Protecting Aging Parents
An Arizona based cybersecurity firm noticed online attacks triple, a 333% increase in attacks since the bombing in Iran.
That’s about 2,000 to 3,000 attacks every minute, globally.
Tim Roemer, a former CIA agent and now CEO of GMI, advises enhanced vigilance of phishing links over email and text, use of strong passwords with long phrases, and multi factor authentication.
Phishing is an attempt by cyber criminals to appear to be a reputable, well known entity in an email (known as smishing in text and vishing over the phone), creating a false sense of urgency or fear to trick you into clicking malicious links, downloading malware, or entering credentials on fake websites so they can steal your passwords, credit card numbers, and login credentials.
Online fraud, including online romance scams, cost individuals and businesses billions of dollars (Federal Trade Commission Center, 2023). In 2020 and 2021, over 450,000 individuals were victimized through scams such as phishing, online non-payment and non-delivery, extortion, and investment schemes, reporting annual losses exceeding $2 billion (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2022).
The toll on victims extends beyond financial losses. Studies found victims endure significant emotional and psychological distress, feelings of violation, and long lasting disruptions to their lives (Cross, 2018b; Drew & Webster, 2024).
What are some other ways you can protect yourself and vulnerable aging parents?
If someone reaches out, don’t click! Instead, call the institution on a number you already have saved and trust as a good number. Ask them if they sent the email or text. Most institutions no longer reach out to you, following the increase in fraudulent emails and texts with links by cybercriminals as an attempt to get you to click.
You can also ask your advisors to call you beforehand, if they are going to send you an email or text with any links or attachments. Don’t click on any links or attachments until you verify with them or had a previous phone call about the email, in which case you would be expecting the email.
Create a difficult password with your advisors, one that only you and your advisor would know and can confirm each time you or your advisor call each other.
Remember, slow down and ask yourself if you were expecting the email, text or call. Call a good number that you have for that institution (not one given in the questionable email or text).
Keep these tips in mind each time you open a text or email. Don’t trust first, but verify!