Cyber Awareness Month: Granny Training 101

In part one, we talked about why cybersecurity is really about protecting you, not just your workplace. Now let’s take it closer to home—literally.

Cybercriminals have a not-so-secret hobby: picking on people who might not be as tech-savvy. They target older generations because they assume they’re less tech-savvy, and that they will not spot fake websites and scam calls. 

Let’s prove them wrong and show that your granny is tougher than she looks. If she can handle knitting patterns with 12 different stitches, bake a three-tier cake from scratch, or figure out Facetime just to see the grandkids—she can definitely learn to outsmart a scammer. All she needs is the right training.

Granny Training 101

1. Show, don’t tell. Forget jargon like “phishing vectors.” Show her an example scam email. Point out the strange sender and the urgency to “act now!”. Real examples stick better than theory.

   
   

2. Build strong basics. Set her up with a password manager so she never has to tape logins to the fridge again. Enable automatic updates so she doesn’t have to remember them. Put a decent antivirus in place and show her the green tick when things are okay. 

   
   

3. Make it fun. Turn it into a game. Send her a fake email you’ve created and see if she can spot it. Celebrate when she catches it. Prizes are optional (but highly recommended), and new memories with grandkids are always treasured.

   
   

4. Simple rules win. Instead of overwhelming her with details, stick to the golden rules: if you’re unsure, don’t click, don’t reply, and call someone you trust.

   
   

5. Confidence beats fear. Scaring granny into thinking the internet is a minefield only makes her anxious. Empower her to feel confident. “You can do this” works better than “Don’t you dare click that!”

   
   

Why Granny Training Matters

The truth is, scammers don’t just target the elderly. They go after anyone distracted, tired, or rushing — which is all of us at some point. By training granny, you’re creating a cyber-smart household. Kids, parents, flatmates — everyone benefits from these habits.

Cybersecurity can be a family activity, and when granny can spot scams better than half your office, you’ll know you’ve succeeded.