Password Vulnerabilities and Threats
Passwords can be vulnerable to threats like hacking, phishing, and guessing attacks, where cybercriminals attempt to steal personal information. These vulnerabilities and threats pose significant security risks by making systems susceptible to unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyberattacks.
- Let us look at few such threats and vulnerabilities
• Phishing: Seniors are often targeted by deceptive emails or messages aiming to trick them into revealing passwords.
• Social Engineering: Scammers manipulate seniors into sharing passwords over phone calls, exploiting their trust.
• Weak Passwords: Easily guessable passwords or reused ones across accounts are vulnerable to brute force attacks.
• Lack of Awareness: Some seniors underestimate the importance of strong passwords, risking their security.
• Device Theft: Stolen or lost devices can compromise passwords if not protected with secure login methods.
• Malware: Seniors may unknowingly download malware that steals passwords from their devices.
• Unauthorized Access: Family members or caregivers may misuse seniors' passwords without consent, breaching privacy and security.
• Tech Support Scams: Seniors may be deceived by fraudulent tech support calls, where scammers pose as legitimate service providers and request passwords for "assistance."
• Public Wi-Fi: Connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks without proper precautions can expose seniors' passwords to interception by hackers lurking on the same network.