Senior Cyber Safety Briefing – October 23, 2025

🚨ALERT – Meta Platforms boosts scam protections on WhatsApp & Messenger specifically for older users
👉Why it matters – Meta’s new features include warnings when you share your screen with an unknown contact, and AI‑driven message detection in Messenger. These are targeted at seniors because criminals are increasingly exploiting screen‑sharing, remote‑access and messaging tricks to steal money or personal info. Malwarebytes+2Dataconomy+2
📣Call to Action – If you use WhatsApp or Messenger, check your settings now: turn on screen‑share warnings, enable or accept any “scam detection” alert features, and make sure you only ever share your screen with someone you explicitly trust.

🧠MUST‑READ – Scam accounts removed: Meta reports over 21,000 fake pages impersonating customer support were taken down in 1H 2025
👉Why it matters – These scammers posed as bank or travel‑agency “help desks” and tricked people into giving up credentials or installing malware. Seniors are often targeted because they are less likely to expect these scams and more likely to trust what appears official. MEDIANAMA+1
📣Call to Action – If you’re ever contacted by someone claiming to be “customer support” of your bank, airline or device maker—hang up, call the official number you know, and do not click the links they send.

📈ECONOMY & SECURITY – Pop‑up and text message scams are “out of control” according to cyber‑experts
👉Why it matters – One expert said that older adults are being hit by text or pop‑up messages that say “you owe money” or “your computer is infected” and push users to call a scam number or install software. Once installed, they get charged or lose control of their device. News 5 Cleveland WEWS+1
📣Call to Action – When you get a scary message claiming something urgent (toll bills, virus alerts, debts), treat it as very likely a scam: do not click the link or call the number in the message—go directly to the official website or contact the company yourself.

🔥PRIVACY & BIG TECH – During National Cyber Security Awareness Month, older‑adult scams are under renewed focus
👉Why it matters – Platforms and regulators are now spotlighting how AI‑powered and social‑engineering scams are evolving, especially targeting seniors. The fact the tech‑giants are publicly acknowledging the gap means we should too. Facebook+1
📣Call to Action – Take advantage of Cyber Awareness Month by updating your devices (phones, tablets, computers), reviewing the apps you’ve allowed permissions to, and having a quick “cyber check‑in” with someone you trust (family or friend) at least once this week.

✅Quick Safety Tip of the Day
Never give remote access of your computer or device to someone who contacts you out of the blue—even if they sound official and say they’re helping you.

(AI was used to create this article.)

🙋Closing Note
Stay safe, stay secure, stay curious, and remember my friends—you’re never too old to outsmart a scammer👋