Senior Cyber Safety Briefing – October 22, 2025

🚨ALERT – Meta Platforms rolls out new AI‑powered scam warnings for older users on WhatsApp & Messenger
👉Why it matters – Scammers increasingly target seniors via messaging apps, mimicking family, charity or urgent‑money requests. Meta’s new features aim to detect such fraud early and warn older users. Cyber Security News+1
📣Call to Action – Be skeptical of any message asking for money, authentication codes or remote sharing; if in doubt, call the sender using a trusted number instead of replying.

📈ECONOMY & SECURITY – Ransomware incidents soar: Over 2,300 attacks hit critical sectors in 2025 so far
👉Why it matters – Healthcare, energy and financial services are prime targets. If your bank or health provider is disrupted, access to your money or care could be delayed. Industrial Cyber
📣Call to Action – Check your own service providers (bank, insurance, health plan) for any recent notices of outages or breaches; set an alert on your banking app to get notified of unusual login activity.

🧠MUST‑READ – Kaufman County, Texas courthouse hit by cybersecurity incident, disrupting public services
👉Why it matters – Even local government systems can get hacked, meaning your records or legal‑documents might be exposed or delayed. Seniors often rely on county services for property, wills or benefits. inForney.com
📣Call to Action – If you have any pending filings, court appointments or benefit claims, follow up proactively via phone and keep copies of all important documents stored safely offline.

🔥PRIVACY & BIG TECH – Meta’s expanded anti‑scam toolkit focuses specifically on older adults
👉Why it matters – Tech firms are now acknowledging that seniors are a prime target for cyber‑fraud and are tailoring protection accordingly. That’s good news—but you still need to stay alert. The Tribune+1
📣Call to Action – Review your privacy and security settings on WhatsApp/Messenger: enable two‑step verification, check devices signed in, disable screen‑share with unknown contacts.

💡OPPORTUNITY – Fraud education momentum: With National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in full swing, more targeted resources are available for seniors
👉Why it matters – Awareness and prevention are the strongest protections for older adults in the digital age. Taking a little time now can save major headaches later. The White House
📣Call to Action – Attend a free local or online senior‑fraud workshop, ask your library or community center for one, and commit to reviewing one account’s security each week.

✅Quick Safety Tip of the Day
Never share a one‑time authentication code or let someone remote‑access your computer unless you initiated and verified the contact yourself.

(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👋