SECURE IT - April 2024

A monthly Information Security publication for the WPI community. 

This month's focus is on CYBER SAFETY FOR ELDERS AND CHILDREN. We encourage community members to share  your information security knowledge, and use these tips to keep friends and family from becoming cyber victims!

In this issue:

• Why Are They Targets?
• Back to the Future: Phones, TV, Internet of Things, and AI
• Learning with Laughter
• Information Security Drop-in
• Featured Videos
• In the News
• Identity Theft by the Numbers
• WPI Resources
• Diversity in Cybersecurity
• Coming Next Month...

Why Are They Targets?

Elderly

The elderly tend to have a large amount of savings and very little debt, and many have a long credit history and higher credit scores. Once a scammer has their personal information they can take out high limit credit cards and loans in their name. These links offer more about scams and how elders can protect themselves.

Children

Children are easy targets for cyber criminals due to the rise in social media and time spent online, and increasing reliance on digital transactions. They are also very trusting. AARP explains more, and offers suggestions to keep them safe.

Identity Theft

Identity theft for children is also on the rise. According to Freekick, "Instead of pretending to be someone else, they create an entirely new identity by stealing a child’s personally identifiable information (PII) and combining it with made-up data." They offer these top reasons:

• Children don’t have a credit history. 
• They have randomized Social Security numbers. 
• Children aren't subject to financial monitoring like adults are.

Combat ID theft by protecting children’s SSN, teaching them about online dangers and not to reveal private info, and consider freezing their credit profiles. 

Back to the Future: How Has Tech Changed?

Some elders and children may be still using older devices. Perhaps they receive hand-me-down phones, or are unable to afford the latest computer models. They may not be familiar with keeping operating systems and apps updated. Also as devices age manufacturers discontinue support for them, and they often lack the latest cybersecurity protections.

New tech can be incredibly helpful to all ages, but senior and young users may need assistance with setup and understanding how not to be vulnerable to attack.

Cell Phones

How cell phones have evolved over the years? Time travel with these articles:

Television

Not only have the TVs changed from giant boxes to very thin items hung on a wall, how people watch TV has changed from watching at a specific time to streaming on demand from a variety of apps.

Keeping Internet of Things Safe

Voice controlled, internet of things devices can be helpful to the elderly and allow them to keep in touch with their friends and family. However they can be vulnerable to attack without the right precautions in place. Keepersecurity provides tips to prevent attacks.

Robo Calling with Familiar Voices

Not only can Artificial Intelligence (AI) generate text, it can also be used to generate the voices of people you recognize. In January 2024 robocalls about the upcoming primary election  impersonated President Biden's voice.

Cybercriminals have also used AI-faked voices to scam people out of money. The victim receives a phone call that sounds like their loved one is in distress and hears a reason why they urgently need to provide money. Scammers might fake a kidnapping, or request money for bail or a hospital bill. In these situations, the best action is to hang up and try to contact them with a method usually used to reach them.

These resources provide more detail and a link for reporting scams to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Learning with Laughter