The future of hacking in 2025: how AI is redefining cybersecurity threats for seniors

The world of cybersecurity has changed dramatically, with artificial intelligence becoming part of hackers' toolkits. What once required technical expertise is now accessible to anyone with AI tools. In 2025, even careful internet users — especially seniors — find themselves vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated scams that can bypass traditional security measures.

The rise of AI-powered hacking means we need to change how we protect ourselves online. The old approach of generally trusting communications and occasionally verifying them has been replaced by a "zero-trust" mindset, where even messages that appear to be from family members should be independently verified. As seniors navigate retirement in this digital age, understanding today's cyber threats becomes essential for protecting personal information and finances.

This second part of the two-part article examines more of the top cybersecurity threats of 2025 that specifically target seniors and provides practical protective strategies you can implement at home.

Supply Chain Attacks Through Home Devices

The Threat

Your home is likely filled with connected devices — smart TVs, security cameras, voice assistants, and perhaps even smart appliances. Each of these creates a potential entry point for hackers. The 2024 Roku smart TV incident demonstrated this vulnerability when hackers compromised the update system, using it to access connected home networks and steal personal information from thousands of senior households.

These "supply chain" attacks target weaknesses in trusted products or services to gain access to your home network. Because these attacks use legitimate devices you already trust, they're particularly difficult to detect until significant harm has occurred.

Other examples include compromised smart speakers being used to eavesdrop on conversations and hacked security cameras providing criminals with information about your daily routines and when your home is empty.

Defensive Measures

1. Secure your home WiFi: Use a strong password for your network and change the default administrator password on your router. Consider setting up a guest network for smart devices, separating them from the network you use for banking and personal information.
2. Update or replace older smart devices: Many older connected devices no longer receive security updates. If a device hasn't been updated in over a year, consider replacing it with a newer model from reputable brands like Apple, Google, or Amazon.
3. Review privacy settings: For each smart device, go through the privacy settings and disable any data collection features you don't need. Limit microphone and camera access when possible.
4. Unplug devices when not in use: For devices like smart speakers, consider unplugging them when you're having private conversations or when you'll be away from home for extended periods.
5. Consider a home network security device: Products like Bitdefender Box or Firewalla provide comprehensive protection for all devices on your home network.

The Growing Threat of DeepFakes

The Threat

AI-generated deepfakes have become incredibly sophisticated, creating convincing audio, video, and images that are nearly impossible to distinguish from real content. For seniors, this technology enables particularly effective scams.

"Grandparent scams" have been enhanced with deepfake technology, where criminals create convincing video calls that appear to show grandchildren in distress, requesting financial help for emergencies. In one notable case from late 2024, a retired teacher lost $15,000 after receiving what appeared to be a video call from her grandson claiming he was in jail and needed bail money.

Beyond financial scams, deepfakes are used to create false videos of doctors giving harmful medical advice, fake notifications about changes to Medicare or Social Security, and even to impersonate neighbors or community members requesting access to homes.

Defensive Measures

1. Establish verification codes with family members: Create secret phrases or questions that only real family members would know — something that wouldn't be available on social media or in data breaches.
2. Be suspicious of unexpected video calls: If you receive an unexpected video call from a family member in distress, ask them questions only the real person would know. If something feels off, hang up and call them back on their known number.
3. Use video call verification features:

- FaceTime (Apple): Note that the caller's Apple ID appears at the top of the screen

- Google Meet: Look for the verified account checkmark

- Zoom: Enable waiting rooms and passwords for all calls

4. Limit public information: Review privacy settings on social media accounts and consider what personal information, photos, and videos you share publicly that could be used to create convincing deepfakes.
5. Trust your instincts: If something feels wrong during a call — unusual requests, pressure to act quickly, or subtle differences in appearance or voice — trust that feeling and take time to verify through other channels.

The Future of Cybersecurity: Password Protection in the Quantum Era

The Threat

While still developing, quantum computing represents a future threat to the passwords and security measures we rely on today. As these powerful computers advance, they'll eventually be able to break common password protections that secure everything from email accounts to online banking.

This might sound like science fiction, but preparation should begin now. Some security experts warn that hackers are already collecting encrypted data, planning to decrypt it once quantum computing becomes more accessible — a strategy known as "harvest now, decrypt later."

For seniors managing retirement accounts, health records, and other sensitive information online, this emerging threat deserves attention.

Defensive Measures

1. Use a password manager: Applications like LastPass, 1Password, or the free Bitwarden can generate and store complex, unique passwords for all your accounts. You'll only need to remember one master password.
2. Make passwords longer, not just complex: Length matters more than complexity. Consider using passphrases — strings of random words like "correct-horse-battery-staple" — which are easier to remember but much harder to crack.
3. Enable two-factor authentication everywhere possible: Major services including:

- Gmail and Google accounts

- Facebook and Instagram

- Amazon

- Online banking

- Medicare.gov

- Social Security website

All offer this additional layer of protection.

4. Regularly update important passwords: Change passwords for financial accounts, email, and medical portals every 3-6 months.
5. Consider biometric options where available: Fingerprint and face recognition on smartphones and newer computers provide strong security without the need to remember passwords.

The cybersecurity landscape of 2025 requires seniors to adopt new approaches to staying safe online. While AI has made scams more sophisticated, it has also improved the tools available to protect yourself.

Adopting a cautious, "zero-trust" approach is essential in today's digital world. Always verify unexpected requests, limit what personal information you share online, and keep your devices and software updated.

Most importantly, don't feel that you need to face these challenges alone. Reach out to family members, local senior centers, or community college technology classes designed for seniors. Many public libraries offer free tech help sessions specifically focused on cybersecurity for older adults.

By understanding these evolving threats and implementing the defensive measures suggested, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of our connected world — staying in touch with family, managing finances online, and accessing information — while protecting yourself from those who would exploit these technologies for harm.

Remember: when it comes to your online security, it's better to take an extra minute to verify than to spend months recovering from a successful scam.