How to help older relatives with tech over the holidays

Heading location for the holidays gives you a large accidental to assistance older parents with their tech. The sojourn often comes with questions astir phones, computers, astute TVs and the caller artificial quality tools they perceive about. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, you tin usage this clip to acceptable them up for a safer and smoother tech year.

You whitethorn usher them done FaceTime oregon telephone calls during the remainder of the year, yet moving with them successful idiosyncratic makes everything easier. You tin update devices, set settings, amended information and forestall galore of the issues that pb to accent later.

Below is simply a elemental program you tin travel portion you are location for the holidays.

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Helping parents update devices during the holidays sets them up for a safer commencement to the caller year. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)

Respect their comfortableness level with tech

Some parents emotion learning caller tools. Others privation stability. If their setup works for them, debar pushing large changes. Also, debar relying connected bots to reply each their questions. They scope retired due to the fact that they privation existent assistance and a existent connection.

When you thatch them thing new, locomotion done the steps alternatively of taking implicit the device. Leave written instructions truthful they tin repetition the steps later.

Above all, enactment patient. This process builds assurance for them and bid of caput for you. 

Check bundle updates connected each device

Automatic updates support things accelerated and safe. Many older relatives skip them due to the fact that they interest thing volition break.

iPhone oregon iPad

• Open Settings
• Select General
• Tap Software Update
• Go to Automatic Updates
• Turn on Automatically Install

Android

Settings whitethorn alteration depending connected your Android phone's manufacturer.

• Open Settings
• Tap System
• Click Software updates
• Tap Check for updates

For automatic app updates:

• Open Play Store
• Tap the profile icon
• Select Settings > Network preferences > Auto-update apps
• Choose Update implicit Wi-Fi only

macOS

• Click the Apple icon successful the precocious left-hand country of the screen
• Open System Settings
• Select General
• Choose Software Update
• Turn on Automatic Updates

Windows 11

• Select the Start menu
• Open Settings
• Choose Windows Update
• Turn on Get the latest updates arsenic soon arsenic they're available

You tin besides acceptable progressive hours, truthful astonishment restarts bash not interrupt them.

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Simple steps similar turning connected automatic updates tin forestall galore problems earlier they appear. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)

Teach elemental fixes that lick astir issues

One of the champion skills you tin springiness them is however to powerfulness rhythm devices. Show them however to unplug and restart:

The router

• Unplug the router and modem from power.
• Wait 30 seconds truthful the representation clears.
• Plug the modem backmost in archetypal and fto it afloat footwear until each lights stabilize.
• Plug the router backmost in and hold for the Wi-Fi airy to crook coagulated again.
• Reconnect devices and cheque for internet.

The computer

• Save any unfastened work.
• On Windows: Select Start > Power > Restart.
• On Mac: Select the Apple paper > Restart.
• If frozen, clasp the powerfulness fastener for 10 seconds to unit a reset.
• After the reboot, open only the apps they need to support things moving smoothly.

The phone

iPhone:

• Press and clasp the Side fastener + Volume Up until the powerfulness slider appears.
• Slide to powerfulness off.
• Wait 10 seconds, past clasp the Side button to crook it backmost on.

Android:

Settings whitethorn alteration depending connected your Android phone’s manufacturer.

• Press and clasp the Power + Volume Down buttons until the powerfulness paper appears.
• Tap Restart or Power off, past powerfulness it backmost connected if needed.
• If frozen, clasp the powerfulness fastener for 10 seconds to unit a reboot.

The astute TV

• Turn the TV off with the remote.
• Unplug it from the partition for 60 seconds truthful the cache clears.
• Plug it backmost successful and crook it on.
• If apps misbehave, thatch them however to:Restart the TV from Settings > System > Restart (Roku, Fire TV, Google TV and Samsung models each person this).Update the apps done the TV's app store.
• Restart the TV from Settings > System > Restart (Roku, Fire TV, Google TV and Samsung models each person this).
• Update the apps done the TV's app store.

A gentle reset solves galore mundane glitches. Celebrate the wins truthful they consciousness assured erstwhile they hole thing connected their own.

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Teaching basal skills builds assurance and reduces the tech frustrations that often pb to stress. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)

Protect them from scams

Scammers proceed to people older adults with fake calls, texts oregon emails that look similar they travel from banks, authorities agencies oregon adjacent large tech brands. Many radical manus implicit wealth due to the fact that the connection sounds urgent oregon the caller ID looks real. While you're visiting, you tin acceptable up elemental protections that artifact astir threats earlier they scope them. Here are the astir important steps to grip together:

1) Teach them not to click links and instal beardown antivirus software

Show them however scammers disguise links successful texts, emails and pop-ups. Remind them to ne'er pat unexpected attachments oregon "urgent" messages. While you're there, instal beardown antivirus bundle that stops unsafe links earlier they open. Make definite it includes:

• Real-time malware blocking
• Safe browsing alerts
• Email and substance nexus scanning
• Identity monitoring (many 2025 apps present see this)

The champion mode to safeguard them from malicious links that instal malware, perchance accessing their backstage information, is to person beardown antivirus bundle installed connected each their devices. This extortion tin besides alert them to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping their idiosyncratic accusation and integer assets safe.

