Avast’s 2025 Safe Tech Report reveals the rising digital risks faced by older generations and how families can protect them from online scams with empathy, education, and tools like Scam Guardian and secure browsers.
Avast’s new report spotlights the digital risks facing older generations and how family members can support them with empathy, confidence, and the right tools.
As scams are becoming even more difficult to spot and avoid - even for people who never knew life before smartphones - many families are asking the same important question: how do we help keep our older loved ones safe from becoming the next scam victim? The Avast Safe Tech Report, released today, found that 59% of people say their older loved ones have fallen victim to cybercrime. As technology becomes more integrated into everyday life - from banking to medical care - older adults face greater exposure to scams like phishing, fake tech support, romance scams, and Medicare fraud.
If you’ve ever had to sit through “the talk” as an awkward teen, it’s time to flip the script on your older loved ones and lead the conversation of practicing safe tech. Avast security experts understand that these conversations can be difficult, especially with stubborn relatives who insist “they’ve got this.” According to Avast, despite 84% of adults warning their older loved ones about their risky online behavior, only half (53%) of those who were warned changed their habits.
The Frontlines of Digital Safety Start at Home
According to Avast, 71% of Americans are worried about their older loved ones falling victim to an online scam. That concern is well-founded: in 2024, victims over 60 years old reported losses due to fraud of almost $4.9 billion, a 43% increase from 2023. Common scams targeting older adults include:
- Tech Support Scams: Pop-up calls claiming a virus is on the device
- Phishing: Emails or texts pretending to be from banks, popular brands, Medicare or family
- Grandparent scams: Emotional pleas for urgent help, often involving impersonation of a grandchild
Generations Team Up for Online Safety
Nearly one in three Americans say they’ve taught their older loved ones something about online safety in the past week. From sharing the red flags of suspicious emails to explaining secondary lines of defense like multi-factor authentication, families are taking action.
In particular, Gen Z is leading the way: 72% report having helped their older relatives avoid scams. This is a reminder that digital safety is a multigenerational effort as younger adults are uniquely equipped to guide their elder family members through unfamiliar tech terrain.
But even the helpers need help. Only 45% of respondents say they definitely know what to do if they fall victim to a scam.
Always Practice Safe Tech
Avast’s experts recommend starting with approachable, repeatable habits. Here’s how to build a shared safety foundation:
- Strengthen Password Habits: Use long, unique passwords for each account – at least 15-20 characters with a mix of lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers and symbols. Avoid personal information and consider using a password manager, such as Norton Password Manager.
- Spot the Red Flags: Be cautious with unsolicited emails, texts or calls claiming to be from banks, Medicare or tech support. Scams often create a false sense of urgency to trigger quick action.
- Know the Common Scams: Become familiar with the top scams targeting older adults, such as phishing, tech support hoaxes, romance scams, fake invoice scams, fake software updates and Medicare fraud.
- Set Up Smart Safety Tools: Protect phones, computers and tablets with security software that includes scam protection, such as Avast with Scam Guardian , and use a secure browser such as Avast Secure Browser. Keep devices and apps updated.
- Make Cyber Safety a Team Effort: Create a “phone-a-friend” plan and run things by someone you trust if you’re in doubt about whether a message or request is legitimate.
To find more actionable tips for having the Safe Tech Talk with your loved ones, please find a printable flyer here.
About the 2025 Avast Safe Tech Report
With today’s increasing and evolving cyberthreats, Avast created this report to help people understand the unique risks older generations face online – and how their families can help keep them safe.
