Next Time You Visit Your Parents, Take These 5 Steps to Secure Their Devices

If you’re the family’s go-to tech support, you’re probably used to rescuing your parents or elderly relatives from frozen screens, forgotten passwords, and mysterious error messages. But beyond quick fixes, have you checked whether their devices are actually secure?

A good first step is installing reliable protection and running a scan, but there’s more you can do to keep them safe. With just a little time and a few simple tweaks, you can help protect them from scams, data breaches, and cyber threats they may not even realize exist.

Here are five steps to give their phones, tablets, and computers a much-needed security checkup next time you visit them.

Keep Everything Updated

Software updates aren’t just about adding new features—they fix security vulnerabilities and bugs and make sure apps and websites work properly. If your parents tend to hit “Remind Me Later” every time an update pops up, now is a good time to take care of it for them.

Here’s how to check for updates:

Windows: Go to  Settings > Windows Update
Mac: Open  System Settings > General > Software Update
Android: Head to Settings > System > Software Updates
iPhone/iPad: Go to  Settings > General > Software Update

If their device allows automatic updates, turn that on so they don’t have to worry about it. If you find that their computer or phone is too old to get updates, it might be time to talk about upgrading to something newer for better security and performance.

Review App Permissions

Apps often ask for permission to access things like the camera, microphone, location, and contacts. While some apps genuinely need these permissions, others might be collecting more data than necessary.

You can check and manage these permissions here:

Windows: Settings > Privacy & Security
Mac: System Settings > Privacy & Security
Android: Settings > Security & privacy > Privacy controls > Permission manager
iPhone/iPad: Settings > Privacy & Security

If you spot an app that has access to something it probably doesn’t need—like a flashlight app asking for microphone access—turn it off. If your parents don’t even recognize an app, it’s safest to uninstall it. They can always reinstall it later if needed.

3. Secure Their Web Browser

A lot of security risks come from web browsing—whether it’s outdated software, sneaky browser extensions, or sketchy search engines that redirect them to spammy websites.

Take a few minutes to check their browser settings:

Make sure their browser is up to date (this usually happens automatically).
Review installed extensions—get rid of anything suspicious or unnecessary.
Check the homepage and default search engine to make sure it hasn’t been changed by malware.

For Chrome users, you can check for updates by clicking the three-dot menu (top right) > Settings > About Chrome. To manage extensions, go to Settings > Extensions. Other browsers have similar options in their settings menus.

4. Improve Password Security

Weak or reused passwords are a major security risk, especially for seniors who might struggle to keep track of multiple logins. If your parents are still writing passwords in a notebook (or worse, using the same password everywhere), now’s the time to help them upgrade their security.

The best solution is a password manager, which securely stores all their logins in one place and even suggests strong passwords. If they’re open to it, help them set one up—it will make their life (and yours) much easier in the long run.

Also, make sure they enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on important accounts like email and banking. It adds an extra step when logging in but greatly improves security, especially against phishing scams.

5. Talk to Them About Scams and Teach Them How to Spot Them

Seniors are often targeted by online scams, from fake tech support calls to phishing emails pretending to be from their bank. A simple conversation can go a long way in helping them recognize these threats before they fall for them.

Here’s what to focus on:

Never trust unsolicited calls or emails asking for personal information, money, or remote access to their device.
Be skeptical of urgent messages, especially those claiming you are in an emergency situation— scammers often use panic and fear to pressure them into acting quickly.
Watch out for fake websites that mimic real companies but have small differences in their web address (like “amaz0n.com” instead of “amazon.com”).

To make things easier, introduce them to Bitdefender Scamio, an AI-powered scam detector that can quickly analyze suspicious messages. They can simply copy and paste the text into Scamio (on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, web browser, or Discord – all for free! , and it will check if it’s fraudulent. If they have friends or family abroad, remind them that Scamio is available in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Romania, Australia, and the UK.

Another free tool is Bitdefender Link Checker, which verifies URLs before clicking. It can detect cloned websites and flag phishing attempts, helping them avoid scams before they engage.

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Additional Security Tips

To make their devices even safer, here are a few extra steps you can take:

Set Up Emergency Contacts and Recovery Options

Many seniors struggle with account recovery when they forget passwords or get locked out. Help them add trusted contacts to their phone, email, and banking apps for easier recovery. Also, make sure they have a backup email or phone number linked to their accounts.

Enable Device Tracking and Remote Wipe

If they misplace their phone or if it gets stolen, features, like Find My iPhone (for Apple devices) or Find My Device (for Android), can help locate it. Show them how it works and ensure it’s enabled.

Secure Online Payments and Shopping

Seniors are often targeted by fake online stores and fraudulent payment requests. Teach them to shop only from reputable websites and avoid clicking on links in emails offering “too good to be true” deals. Setting up virtual credit cards or PayPal can add an extra layer of security.

Check for Unused or Suspicious Subscriptions

Some seniors unknowingly subscribe to expensive or fraudulent services. Review their banking or credit card statements to spot unfamiliar charges and help them cancel any unnecessary subscriptions.

For complete family protection, consider Bitdefender Premium Security. It includes everything your loved ones need, from advanced antivirus, phishing and fraud protection, a secure VPN for private browsing, a password manager, and real-time threat detection to parental control tools for keeping children safe online.

Check out plans here.