Cybercrime has multiple niches and approaches, but perhaps the worst is the targeting of older people and taking advantage of their vulnerability, notes KnowBe4 AFRICA, a provider of security awareness training.
The grandparent scam. Phishing. Online fraud. Financial exploitation. These are just some of the attacks that are directed at older people and that are proving to be unpleasantly successful, it said.
The risk remains high for people who are isolated, don’t spend a lot of time with digital technologies, and who are at risk purely due to their age, said Anna Collard, SVP content strategy and evangelist at KnowBe4 AFRICA. “Cognitive issues that come hand in hand with ageing or perhaps an illness such as Alzheimer’s, will change how a person perceives social engineering,” said Collard.call or email that pretends to be from a struggling grandchild is so popular and successful
“Scammers are polite, charming and friendly, that’s how they get your attention and win your trust,” said Collard. “It is this warmth and kindness that lures people in. Anyone hearing someone being overly nice will be wary of their intentions, whereas someone isolated and lonely may appreciate it and fall prey to the scam.”
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