Different Scams Impact Different Audiences, Which Means You Need to Prepare for All of Them

January 25, 2023

Back during the holiday season, the Federal Trade Commission shared some data that showed that members of Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z are all more likely to fall for online shopping scams than those over the age of 60…and not by a little, either. Those under that age are apparently 86 percent more likely to fall for these scams.

Let’s examine some of the findings of this report, and what they tell us about the state of cybersecurity.

Here’s the Hard Truth: Different Types of Scams are More Effective with Different Age Demographics

According to the FTC, scams are universally effective. However, one form of scam may be more effective to one generational subset, while another might impact a different one.

For instance, the FTC’s research saw that younger generations were far more prone to online shopping fraud, investment scams, and job scams. Meanwhile, older generations were more successfully targeted by tech support scams and sweepstakes scams.

It also needs to be said that different scam victims are frequently targeted using different means, as well. Younger Millennials and members of Generation Z are frequently successfully targeted by scams that begin on social media, while Generation X and Baby Boomers are frequently victimized by phone scams.

It Doesn’t Matter What Age Someone Is, They’re Just as Vulnerable to Cyberattacks and Scams

With so many scams out there, utilizing different mediums and platforms to target their intended victims, it’s important that everyone is prepared to spot potential threats and react to them appropriately…and this is all the more important in the business.

Fortunately, businesses in Northern Virginia can turn to the professionals at First Column IT for assistance in preparing their teams to deal with assorted cybersecurity threats. Give us a call at (571) 470-5594 to learn more about our cybersecurity services.

‍

How Manufacturing IT Prevents Pricey Maintenance and Repair

Manufacturing equipment costs a pretty penny, so you naturally expect it to drive profits and yield a return on investment. Yet, how often do these machines break down and cost you more than they should? By the time the red light turns on that tells you something’s wrong, you’ve already wasted precious time that you could have been saving with proactive, preventative maintenance.

November 24, 2025

How to Keep Your IT From Holding You Back

Many businesses think of IT as nothing but an expense, often represented by losses on your budgeting reports. You might dump countless dollars into your IT only for it to eat it all up without providing any discernible return on investment. Here’s the truth about IT: when it’s managed properly, it can represent opportunity and investment rather than expense.

November 22, 2025

The Endpoint: Your Network's First Line of Defense

We see the endpoint—that includes every laptop, desktop, server, mobile device, and IoT gadget connected to your network—as the front line of your defense. Failing to secure every single one of these points is not just a risk; it's an invitation. You need to identify all the endpoints on your network and work to secure them. Here’s why, and how.