by W. Diane Van Zwol

Created on: May 31, 2008

Baby Boomers Will Need Cyber Crime Awareness!

What happens when baby boomers retire is a very intriguing question, as one begins to wonder just exactly what to expect. It would be totally impossible to address every single area of concern, but it is possible to address the need by baby boomers, for cyber crime awareness.

Reality tells us that over the couple of decades, there are going to be thousands of baby boomers, who will be learning computer skills for the first time. While many of the baby boomers are already aware of the unique benefits, or advantages of computers, others have not become computer literate yet.

Cyberspace (used as a synonym for the internet) and online correspondence by e-mail, may feel new and strange to them.

Many baby boomers may not be aware of the extent of cyber crime, through the use of e-mail and its potential impact on them, as well as on other members of society.

Let's address some of the new terminology that the baby boomers should know, for their own protection, when learning how to correspond via e-mails.

Scam is a term that most people are familiar with, as it is essentially a con, or a scheme of some kind that results in a person being swindled. This generally results from the con artist, first obtaining the confidence of the victim. An internet scam is no different, other than the fact that it is done online. (1)
Spam or spamming, involves an abuse of the electronic e-mail system by sending out unsolicited mass, or bulk e-mails. This may also include other media like blogs, phone messaging, instant messaging, etc. It is a very inexpensive way for a spammer to send out a lot of messages, at very little cost. (2)
Spoofing describes fraudulent e-mail that has the sender's address, or heading changed in such a way as to alter the origin, or source of the e-mail. It is often used in spam e-mail. (3)
Phishing is a criminal and fraudulent attempt to obtain information, by acquiring what is referred to as sensitive information, like usernames and passwords, or even credit card information, by claiming to be a legitimate entity in an electronic or online communication. (4)

Baby boomers need to be aware that cyber crime is on the increase and internet regulation, at this time, is still relatively minimal, which places any baby boomer who is just learning about the internet, in a very vulnerable position with respect to e-mail communication.

A scam e-mail could suggest that there is something happening that is too good to be true. In

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>