SPC, with a long history in developing accessible and secure devices for the whole family, shares several tips for using devices aimed at improving cybersecurity and promoting proper digital habits for the entire family.
Encouraging digital security habits in children and older adults is essential to protect them from technological risks. 58.7% of families with elderly dependents identify fraudulent calls as the main technological concern for seniors, highlighting the need for tools to enhance the security of their devices.
Spain ranks among the European countries with the highest incidence of cyberattacks, placing fifth according to a Microsoft Digital Defense report. Almost all attacks are related to data breaches, which allow cybercriminals to crack passwords and thus access sensitive information for financial gain. This increase in digital threats coincides with the increasingly intensive and widespread use of smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and connected devices, which can be vulnerable to unauthorized access if necessary precautions are not taken.
In this context, SPC, a Spanish consumer electronics brand, reminds us that protecting our devices is easier than it seems and offers five recommendations to enjoy technology more securely:
1. Keep devices updated:
Updates not only add new features but also include security improvements that fix vulnerabilities and help prevent unauthorized access. Checking if a device is updated is very simple, and on most smartphones and tablets, you just need to go to the system settings and enter the software update section to see if any version is pending.
For applications, it is advisable to occasionally check the available updates section within the device’s official store to ensure all apps have the latest security improvements.
2. Review the permissions granted to apps on your devices:
Over time, many applications accumulate permissions that are not always necessary for their operation. It is common for some apps to request access to location, camera, microphone, or contact list even when not needed, exposing more information than we might expect. Reviewing these permissions in the device settings allows greater control over what data we share with each app and limits those that are not essential. This is a simple way to strengthen privacy and avoid potential risks from unnecessary access.
3. Exercise extra caution when connecting to public networks:
Open networks found in cafes, stations, or shopping centers do not always offer the best security guarantees for our devices and personal data. Current smartphones and tablets have a network detection feature that alerts users when there is an open public network, but this feature does not analyze its security. On Android devices, you can disable this automatic WiFi network detection in the Network Preferences section of the WiFi Settings.
4. Activate built-in protection features and make backups:
Many devices include protection tools that work in the background to identify suspicious behavior, analyze apps, or alert about possible risks, such as Google Play Protect. Ensuring these features are active adds an extra layer of security without needing to install third-party software. Regularly backing up data to the cloud or an external device ensures essential information is protected in case of loss or technical failure.
5. Promote cybersecurity habits among children and older adults:
Digital protection also means supporting those who may be more vulnerable to cyber risks. For children, it is vital to guide them in developing safe digital habits from an early age and equip them with the ability to identify suspicious information, avoid downloads from unverified sources, and especially not share personal data online.
For older adults, they may feel insecure when interacting with some devices and new technologies. In fact, one of the most common problems in mobile use remains receiving fraudulent calls or calls from unknown numbers. According to a study by SPC, 58.7% of family members or caregivers identify this type of call as the main problem seniors face when using their phones, above other issues like adjusting brightness or volume, understanding and managing notifications, or sending messages.
In this situation, tools like the free SPC Care app can greatly facilitate their daily lives, as it allows family members and caregivers to remotely manage certain aspects of the senior user’s device, such as the contact list. The options to add, delete, or edit contacts help educate older adults to only answer favorite contacts or even allow us to save spam numbers under striking names like “DO NOT ANSWER” or “FRAUD” to ensure they do not respond to calls from unknown or fraudulent numbers. This reinforces the digital autonomy of older adults, providing peace of mind to both them and their families and caregivers.
“Protecting our devices should not be a complex task. With a few habits incorporated into the digital routine, anyone can enjoy technology with greater security and confidence. At SPC, we believe protection is not only about the device itself but also about supporting those who need it most so they can interact with technology in a simple, safe, and tailored way,” says Verónica Catediano, SPC’s communications manager.
[button url="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0506/9678/1998/files/MS_30_de_noviembre_-_Dia_de_la_Seguridad_Informatica_WEB.docx?v=1763978810"text="Download"]
