1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,640 Hello, and welcome back to the Paddock Room. 2 00:00:05,640 --> 00:00:06,880 I'm Margo. 3 00:00:06,880 --> 00:00:14,200 I'm here with Wayne, and this is Talking Tech with Wayne, the podcast dedicated to discussing 4 00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:20,440 smart phones, smart homes, and all those things in between. 5 00:00:20,440 --> 00:00:28,040 This show is a promise of information freely given to all that seek it, and that is a pact 6 00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:31,000 between us and all of you. 7 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:42,280 Please log into our website, www.talking-tech.org, and click the Join the Discussion button 8 00:00:42,280 --> 00:00:45,120 to, well, join a discussion. 9 00:00:45,120 --> 00:00:51,000 While you're there, you can check out TV shows or click the Schedule a Call button 10 00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:57,640 to explore how to bring a Talking Tech discussion group to your local church or your community 11 00:00:57,640 --> 00:00:58,640 center. 12 00:00:58,640 --> 00:01:06,360 We also have a helpline where trained technicians are ready to answer your questions 24-7, and 13 00:01:06,360 --> 00:01:11,040 best of all, it's 100% free. 14 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:16,320 That number is 215-406-HELP. 15 00:01:16,320 --> 00:01:22,920 215-406-4357. 16 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:28,440 Today we will discuss digital privacy for seniors. 17 00:01:28,440 --> 00:01:35,560 We will discuss digital privacy, why it's important, and some practical tips for seniors 18 00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:38,160 to protect their privacy online. 19 00:01:38,160 --> 00:01:46,600 Wayne, let's start by discussing digital privacy and why it's important for seniors. 20 00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:52,440 Digital privacy refers to the ability to control what information you share online and who has 21 00:01:52,440 --> 00:01:54,040 access to it. 22 00:01:54,040 --> 00:02:00,080 In today's digital age, protecting your personal information from online threats such as identity 23 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:04,440 theft, hacking, and phishing scams is important. 24 00:02:04,440 --> 00:02:08,400 Protecting their digital privacy is especially important for seniors because they will be 25 00:02:08,400 --> 00:02:11,960 more vulnerable to these attacks. 26 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:16,840 Seniors may also be more likely to share personal information online without realizing 27 00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:19,680 the potential consequences. 28 00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:21,800 That's a great point. 29 00:02:21,800 --> 00:02:28,520 What practical tips can they follow to protect their digital privacy online? 30 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:32,320 There are many things that listeners can do to protect their privacy. 31 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:39,880 Some basic tips include creating strong passwords, using two-factor authentication, avoiding 32 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:45,800 suspicious links and attachments, and keeping software and devices updated with the latest 33 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:48,000 security patches. 34 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:55,680 Users should also be aware of the privacy settings on social media and other online platforms 35 00:02:55,680 --> 00:02:58,440 and adjust them accordingly. 36 00:02:58,440 --> 00:03:02,360 Understanding what information is being shared and who can see it is important. 37 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:05,720 Wayne, those are all great tips. 38 00:03:05,720 --> 00:03:12,720 Can you recommend any specific resources or tools that folks can use to protect their 39 00:03:12,720 --> 00:03:14,480 online privacy? 40 00:03:14,480 --> 00:03:20,600 Sure, many resources are available online to learn more about digital privacy and how 41 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:22,600 to protect ourselves. 42 00:03:22,600 --> 00:03:29,560 Some great resources include the National Cyber Security Alliances website and the Federal 43 00:03:29,560 --> 00:03:36,360 Trade Commission's website, as well as the AARP's fraud watch network. 44 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:41,800 There are many privacy-focused tools that folks can use such as privacy-focused web 45 00:03:41,800 --> 00:03:49,520 browsers like DuckDuckGo and virtual private networks, VPN services that can help protect 46 00:03:49,520 --> 00:03:53,480 online activity and personal data. 47 00:03:53,480 --> 00:03:56,000 Thank you for those recommendations. 48 00:03:56,000 --> 00:04:02,120 And thank you for that overview of digital privacy and protecting personal information 49 00:04:02,120 --> 00:04:03,120 online. 50 00:04:03,120 --> 00:04:11,760 Wayne, let's dive deeper into how listeners can protect their personal information. 51 00:04:11,760 --> 00:04:12,760 Absolutely. 52 00:04:12,760 --> 00:04:17,840 One of the best ways to protect personal information is to be mindful of what information is being 53 00:04:17,840 --> 00:04:20,120 shared online. 54 00:04:20,120 --> 00:04:24,760 Folks should avoid sharing sensitive information like their social security number, bank account 55 00:04:24,760 --> 00:04:27,240 information, and passwords. 56 00:04:27,240 --> 00:04:34,600 They should also be wary of suspicious links and attachments in emails or messages. 