Page 116 - Cyber Defense Magazine for August 2020

Cyber Against Granny

By Yotam Gutman, SentinelOne

Every year, cybercriminals steal approximately $40 billion from older adults (senior citizens aged 60 and
over) in the United States. Cybercrime can be defined as “any criminal activity in which a computer (or
networked device) is targeted and/or used.” Cybercriminals with access to an older adult person’s
information via a computer, smartphone, or other networked device, can easily exploit it for nefarious
intent, defined as “an act of forcing, compelling, or exerting undue influence over a vulnerable adult
causing the vulnerable adult to act in a way that is inconsistent with relevant past behavior or causing the
vulnerable adult to perform services for the benefit of another”.

The scope of bad actors targeting senior citizens can be explained by the lack of experience and skills in
using computers/technology among the elderly, against the growing popularity of computer systems held
by people of the same age, and the fact that most of them have credit cards.

In the past, people in their 70s and 80s hardly ever used computers. Nowadays, people of the same age
have social media accounts, surf the Internet, and of course use smartphones.

Unlike their younger counterparts, seniors are less aware of cyber threats and, in many cases, lack the
tools and experience to identify attacks and fraudulent attempts. Even elderly people with no access to
computers or smartphones can fall victim to cyber-related crime such as in the case where their personal
details have been leaked from a database and sold to criminals who can then exploit. Seniors also give

Cyber Defense eMagazine – August 2020 Edition 116
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