If they already person antivirus software, spell up and update it, so they ever person the latest protections, past acceptable it to auto-scan weekly.

Get my picks for the champion 2025 antivirus extortion winners for their Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

2) Use a idiosyncratic data-removal service

Explain that scammers often propulsion idiosyncratic details from the internet, including aged addresses, telephone numbers and occupation history. Help them motion up for a information removal work that clears their accusation from people-search sites and information brokers. Choose 1 that supports:

• Automatic removals
• Custom URL submissions
• Ongoing monitoring
• Monthly scans with alerts

This reduces the idiosyncratic info criminals tin usage to impersonate them. While nary work tin warrant the implicit removal of their information from the internet, a information removal work is truly a astute choice. They aren't cheap, and neither is their privacy. These services bash each the enactment for them by actively monitoring and systematically erasing their idiosyncratic accusation from hundreds of websites. It's what gives maine bid of caput and has proven to beryllium the astir effectual mode to erase idiosyncratic information from the internet. By limiting the accusation available, you trim the hazard of scammers cross-referencing information from breaches with accusation they mightiness find connected the acheronian web, making it harder for them to people your loved ones.

Check retired my apical picks for information removal services and get a escaped scan to find retired if their idiosyncratic accusation is already retired connected the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

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3) Set up telephone extortion truthful chartless callers spell consecutive to voicemail

Most scams statesman with a telephone telephone pretending to beryllium Amazon support, Medicare, Social Security oregon a household subordinate successful trouble. Both iPhone and Android present see stronger call-screening tools than ever.

On iPhone 

• Go to Settings
• Tap Apps
• Click Phone
• Scroll down and crook on Silence Unknown Callers
• Go to Settings
• Tap Apps
• Click Messages
• Under Unknown Senders, toggle on Screen Unknown Senders to fell notifications and determination messages to the Unknown Senders list. Also, scroll down and toggle on Filter Spam.

On Android 

To filter chartless oregon spam calls:

Settings whitethorn alteration depending connected your Android phone’s manufacturer.

• Open the Phone app
• Tap the three dots or three horizontal lines successful the corner
• Select Settings
• Tap Caller ID & spam, Spam protection, or Scam Detection (the statement varies)
• Turn on Spam protection, Scam Detection, Filter spam calls or See Caller and spam ID

To filter spam texts:

• Open the Messages app (Google Messages connected astir phones)
• Tap the profile icon or three dots
• Open Messages settings
• Tap Spam protection
• Turn on Enable spam protection

Tell them: "If the telephone is real, the caller volition permission a message."

4) Set up spam filters for emails

Make definite their inbox sorts retired junk automatically.

iPhone Mail:

• Go to Settings
• Tap Apps
• Click Mail
• Tap Blocked Sender Options
• Turn on Mark Blocked Sender

Gmail (browser version)

Gmail filters spam automatically, but you tin tighten things adjacent more. To fortify spam filtering:

• Open Gmail successful a web browser
• Click the gear icon > See each settings
• Go to Filters and Blocked Addresses
• Create a filter for trusted contacts and select Never nonstop to Spam

To artifact tracking pixels:

• Open Gmail successful a browser > Settings > See each settings > GeneralScroll to Images
• Select Ask earlier displaying outer images

Outlook (web oregon desktop)

To negociate junk message filtering:

• Open Outlook
• Go to Settings
• Select Mail > Junk email
• Add trusted contacts to Safe senders and domains
• Add unwanted senders to Blocked senders and domains

To artifact tracking pixels/images:
• Open Outlook Settings
• Look for Automatic representation downloads (web) or Trust Center (desktop)
• Turn on Block outer images

5) Turn connected two-factor authentication everywhere

Walk done their indispensable accounts and add 2FA:

• Email
• Banking apps
• Credit paper accounts
• Social media
• Shopping apps similar Amazon

Use text-based codes if they prefer, oregon acceptable up a simple authenticator app for safer logins.

6) Add password helpers

Create beardown passwords that you don't request to memorize. Set them up with:

• A written exigency backup list stored successful a harmless spot astatine home.
• A password manager with autofill, which securely stores and generates analyzable passwords, reducing the hazard of password reuse.Next, spot if their email has been exposed successful past breaches. Our #1 password manager (see Cyberguy.com) prime includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether an email code oregon passwords person appeared successful known leaks. If you observe a match, instantly alteration immoderate reused passwords and unafraid those accounts with new, unsocial credentials.Check retired the champion expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com.

7) Set up fraud alerts connected their slope and recognition paper accounts

Most banks present send:

• Real-time substance alerts
• Spending notifications
• Login alerts
• Large acquisition approvals

Turn each of these on.

8) Teach the 1 regularisation that stops the biggest scams

Tell them: "No existent bank, institution oregon authorities bureau volition ever telephone oregon substance asking for codes, passwords oregon payments."

9) Make a elemental "call maine first" plan

Let them know: "If thing feels off, telephone maine earlier you respond." It gives them assurance and takes the unit off.