57 00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:36,640 Now that's good advice. 58 00:04:36,640 --> 00:04:38,560 What about social media? 59 00:04:38,560 --> 00:04:43,680 What are some things that they should keep in mind when using social media? 60 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:48,480 Social media can be a great way to stay connected with friends and families, but users should 61 00:04:48,480 --> 00:04:52,200 be aware of the privacy settings on their accounts. 62 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:57,040 They should only share information with people they trust in the justice settings to limit 63 00:04:57,040 --> 00:05:02,000 the amount of personal information available to others. 64 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:06,680 They should also be careful about what they post on social media. 65 00:05:06,680 --> 00:05:12,200 Sharing photos or updates about travel plans or expensive purchases can make them a target 66 00:05:12,200 --> 00:05:16,080 for theft or other online scams. 67 00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:18,800 Those are important things to keep in mind. 68 00:05:18,800 --> 00:05:21,360 What about public Wi-Fi networks? 69 00:05:21,360 --> 00:05:25,480 Are there any risks associated with using these networks? 70 00:05:25,480 --> 00:05:27,120 Yes. 71 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:32,080 Public Wi-Fi networks can be risky because they are often unsecured, meaning hackers 72 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:37,560 can access personal information transmitted over the network. 73 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:44,520 Seniors should avoid accessing sensitive information like bank accounts or personal email on public 74 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:46,360 Wi-Fi networks. 75 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:51,960 If they need to use these networks, they should use a virtual private network, VPN, to encrypt 76 00:05:51,960 --> 00:05:56,640 their internet traffic and protect their personal information. 77 00:05:56,640 --> 00:05:58,320 That's a great tip. 78 00:05:58,320 --> 00:06:05,400 Can you recommend any specific VPN services that our listeners can use? 79 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:06,520 Sure. 80 00:06:06,520 --> 00:06:16,040 Some popular VPN services that are user-friendly and affordable include NOR, VPN Express, VPN, 81 00:06:16,040 --> 00:06:19,200 and CyberGM Go. 82 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:25,400 These services offer strong encryption and user-friendly interface that can be helpful 83 00:06:25,400 --> 00:06:30,960 for folks who may need, who are less tech savvy. 84 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:34,560 Wayne, those are great recommendations. 85 00:06:34,560 --> 00:06:37,560 Thank you for that valuable information. 86 00:06:37,560 --> 00:06:43,120 Let's now shift our focus to managing our online reputation. 87 00:06:43,120 --> 00:06:48,960 What is online reputation and why is it important to manage it? 88 00:06:48,960 --> 00:06:54,440 Online reputation refers to the public perception of an individual organization based on their 89 00:06:54,440 --> 00:06:56,440 online activity. 90 00:06:56,440 --> 00:07:03,120 This includes social media posts, reviews, and other forms of online content. 91 00:07:03,120 --> 00:07:08,520 For seniors, managing their online reputation is important because it can impact personal 92 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:14,600 and professional relationships and their safety and security. 93 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:16,000 That's a great point. 94 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:23,400 Wayne, what practical tips can listeners follow to manage their online reputation? 95 00:07:23,400 --> 00:07:25,880 There are many things users can do. 96 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:31,920 One important step is to regularly monitor their online activity and remove any content 97 00:07:31,920 --> 00:07:35,040 that may be damaging or inappropriate. 98 00:07:35,040 --> 00:07:40,080 Folks should also be mindful of their social media activity and adjust their privacy settings 99 00:07:40,080 --> 00:07:44,960 to limit the amount of personal information visible to others. 100 00:07:44,960 --> 00:07:48,960 Another tip is to be careful about what they post online. 101 00:07:48,960 --> 00:07:54,120 Associate or avoid posting anything that can be considered offensive or inappropriate and 102 00:07:54,120 --> 00:07:59,960 be wary of sharing information that can be used to sell their identity or compromise their 103 00:07:59,960 --> 00:08:01,880 security. 104 00:08:01,880 --> 00:08:03,880 Those are all great tips. 105 00:08:03,880 --> 00:08:09,680 Can you recommend any specific tools or resources that listeners can use? 106 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:10,840 Yes. 107 00:08:10,840 --> 00:08:20,600 Any tools and resources are available online to help folks manage their online reputation. 108 00:08:20,600 --> 00:08:27,320 Some popular options include reputation management services like Reputation Defender and Brand 109 00:08:27,320 --> 00:08:36,560 Yourself and online repudiation monitoring tools like Google Alerts and Mention. 110 00:08:36,560 --> 00:08:39,280 Wayne, those are great resources. 111 00:08:39,280 --> 00:08:45,320 Thank you for that valuable information on managing an online reputation. 112 00:08:45,320 --> 00:08:49,560 Let's now shift our focus to encryption and password security. 