What Happens When Baby Boomers Retire?

Baby boomers will need cyber crime awareness

What happens when baby boomers retire is an intriguing question, as one begins to wonder what to expect. It would be impossible to address every single area of concern, but it is possible to address the need by baby boomers for cyber crime awareness.

Reality tells us that over the next couple of decades, there are going to be thousands of baby boomers, who will be learning computer skills, for the first time. While many of the baby boomers are aware of the unique benefits or advantages of computers, others have not become computer literate yet.

Cyberspace (used as a synonym for the Internet) and online correspondence by e-mail, may feel new and strange to them. Many baby boomers may not be aware of the extent of cyber crime through the use of e-mail and its potential impact on them, as well as on other members of society.

Address the new terminology that the baby boomers should know, for their own protection, when learning how to correspond via e-mails.

Scam is a term that most people are familiar with, as it is a con or a scheme that results in a person being swindled. This results from the con artist obtaining the confidence of the victim. An Internet scam is no different, other than the fact that it is done online. (1)

Spam or spamming involves an abuse of the electronic e-mail system by sending out unsolicited mass or bulk e-mails. This may include other media like blogs, phone messaging and instant messaging. It is an inexpensive way for a spammer to send out many messages, at very little cost. (2)

Spoofing describes fraudulent e-mail that has the sender's address or heading changed in such a way as to alter the origin or source of the e-mail. It is used in spam e-mail. (3)

Phishing is a criminal and fraudulent attempt to obtain information, by acquiring sensitive information, like usernames and passwords or credit card information, by claiming to be a legitimate entity in an electronic or online communication. (4)

Baby boomers need to be aware that cyber crime is on the increase and Internet regulation, at this time, is minimal, which places any baby boomer just learning about the Internet, in a vulnerable position with respect to e-mail communication.

A scam e-mail suggests there is something happening that is too good to be true. In this case, it probably is not true and you will lose whatever capital you choose to invest, in this type of fraudulent enterprise.

On the other hand, a spam e-mail could advise you that you have just won a lottery worth several million dollars. You would be requested to submit your personal information to a specific e-mail address. In doing so, you expose yourself to identity theft.

Spoofing is a computer security issue, with fraudulent e-mail imitating a real e-mail.

Phishing suggests that a person's actual account may have been compromised and a request is made for the personal or financial information that is on that account.

Baby boomers need to be aware that they do not have to respond to any of these e-mails. If there is any question about the source of an e-mail, it should not be opened or responded to, in any way. This is a form of cyber abuse by predators and should be reported to the authorities. The e-mail should be deleted, as it may contain a virus.

Many of these e-mails appear similar in script and format, with only the names, phones numbers and e-mail addresses changed. A number of them will appear to originate from the same part of the world. They may contain what appears to be legal terminology. Some of them will be an appeal for compassion. They will demand money and may be abusive or become abusive, in the future, if you do reply to them.

When you receive an e-mail that has a heading in capital letters, it may represent something that is or will be, potentially threatening in nature. Some of the e-mails will include passport pictures. They may suggest large inheritances, a request for you to invest their money for some benevolent cause, potential partnerships or relationships, offers for employment and time shares.

Many will suggest setting up an offshore bank account or advise you to make a future visit to some country, in order to pick up large amounts of money. References may to specific delivery companies, who you are advised to contact. Do not telephone any of the telephone numbers, as you may incur major telephone charges. Do not set up bank accounts, agree to visit any of these places or call the delivery companies.

Be aware that by responding to these kinds of e-mails, it only encourages the predators to continue. Cyber crime does need to be addressed, as it represents a major concern for the wellbeing of baby boomers and others.

Regulation and self regulation are two different ways that cyber crime can and will be addressed, controlled or hopefully eliminated in the future. Cyber crime awareness is important to baby boomers and others.

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scam

(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam_%28electronic%29

(3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-mail_spoofing

(4) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phishing