Technology makes our lives better, more convenient and more connected. But it’s often easy to feel like we work for our smart devices and not the other way around. Check out these five technology tips for seniors to get the most out of their smartphones and tablets.
Stay Safe on the Internet
Use Strong Passwords
We live in a world of passwords—everything from our phones to our banks, to our TVs require them these days. To keep yourself and your information safe, it’s important to choose strong passwords. Remember to always choose unique passwords that don’t include easily identifiable details like your birthday or address. Strong passwords also include numbers and special characters (like $, !, and @). Internet security provider Norton has a good guide on how to pick a strong password.
Update Your Virus Protection
While most reputable websites are safe, there are still plenty of places on the internet where you can pick up a computer virus. However, we can’t be vigilant 100% of the time—that’s where anti-virus software comes in. Windows computers come preloaded with powerful anti-virus software with its Windows Defender product. Apple users have several free options as well. If you install anti-virus software, remember it’s only effective if it’s kept up to date, so be sure to enable its “auto-update” feature.
Make Your Phones & Tablets Smarter
Boost Your Text Size
For most of us, the default text on our smartphones and tablets is far too small to read comfortably. Thankfully smartphone manufacturers include settings to increase font size. Check the “Accessibility” section of your settings app for options to increase the font size, increase color contrast, and other settings that can make it easier to read information on the screen.
Try Easy Mode
Beyond boosting your text size, many smartphones come with an “easy mode” setting that strips away many of the advanced features of the phone, leaving behind just the essentials like calling and texting. Check your phone’s display settings to enable easy mode. For more tips on making your phone easier to use, check out Popular Science’s useful smartphone accessibility guide.
Use a Spam Call Blocker
Every year spammers cost U.S. consumers millions with their fraudulent activity. Calling us on our smartphones is one of the main ways these crooks get our attention. App developers have responded by introducing spam call blocking software that can drastically reduce the number of spam calls you get. RoboKiller, Truecaller, and Hiya – Caller ID & Block all provide effective spam blocking for a small monthly subscription fee.
Technology can make our lives easier, but only if we’re in control. EasyCall is your technology partner for personal emergencies. With EasyCall, you’re never further from help than the push of a button.
