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Older web users 'need internet security education'

Silver surfers in Australia are increasingly finding themselves to be victims of cyber crime, prompting calls for greater education on such issues.

A panellist of internet security experts has said that as older people often have life savings stashed away, coupled with a limited knowledge of the world wide web, reports IT News.

"The seniors within the community are the target," superintendent Brian Hay of the Queensland Police told the news provider. "These people with self-managed super funds, they have the money, they are being targeted."

Security consultant Alastair McGibbon added that mass-market education on internet security could help older web users, saying that simple things such as changing passwords and using anti-virus software need to be emphasised.

Recent research by the Messaging Anti-Abuse Working Group found that over half of people questioned click on spam emails, despite many people being aware of the risks.

Six per cent of those who open spam message do so because they want to see what will happen.

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