113 00:08:49,560 --> 00:08:56,280 Wayne, can you explain to our listeners what encryption is and why it's important for 114 00:08:56,280 --> 00:08:59,160 them to use it? 115 00:08:59,160 --> 00:09:06,920 Encryption is the process of encoding information to only be accessed by authorized users. 116 00:09:06,920 --> 00:09:10,600 Experts need to use encryption because it can protect their personal information from 117 00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:14,000 hackers and other online threats. 118 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:20,560 For example, encrypting emails or files can prevent unauthorized individuals from intercepting 119 00:09:20,560 --> 00:09:23,120 and accessing them. 120 00:09:23,120 --> 00:09:25,360 That's a great explanation. 121 00:09:25,360 --> 00:09:32,320 What are some practical tips that they can follow to use encryption effectively? 122 00:09:32,320 --> 00:09:38,200 One important step is to use strong passwords and avoid using the same password for multiple 123 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:39,200 accounts. 124 00:09:39,200 --> 00:09:45,240 Listeners should also consider using a password manager to securely generate and store complex 125 00:09:45,240 --> 00:09:47,120 passwords. 126 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:53,120 Another tip is to use two-factor authentication, which adds a little extra layer of security 127 00:09:53,120 --> 00:09:58,680 by requiring users to enter a code in addition to their password. 128 00:09:58,680 --> 00:10:04,560 Many online services now offer two-factor authentication as an option. 129 00:10:04,560 --> 00:10:06,440 Those are all great tips. 130 00:10:06,440 --> 00:10:12,960 Can you recommend any specific encryption tools or resources that listeners can use? 131 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:14,120 Yes. 132 00:10:14,120 --> 00:10:17,520 There are many encryption tools and resources available. 133 00:10:17,520 --> 00:10:24,440 Some popular options include veracrypt for encrypting files and folders, signal for encrypted 134 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:29,720 messages and calls, and last pass for password management. 135 00:10:29,720 --> 00:10:33,000 Wayne, those are great resources. 136 00:10:33,000 --> 00:10:36,200 Thank you for that valuable information. 137 00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:41,720 Let's now shift our focus to virtual private networks, VPNs. 138 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:47,760 Can you explain to our listeners what a VPN is and why it's important for folks to use 139 00:10:47,760 --> 00:10:48,760 it? 140 00:10:48,760 --> 00:10:55,080 Our VPN is technology that creates a secure encrypted connection between a user's device 141 00:10:55,080 --> 00:10:57,080 and the internet. 142 00:10:57,080 --> 00:11:02,320 Listeners need to use a VPN because it can protect their online privacy and security 143 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:07,560 by hiding their IP address and encrypting their internet traffic. 144 00:11:07,560 --> 00:11:09,160 That's a great explanation. 145 00:11:09,160 --> 00:11:16,320 Wayne, what practical tips can they follow to use a VPN effectively? 146 00:11:16,320 --> 00:11:22,880 One important step in choosing a reputable VPN service with a strong privacy password 147 00:11:22,880 --> 00:11:26,280 and not logging user data. 148 00:11:26,280 --> 00:11:31,080 Seniors should also use the VPN whenever they connect to the internet, especially when using 149 00:11:31,080 --> 00:11:33,840 public Wi-Fi network. 150 00:11:33,840 --> 00:11:39,280 Another tip is be mindful of the location of the VPN server they're connecting to. 151 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:44,440 Users should choose a server located in a country with strong data protection laws and 152 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:50,080 avoid connecting to servers in countries with weak privacy laws. 153 00:11:50,080 --> 00:11:52,040 Those are all great tips. 154 00:11:52,040 --> 00:11:59,280 Can you recommend any specific VPN services or resources that seniors can use? 155 00:11:59,280 --> 00:12:05,200 Yes, there are many VPN services and resources available online. 156 00:12:05,200 --> 00:12:15,000 Some popular options include ExpressVPN, NorVPN, and ProntoVPN. 157 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:17,560 Those are great resources. 158 00:12:17,560 --> 00:12:23,960 Before we wrap up this episode, do you have any final thoughts on using a VPN? 159 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:29,800 Yes, my final thought is using a VPN is an effective way for users to protect their 160 00:12:29,800 --> 00:12:37,800 online privacy and security by following some basic tips and using the right VPN service. 161 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:43,760 Surfers can browse the internet safely and securely from anywhere in the world. 162 00:12:43,760 --> 00:12:49,440 As with all of the information we share here, flex your Google search muscles, log into 163 00:12:49,440 --> 00:12:57,720 our website, www.talking-tech.org, or call our helpline. 164 00:12:57,720 --> 00:13:02,040 That number is 215-406-HELP. 165 00:13:02,040 --> 00:13:06,040 That's 215-406-4357. 166 00:13:06,040 --> 00:13:10,960 Well, I see that's all the time I have for today. 167 00:13:10,960 --> 00:13:16,560 It has been my pleasure to be here and I look forward to the next time we can do it again. 168 00:13:16,560 --> 00:13:20,840 I wish you all a farewell. 169 00:13:20,840 --> 00:13:27,840 Playing Tech with Wayne podcast was produced by Gray Geek Productions, hosted by Margo 170 00:13:27,840 --> 00:13:30,360 Jones and Wayne Hunter. 171 00:13:30,360 --> 00:13:51,840 Tech was Transparser Blue Jazz by Stefan Cartonberg.