10 Common Tech Mistakes Seniors Make
The patterns we see most often — and the fix for each one. Read with a family member.
#1Same password everywhere
What people do
Pick one password (often a pet name plus a number) and reuse it for email, banking, Amazon, Facebook, and Medicare.
Why it is bad
When any one site gets hacked, the attackers try that password on every other site they can think of. One leak becomes ten.
The fix
Use a password manager (Bitwarden is free) so each site has its own long password. Run a password health check first to see where you are exposed.
Password Health Check#2Reading a 6-digit code aloud over the phone
What people do
A caller says they are from the bank. A code arrives by text. The caller asks you to read it back to confirm your identity.
Why it is bad
That code is your two-factor login. The caller is signing into your real account at the same moment you read the code. You hand them the keys.
The fix
No real bank, no real Amazon, no real Apple ever asks you to read a code aloud. Hang up. Call the number on the back of your card.
Scam Message Decoder#3Clicking links in emails
What people do
An email looks like it is from FedEx, Netflix, or the bank. It says click here to fix a problem. You click.
Why it is bad
The link goes to a fake login page that captures your username and password. You will not see anything wrong until money is gone.
The fix
Never click. Open a new tab and type the company name yourself, or use the app on your phone. If it is a real alert, you will find it there.
Check a message#4Saving passwords in a Word document
What people do
A file called passwords.docx sits on the desktop with every login written down.
Why it is bad
Any malware that lands on your computer reads that file in seconds. So does anyone who borrows your laptop. The file is also not encrypted.
The fix
Move every password into a real password manager. Bitwarden and 1Password encrypt the data and unlock with one master password.
Password Health Check#5Buying overpriced antivirus you do not need
What people do
A pop-up or salesperson convinces you to pay $200 a year for McAfee, Norton, or some unknown brand.
Why it is bad
Windows 11 and macOS already include strong built-in protection. The third-party antivirus often slows the computer and renews at higher prices each year.
The fix
Use Windows Security (built in) or the built-in macOS protection. Cancel the paid renewal through your bank if needed.
#6Letting "tech support" remote into your computer
What people do
A caller or pop-up says your computer has a virus. They walk you through downloading a remote-access program (AnyDesk, TeamViewer) and take control.
Why it is bad
They can install real malware, lock your files, copy your bank screens, and sometimes empty your account while you watch.
The fix
Never give remote access to a stranger. Real Microsoft and Apple support never call you first. Hang up. Restart the computer.
Scam Message Decoder#7Not backing up your phone
What people do
Years of grandkid photos and contacts sit only on the phone. No iCloud. No Google backup.
Why it is bad
A dropped phone, a lost phone, or a stolen phone wipes out the only copy. Photos cannot be recovered.
The fix
Turn on iCloud Backup (iPhone) or Google One backup (Android). Both have free tiers, then a few dollars a month for more space.
Backup Wizard#8Sharing too much on Facebook
What people do
Posting birthday parties, vacation dates, full birthdates, mother's maiden name memes, and grandkids' full names — all public.
Why it is bad
Scammers harvest these details to answer security questions, target grandparent scams, and know exactly when your house is empty.
The fix
Change your Facebook posts to "Friends only". Skip the fun memes that ask for your first car, first pet, or street you grew up on — those are security-question answers.
Privacy Checkup#9Old wifi router with the default password
What people do
The router has been on the floor since 2014. The wifi password is still "admin" or printed on a sticker. Firmware never updated.
Why it is bad
Old routers have known security holes. A neighbor or passing car can log in and watch your traffic, or worse, change settings to redirect your banking.
The fix
If your router is more than 5 years old, replace it. Change the admin password. Turn on automatic firmware updates. Use WPA3 if available.
Wifi Troubleshooter#10Not telling family the iPad PIN
What people do
The iPad, iPhone, or laptop has a PIN nobody else knows. The Apple ID password is in your head only.
Why it is bad
After a hospital stay or worse, family cannot get to photos, contacts, banking, or two-factor codes. Apple will not unlock the device for them. Years of memories become unreachable.
The fix
Write the device PINs and one master password down. Put the paper in a sealed envelope with your will, or use a password manager with an emergency-access feature. Have the conversation now.
Family Tech RoundtableRelated
Quick Tip: pick one mistake per week and fix that one. Ten weeks from now you will be ahead of most people online.