Senior Cyber Safety Briefing – October 21, 2025

🚨ALERT – Major cloud‑outage hits critical services via Amazon Web Services (AWS)
👉Why it matters – The outage on Oct 20 impacted services millions of Americans rely on—including video, banking, smart‑home devices and apps—showing how even non‑tech‑savvy users (yes, Bob, that’s you and your thermostat) can get caught in the crossfire. The Economic Times+2GBHackers+2
📣Call to Action – If you couldn’t access one of your apps or smart devices recently, reboot them (router and device), sign into your bank/health app via browser and check for odd activity. Keep offline backup contact info ready.

📈ECONOMY & SECURITY – Long‑running hack at F5 Networks exposes “trusted” infrastructure — senior services may be at indirect risk
👉Why it matters – The breach of F5 gear (used by many banks, insurers and health systems) means the systems that “serve you” could be compromised, even if your device is secure. Reuters
📣Call to Action – Ask any provider your bank or health company uses if they have patched the issue; and make sure you use different passwords for your accounts (don’t reuse across bank, health portal, email).

🧠MUST‑READ – Scams targeting older adults ramping up: fake “debt relief”, home‑repair offers, impostor agencies Facebook
👉Why it matters – Older adults lost $4.8 billion in 2024 to fraud. Scammers are getting sharper with fake websites, voice/cloning, marketing ads linking to “too‑good‑to‑be‑true” offers pretending to help seniors. Facebook
📣Call to Action – If someone calls/ads pop up claiming they’re from the government or offer “free home repair” or “recover your lost money” — hang up, verify independently, don’t click that link.

🔧OPPORTUNITY – Verizon Communications launches “Digital Secure Home” and updates its Protect app — good news for senior households
👉Why it matters – More tools are becoming available that target exactly your scenario: lots of devices, WiFi, perhaps not vigilant about updates. Stock Titan+1
📣Call to Action – If you’re comfortable, investigate whether your internet/phone provider offers a bundled home‑cybersecurity package; if so, ask if you qualify and what it covers.

✅Quick Safety Tip of the Day
Use a secure password manager (even the free ones) and enable multi‑factor authentication on your bank, health portal and email – it’s the cheapest “insurance” you’ll get.

(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👋