chains — Chemist Warehouse, Big W, Myer, JB Hi-Fi
8. Secure Your Email Account
Your email account is the master key to your online life. If someone gains access to your email they can reset passwords and access virtually every other account you have.
Email security essentials:
- Use a strong unique password
- Turn on two factor authentication — this is absolutely essential for email
- Never share your email password with anyone
- Be suspicious of emails asking you to click links even if they appear to come from people you know
- Log out of your email when using shared computers
9. Be Careful What You Download
Malicious software — malware — is often disguised as legitimate apps, games, or files. Once installed it can steal your personal information, access your banking, or lock your device and demand a ransom.
Safe downloading practices:
- Only download apps from official app stores — Apple App Store or Google Play Store
- Never download software from pop up windows or unsolicited emails
- Be cautious with email attachments — even from people you know if the email seems unusual
- Install reputable antivirus software on your computer — Malwarebytes and Bitdefender are both reputable options
10. Know What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
Despite taking all precautions things can still go wrong. Knowing what to do immediately can significantly limit the damage.
If you think you’ve been scammed or hacked:
- Contact your bank immediately — they can freeze accounts and reverse transactions in many cases
- Change your passwords immediately starting with your email account
- Report the incident to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au
- Contact IDCARE on 1800 595 160 — Australia’s national identity and cyber support service — for free expert help
- Tell someone you trust — shame keeps many victims silent which only helps the criminals
Free Resources for Online Safety
- Australian Cyber Security Centre — cyber.gov.au — free resources and alerts
- Scamwatch — scamwatch.gov.au — report scams and find information
- IDCARE — idcare.org — 1800 595 160 — free identity and cyber support
- eSafety Commissioner — esafety.gov.au — Australia’s online safety regulator with extensive resources for older Australians
The Bottom Line
Staying safe online is not about being fearful of technology — it’s about being informed and taking simple precautions that dramatically reduce your risk. The internet offers extraordinary benefits for Australians over 60 and with the right knowledge you can enjoy everything it has to offer with confidence. Start with the basics — strong passwords, two factor authentication on your email, and never clicking links in unexpected emails. Those three steps alone will protect you from the vast majority of online threats.
Found this helpful? Share it with someone you care about — online safety is one of the most important topics for Australians over 60. And join The Good Years Club on Facebook for weekly tips on staying safe and informed.
