Fergie's Tech Blog

'Silver Surfers' Targeted in Web Scams

Brett Winterford writes on ITNews.com.au:

Australia's elderly population is being targeted by cyber-criminals, according to panellists at a security conference late last week.

Representatives from the law enforcement, ISP and vendor communities said that with life savings at risk and little experience on the internet, the country's 'silver surfers' are directly in the firing line.

The term 'silver surfers' refers to those consumers using the internet for the first time when over the age of 65.

"The Seniors within the community are the target," said Superintendent Brian Hay of the Queensland Police. "These people with self-managed super funds, they have the money, they are being targeted."

The Queensland Police is currently conducting research to determine why these groups are so often falling victim.

"They are not used to the cyber environment," Hay said.

posted by Fergie @ 7/19/2009 06:25:00 PM