Avast study finds older Kiwis at high risk of online scams

A recent study from Avast has highlighted that outdated digital habits leave a significant proportion of older New Zealanders vulnerable to online scams.

The Avast Safe Tech Report found that almost half (44%) of older Kiwis are still in the habit of writing passwords down on paper, according to reports from their younger relatives. This method, while seemingly harmless, exposes older individuals to a heightened risk of cybercrime, with criminal actors looking for easy access to personal information.

Generational gaps

The study, which surveyed over 1,000 adult New Zealanders, underscores a pronounced generational gap in cyber security awareness and behaviour. Nearly half (45%) of respondents said they have had to intervene to help their older family members avoid falling victim to scams. A sizeable majority (84%) have attempted to warn older loved ones about risky online behaviours or fraud risks.

The effectiveness of these warnings, however, appears mixed. Although 53% of older adults changed their habits following advice, 16% did not understand the information provided. Another 10% felt their younger relatives were overreacting, and 9% admitted to lying about changing their habits while continuing their previous practices.

Risky behaviours

The areas of greatest concern raised by participants included older people clicking on suspicious links (91%), answering unknown calls (83%), responding to texts from strangers (84%), oversharing personal information (78%), downloading unfamiliar apps (78%), and maintaining weak passwords (70%).

Among these habits, writing passwords on paper remains widespread, with 44% of respondents stating that their older loved ones still do this. The report notes that these behaviours "create an open invitation for criminal activity."

Impact of online threats

According to the survey, 46% of New Zealanders with older relatives said those family members have already been victims of some form of online threat. Of those affected, 26% experienced scams, 17% faced financial fraud, 10% suffered malware infections, and 7% have been victims of identity theft.

The most common types of scams encountered by older New Zealanders include tech support scams involving pop-up calls about supposed viruses, phishing messages pretending to originate from banks or the police, and fake invoice scams designed to resemble legitimate payment requests from recognised companies.

Expert advice

"We see that many older adults genuinely want to stay safe online but weren't raised with this technology where the rules are constantly changing," says Mark Gorrie, APAC Managing Director for Avast. "The Avast Safe Tech Report shows that small behaviours – like jotting down passwords or trusting unsolicited calls – can open the door to massive fraud. That's why families need to talk about it, openly and often."

He added, "Nearly half (49%) of Kiwis with older loved ones agree that their older loved ones are susceptible to believing false or fraudulent information they see online. These conversations can be tricky, but we have to keep trying – the key is patience, respect, and making it a two-way exchange rather than a lecture."

Safe tech practices

The report also offers practical steps and best practices for families to bolster cyber safety among older relatives. Avast experts recommend 'the Safe Tech Talk'—a regular, open conversation about recent scams, cybersecurity practices and safe internet habits. The advice includes using strong, unique passwords, learning to spot unsolicited communications, understanding common scam types, installing security software, and sharing concerns with trusted friends or family members when in doubt.

Reinforcing the need for ongoing education and support, Gorrie stated, "You can't hide your head in the sand and leave the people you care for at the mercy of cybercriminals. Nearly a fifth (18%) of Kiwis with older loved ones said they'd prefer to go to the dentist over helping them navigate the internet, and over a quarter (26%) have never taught an older loved one about staying safe online. The stress from an identity breach or the loss of money can really affect older people. It's time we all took 'the talk' with those we care for more seriously."

Continuing the conversation

The study emphasises that cyber safety lessons are not a one-off discussion but should form part of regular, everyday habits. Families are encouraged to schedule routine check-ins and serve as ongoing resources for guidance, reinforcing that no question about online safety is trivial when it comes to mitigating risks.