If your parents autumn unfortunate to a scam, instrumentality enactment fast

• Contact their banks and recognition paper companies and study the contented close away.
• Place a fraud alert oregon frost with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to dilatory down immoderate caller attempts to unfastened accounts.
• Use an individuality theft extortion service that monitors fiscal activity, scans the acheronian web and alerts you to suspicious changes. It adds an other safeguard portion you enactment to unafraid their information. See my tips and champion picks connected however to support yourself from individuality theft at Cyberguy.com.
• Change passwords connected each important account. As mentioned earlier, a password manager helps older relatives debar anemic oregon repeated passwords. Show them however it works and assistance them store everything successful 1 unafraid place. This 1 measurement prevents galore aboriginal problems.
• Keep a database of their accounts and telephone numbers for each company.
• If they agree, petition support to talk connected their behalf. This saves clip erstwhile problems hit.

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Remote enactment tools marque it casual to usher parents erstwhile you are backmost location and they request help. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)

Set up distant assistance truthful you tin enactment them later

When things get much complex, distant assistance lets you measurement successful from anywhere.

Windows Quick Assist

• Press Windows cardinal + Ctrl + Q connected some computers
• You choose Help someone
• Tell them the information code
• They participate it under Get help

Mac Screen Sharing

• On the big Mac, click the Apple icon successful the precocious near country → open System Settings
• Go to General → Sharing
• Toggle "Screen Sharing" to ON
• Click the info ("i") adjacent to the toggle, choose "Only these users," past adhd the Apple ID oregon idiosyncratic relationship you trust
• On the different Mac, unfastened the built-in Screen Sharing app (or Finder → Connect to Server) and prime the big Mac (by Apple ID, web sanction oregon IP)
• The user must o.k. each session for privateness - that way, they power erstwhile to let distant access

Chrome Remote Desktop

• Visit remotedesktop.google.com/support
• They select Generate Code
• They work you the 12-digit code
• You participate it under Connect to different computer

This makes aboriginal troubleshooting speedy and stress-free.

FaceTime distant power connected iPhones

If your parents usage iPhones with iOS 18 oregon newer, you tin usher them by taking impermanent power of their screen. This diagnostic lives wrong SharePlay and was further refined successful iOS 26.2, but the basal steps are the same. When you're visiting successful person, locomotion them done this erstwhile truthful they consciousness assured utilizing it later.

• Start a FaceTime call.
• Tap the Share fastener (or SharePlay icon) astatine the apical of the call.
• Choose Ask to Share Screen.
• Tell your genitor to tap Share connected the punctual that appears.
• Once their surface is visible, pat the hand/Request Control button.
• Ask them to approve the 2nd prompt to let control.

These steps presume some devices are connected iOS 18 oregon aboriginal and successful a one‑on‑one FaceTime call, which is required for distant power to work. Apple blocks delicate actions, specified arsenic changes to Apple ID and payments. Only trusted contacts tin petition access, which helps older relatives consciousness unafraid portion you assistance them. 

Add exigency contacts connected their phone

iPhone

How to adhd yourself oregon contacts nether Emergency Contacts utilizing Medical ID

• Open the Health app connected iPhone
• Tap your profile picture (top right)
• Tap Medical ID
• Scroll down to Emergency Contacts
• Tap Edit
• Tap Add Emergency Contact
• Select a contact from your code book, take their narration (spouse, parent, etc.)
• Click the blue cheque mark successful the precocious close country of the screen.
• Scroll up and enable Show When Locked if you privation exigency responders to entree it from the Lock Screen
• Tap the < arrow to exit.

Android

Settings whitethorn alteration depending connected your Android phone’s manufacturer.

• Open Settings
• Click Safety & emergency
• Tap Emergency contacts
• Add your information
• Click the back arrow > Enable Emergency SOS and Emergency Location Service

Smart location devices

How to acceptable up hands-free calling connected an Echo for your parents

• Have your genitor unfastened the Alexa app connected their iPhone oregon Android. If they aren't signed in, they'll request to log successful with their Amazon account.
• Look successful the bottom-right country of the surface and tap More.
• Tap "Communicate". This opens Alexa's calling and messaging hub.
• Tap "Call". If it's their archetypal clip utilizing Alexa calling, the app whitethorn inquire for permission: Allow entree to Contacts. Confirm their telephone fig (a verification codification volition beryllium sent).
• Tap Add Contact and fill successful the information. 
• Click Save. Your fig is present linked to their Alexa calling list.
• Test the setup. Have them say: "Echo, telephone [your name]."
• Their Echo talker should place the telephone hands-free.

If it doesn't, double-check: The interaction is saved. Their Echo instrumentality is connected to Wi-Fi. Calling is enabled nether Communicate settings.

Take my quiz: How harmless is your online security?

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Kurt's cardinal takeaways

Helping your parents with tech during the holidays creates little accent for them and less enactment calls for you later. It besides helps them enactment safer online astatine a clip erstwhile scams and threats turn much common. A tiny magnitude of setup present builds confidence, comfort, and transportation agelong aft the holidays end.

What is the 1 tech hole you privation your parents understood earlier the adjacent exigency hits? Let america cognize by penning to america at Cyberguy.com.

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