The eSafety Commission’s new Advanced Online Security course is helping more than a million older Australians learn new cyber skills.
The course, part of the Commission’s Be Connected program, gives guidance on better managing passwords, using antivirus software and protecting private information.
eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant said as a result of the course, older Australians would be better equipped to do everything from paying bills and doing banking, to shopping for groceries and video-calling the grandkids.
“Older Australians see the challenges — and the benefits — of being able to conduct more of their lives online,” Ms Inman Grant said.
“The concerns of older Australians are clear, with our research showing more than 70 per cent are worried about their devices being hacked,” she said.
“More than 40 per cent want to improve their skills in adjusting privacy settings.”
The Commissioner said many seniors now wanted to take their online safety and security skills to the next level and eSafety was bringing its specialist knowledge in this area to meet the demand.
“Our course is an opportunity for older Australians to delve more deeply into ways to stay secure online,” she said.
“It provides a good understanding of the benefits of using password managers, how antivirus software works, using virtual private networks to protect privacy and more.”
Be Connected is a joint initiative between the Department of Social Services, the eSafety Commissioner and the Good Things Foundation.
The Be Connected website can be accessed at this PS News link.
