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N.J. Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness Director Chris Rodriguez speaks to senior citizens Tuesday Dec. 1 about cyber security awareness. Tony Golowski sits second from the left in a long-sleeved blue polo shirt at the right table. (Lindsay Rittenhouse)
HAMILTON — Shoppers are increasingly heading online for gift buying versus trekking to dozens of stores only to wait in long lines or find that the last Star Wars toy on aisle 10 was snagged by the guy in the minivan who took your parking space.
However, the nearly 121 million people who planned to take advantage of Cyber Monday deals – which may seem like less of a headache – put themselves at a much greater risk for online security attacks, according to the National Retail Federation.
"Ahead of the holiday season, senior citizens are the most vulnerable to cyber security attacks," N.J. Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness spokeswoman Stephanie Raphael said.
On Tuesday, officials from Homeland Security and the N.J. Department of Human Services visited the Bernice Muha Senior Center in Hamilton to teach residents how to be safe on the Internet.
"About half of cyber crime targets people 50 years or older," Homeland Security Director Chris Rodriguez said. "We want to ensure you are best protected from these scams, these frauds."
While most who attended said they did not own a computer, some were interested in knowing how to combat other security attacks such as phone scammers trying to get them to wire money.
"I got a call from someone saying my granddaughter is in a Canadian jail and they need me to send $200," audience member Tony Golowski said. "I knew my granddaughter lived in Florida."
Golowski said he got another call from someone saying he won $1 million but they needed him to first front $150,000.
"Out of the United States these phone calls come from," Golowski said.
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Kathy Van Fossen (left) discusses with two friends.
Rodriguez said what Golowski experienced is a common scam and what to do in those situations is to get as much information as possible then report the call to the police.
Vera Watkins said she was very interested in knowing how to guard herself against cyber security threats, even though she only uses the Internet sparingly.
"I'm very cautious when I do use it," Watkins said.
Rodriguez said one tip for people using the Internet to shop is to always check that the website browser has the "http" to ensure its legitimacy.
"If anyone needs your social security number, it's usually a scam," he said.
Although Kathy Van Fossen said she does not own a computer and does not wish to purchase one no matter how much her "daughter is after her" to do so, she was interested to hear about the different security threats that could affect her.
"I'm here to hear what they have to say," Van Fusson said. "But I'd rather write a letter or get on the telephone."
The speakers still encouraged audience members to use the Internet and if they choose not to, to pass the safety information along to their friends and family.
"You shouldn't be afraid to use it at all," Human Services Acting Commissioner Elizabeth Connolly said. "We want to make sure you use the Internet safely."
Lindsay Rittenhouse may be reached at lrittenhouse@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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