Protecting Yourself Online
As technology becomes a larger part of daily life, understanding online safety is more important than ever. This workshop helps participants recognize common online threats and develop safe digital habits.
Phishing emails are fraudulent messages designed to trick people into sharing personal information, passwords, or financial details. Participants will learn how to recognize common warning signs, including suspicious links, urgent requests, unfamiliar senders, and messages that appear too good to be true. Understanding these tactics can help prevent identity theft and financial loss.
Scammers use many different methods to target individuals through phone calls, text messages, emails, websites, and social media. Participants will explore common scams that affect older adults, learn how fraudsters gain trust, and discover practical strategies for identifying and avoiding deceptive schemes before becoming a victim.
Passwords are the first line of defense for online accounts. Participants will learn what makes a password strong, why reusing passwords can be risky, and how password managers and multi-factor authentication can improve security. The goal is to create habits that make online accounts more difficult for criminals to access.
Personal information such as addresses, phone numbers, financial details, and identification numbers should be shared carefully online. Participants will learn what information should remain private, how to recognize requests for sensitive data, and how to protect themselves when using websites, apps, and online services.
The internet provides access to valuable information and services, but it is important to browse safely. Participants will learn how to identify secure websites, avoid malicious downloads, recognize unsafe links, and navigate the web with greater confidence. These practices help reduce exposure to scams, viruses, and other online threats.
Even experienced technology users occasionally encounter situations that seem unusual or concerning. Participants will learn practical steps to take when they receive suspicious emails, phone calls, text messages, or online requests. This includes knowing when to stop, verify information, seek assistance, and report potential scams before any harm occurs.