A Bulldog Bytes Cyber-Seniors workshop Thursday morning in Columbus will help computer users age 55 and over maneuver more safely online. Students from Mississippi State’s Bagley College of Engineering will conduct the workshop from 9-11 a.m. in the Parish Hall of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 318 College St.
Topics to be covered include maintaining personal safety in the online world, how to create strong passwords, recognizing email frauds and scams and how to use social media such as Facebook and Instagram.
“The Internet offers all citizens the ability to keep in close touch with family members and also provides access to information and resources,” said Sarah Lee, codirector of the Bulldog Bytes Program and director of the Mississippi Computing and Cybersecurity Equitable Education Space. “Older citizens did not grow up in the digital world that exists today, and the use of technology for communication and for completing tasks such as shopping or scheduling a medical appointment is a new concept.”
Older persons are frequently targets of criminals online through email and social media. Scams may involve “free prizes,” health care products, inexpensive vacations or investment schemes. The Bulldog Bytes workshop can help seniors become more savvy about spotting fraudulent activity, among other skills.
For more information or to register, visit bulldogbytes.online/senior-workshops/ or contact Lee at 662-325-2756.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
