International Day of Older Persons: Protect Your Senior Loved Ones With Bitdefender

 Today, on International Day of Older Persons, we honor the invaluable contributions of our parents, grandparents, and all seniors. They are a source of wisdom, resilience, and tradition. But in the connected era, their overall wellbeing also depends on securing their digital lives.

Scammers know that older adults can be more trusting or less familiar with online threats, so they are frequent targets. From fake tech support calls and phishing emails to romance and “grandparent scams,” fraudsters exploit this trust to steal money, data, and peace of mind. That’s why protecting older adults from scams isn’t just a cybersecurity issue — it’s a matter of care, respect, and family responsibility.

Here's a Reminder of Common Scams Targeting Older Adults

• Tech Support Scams – Calls or pop-ups claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, or other providers, urging you to “fix” a fake computer problem.
• Phishing Emails & SMS – Messages that mimic banks, delivery services, or Medicare to steal personal or financial data.
• Investment & Cryptocurrency Scams – High-return promises targeting retirees’ savings.
• Romance & Grandparent Scams – Emotional manipulation, with criminals posing as loved ones in urgent need of money.

 You may also want to read:

• How Technology Makes Scams Believable and How Bitdefender Helps Keep You Safe
• Brits Lost Over £17 Million to Pension Fraud Last Year, Action Fraud Warns
• Celebrating Grandparents Day by Keeping Seniors Safe from Scams

Cyber Basics for Seniors and Families

1. Pause Before You Click – Never click on links or attachments from unknown senders.
2. Verify Requests – If someone asks for money urgently, call them directly to confirm.
3. Use Strong Passwords – A unique password for every account, ideally managed with a password manager.
4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – Adds another layer of protection against account takeovers.
5. Stay Updated – Keep devices and apps updated to block known vulnerabilities.

How Bitdefender Protects Families

Bitdefender delivers multi-layered scam protection designed for not only tech-savvy users but also older adults who may be more vulnerable:

• Comprehensive On-demand Scam Detection: Free tools like Bitdefender Scamio and Bitdefender Link Checker help identify scam messages and suspicious links before harm is done.
• All-in-One Family Security: With solutions like Bitdefender Premium Security, families can protect multiple devices — ensuring parents, grandparents, and children stay safe online.
• Real-Time Threat Detection: AI-powered defenses stop phishing, ransomware, and fraudulent sites before they reach your loved ones.
• Remote Access Scam Protection: Bitdefender detects and blocks suspicious attempts by fraudsters to take over a device remotely, preventing them from stealing money or installing malware. This is especially important for older adults targeted by tech-support scams.
• Call Blocking for Android: Included with Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android, this feature helps stop scammers before they can even reach seniors. It automatically blocks known scam numbers, spam calls, and robocalls, protecting against “grandparent scams” and fraudulent tech support lines that typically start with a phone call.

Combine cyber basics with Bitdefender’s family-oriented, multi-layer protection, and help your loved ones navigate technology safely and confidently, while ensuring peace of mind for the whole family.