Hello, and welcome back to the Paddock Room.
I'm Margo.
I'm here with Wayne, and this is Talking Tech with Wayne, the podcast dedicated to
discussing smartphones, smart homes, and everything in between.
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Today and in our next two podcasts, we will discuss online safety for parents and grandparents.
Wayne, what should our listeners know?
Hello, Margo, and hello to all of our listeners.
It's great to be here today.
I'm excited to help shed some light on the importance of online safety for everyone,
especially parents and grandparents.
Wonderful, Wayne.
So let's jump right in.
Why has online safety become so significant for all age groups?
Well, Margo, the world is increasingly becoming digital.
We use the Internet for almost everything, from shopping and banking to socializing and
working.
This widespread use of the Internet makes it vital for anyone, in respect of age, to
understand how to stay safe online.
That's true.
Wayne, our lives are quite entwined with the digital world.
Absolutely, Margo.
And that's why it's not just about knowing how to use the Internet, but it's also about
knowing how to use it safely.
This includes understanding the various risks associated with online activities and how
to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
So it's about being proactive, then.
Exactly, Margo.
Being proactive and informed is our first line of defense regarding online safety.
And that's exactly what we hope to achieve with this podcast series.
Over the next few episodes, we'll dive deeper into what the online world entails.
The potential risks and threats one should be aware of, and most importantly, how to
protect oneself and ensure the online safety of children and grandchildren.
Yes, Margo.
And I think it's important for our listeners to know that online safety isn't something
to be scared of.
It's just about equipping ourselves with the right knowledge.
And once you have that, you'll find the digital world is a wonderful place to explore.
Now that we've established the importance of online safety, let's dive deeper into
what we'll cover in this podcast series.
Absolutely, Margo.
We aim to provide our listeners, especially parents and grandparents, with the knowledge
and tools they need to navigate the digital world safely.
We structured these two podcasts to tackle different aspects of online safety systematically
and easily digestible.
So Wayne, can you walk us through the structure and objectives of our discussions?
What will be our first point of discussion?
Our first major topic will be about understanding the online world.
We'll discuss the various platforms and services we commonly use, like email, social media,
and online banking, and their potential risks.
Right.
It's crucial to know the terrain before we learn how to navigate it.
Exactly, Margo.
After that, we'll discuss common online threats like phishing, scams, and malware.
We'll help our listeners identify these threats and advise them on what to do if they encounter
them.
Scary stuff, but it's better to be informed and prepared.
What's next after that?
We'll move on to proactive measures, covering various ways to ensure our safety and safety
of our loved ones online.
This will include tips on setting strong passwords, using secure networks, and recognizing secure
websites.
That sounds like really valuable information.
And lastly?
Lastly we'll discuss how to educate the younger generation about online safety.
We'll provide advice on how to talk to your kids or grandkids about the Internet and set
boundaries and rules to keep them safe online.
That's fantastic, Wayne.
We have a lot to look forward to in this podcast series.
So dear listeners, join us as we embark on this journey to ensure online safety for ourselves
and our loved ones.
Wayne, could you help us understand what the Internet actually is?
Of course, Margo.
In the simplest terms, the Internet is a global network of computers that are connected and
communicate with each other.
This allows us to access and share information almost instantly, no matter where we are.
That's a great start, Wayne.
Now we often hear the term social media.
Could you explain what that means?
Absolutely Margo.
Social media refers to online platforms where people can create and share content and interact
with each other.
Some popular examples of social media platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and even
YouTube.
Thank you, Wayne.
So these platforms are where we can interact with our friends and family online.
What about digital communication tools, Wayne?
Digital communication tools include any kind of technology that allows us to communicate
with others online.
This can range from emails, which allows us to send messages and documents to each other,
to video calling platforms like Skype or Zoom, where we can talk to and see our loved ones,
even if they're on the other side of the world.
It's truly amazing how the online world brings us closer together.
But as we know, with such advantages, there also comes certain risk.
Wayne, can you shed some light on how the digital age has changed our communication?
Certainly Margo.
The digital age has transformed communication significantly.
In the past, we'd have to write letters or make phone calls to connect with people far
away.
Now with the internet, we can send an instant message or even have a video call with anyone,
anywhere, anytime.
This has made communication more efficient and accessible.
That's true.
And what about our social interactions?
Great question, Margo.
Social media has indeed changed how we socialize.
Instead of waiting for a family gathering or a social event, we can now interact with
our friends, family, and even strangers right from our homes in real time.
We share our lives, exchange ideas, and celebrate important memories virtually.
It has also opened opportunities to connect with like-minded communities and individuals
we may never have met otherwise.
How has social media influenced the way we socialize?
There's no denying that the online world has its own charms.
But as we've mentioned before, with these benefits come certain risks.
And that's what we're here to discuss.
So help our listeners navigate this new world's safety.
Wayne, can you explain what phishing, scams, and malicious links are?
Of course, Margo.
Phishing is an online scam where cybercriminals trick you into revealing sensitive information
like your passwords or credit card numbers.
They often do this by pretending to be trustworthy in an email or a text message.
So they kind of fish for your personal details, right?
Exactly.
That's why it's called phishing.
Now scams are deceptive activities aimed at illegally obtaining money or personal information.
Online scams can take many forms, from lottery scams where you're told you won a large sum
of money, to romance scams where a scammer forms a relationship with you to defraud you.
That sounds scary.
What about malicious links?
A malicious link is a hyperlink designed to damage or infect your computer, typically
by installing malware.
These links appear in emails, social media platforms, or websites.
They often look like legitimate links, but clicking on them can compromise your device
and data.
That's definitely something to watch out for.
Thanks for breaking it down.
Now Wayne, let's discuss identity theft and data breaches.
What exactly are they and why should our listeners be concerned?
Good question, Margo.
Let's start with identity theft.
This is when someone unlawfully attains and uses your personal information such as your
name, social security number, or bank account details, typically for financial gain.
This can lead to significant harm such as unauthorized transactions, damaged credit,
or even legal issues.
That's quite concerning.
Often this ties back to data breaches, which is the other term you mentioned.
A data breach occurs when secure or private information is released into an untrusted
environment.
This can happen if an organization that holds your personal data, such as a bank, healthcare
provider, or even a social media platform is hacked.
It sounds very serious, but how does someone get access to such personal information?
Not at all, Margo.
While we can't control the security measures of every organization that holds our data,
we can certainly take steps to protect ourselves online.
Can you elaborate a bit more?
How can oversharing online lead to threats?
Sure.
Let's take a simple example.
Say you posted a picture of your brand new driver's license on social media.
While it might seem harmless, it provides enough information for someone to steal your
identity.
That's quite eye-opening.
So Wayne, what should our listeners keep in mind to avoid oversharing?
It's crucial to be aware of what you're posting and to whom it's visible.
Before sharing anything, think twice about whether it's necessary and who might see
it.
Always double-check your privacy settings on social media platforms to ensure that only
trusted people can view your posts and never share sensitive information like bank details
or social security numbers online.
Absolutely.
As with all of the information we share here, flex your Google search muscles, log into
our website, www.talking-tech.org, all lowercase, or call our helpline.
And that number is 215-406-HELP.
That's 215-406-4357.
Well, I see that's all the time I have for today.
It has been my pleasure to be here and I look forward to the next time we can do it again.
I wish you all a farewell.
Talking Tech with Wayne podcast was produced by Grey Geek Productions, hosted by Margo
Jones and Wayne Hunter.
Tech was Transparser Blue Jazz by Stefan Cartonberg.