Digital safety checklist for older adults.
A simple guide to keeping your online accounts safe and organised.
You do not need to be a tech expert to stay safe online. Most risks come from a small number of easily fixed things. Work through this checklist at your own pace - no rush.
Your Passwords
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I do not use the same password for more than one account
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​I know how to get back into an account if I forget my password
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My passwords are difficult to guess (not a name, birthday, or simple word)
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I use a password manager, or my passwords are stored somewhere secure (not a sticky note on the computer)
Your Email
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My email account has a strong password
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I have a recovery phone number or backup email address set up
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I do not click links in emails I was not expecting, even if they look official
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I recognise what a suspicious email looks like (unexpected requests, urgent language, unusual senders)
Your Devices
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My software updates automatically, or I update it regularly
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I know roughly which apps are on my phone and what they are for
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My phone and computer ask for a password, PIN, or fingerprint to unlock
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I have cloud backup switched on (iCloud or Google Photos for photos, for example)
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I have a rough idea of what I pay for each month
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I know which bank, email, and subscription accounts I have
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Someone I trust knows where to find important account information if they ever needed to
Your Accounts
If Something Feels Wrong
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I have a phone number for my bank saved so I can call them directly if needed
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I know that my bank will never ask for my full PIN or password by phone or email
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If I am unsure whether something is genuine, I know to stop and check before doing anything
If you would like help working through this list, or if any of it raised questions, a Digital Stability Audit covers all of the above and more in a single structured session.
Prefer a hard copy? Download the checklist as a PDF here and keep it somewhere handy.