Browsing on the internet is like driving or walking on a highway. If you don’t taken enough care and precautions, chances of ending up in an accident are very high. With a view to teaching a group of senior citizens safe browsing ways, Google India has organised a Back to School event here.

“Senior members of our families need to be made far more aware and knowledgeable about tools and safe practices on the web. With the right tools and skills, these users can have a safe and secure experience online,” Sunita Mohanty, Director (Trust and Safety) of Google India, said. She along with her team familiarised a group of senior citizens with useful internet services and helped them learn to navigate the web independently.

Then, they were told how to keep their online accounts safe. “If you receive a warning about the site you’re about to enter, don’t proceed and head back to safety. You must have a good password as passwords are the first line of defence against cybercriminals,” she said. “It’s crucial to pick strong passwords that are different for each of your important accounts, and it’s good practice to update your passwords regularly,” she said.

Worrying about remembering too many passwords is the chief reason people reuse passwords across multiple services. Just make sure you keep your list in a safe place, where you won’t lose it and others won’t be able to find it. If you’d prefer to manage your passwords digitally, a trusted password manager might be a good option.

The senior citizens were also told about how to manage app permissions, how to go for device updates and how to shop safe online. They were advised against conducting financial transactions on public computers and avoid logging into accounts that contain sensitive financial information.