Understanding and Mitigating Social Engineering Attacks to Elderly People: A Comprehensive Survey of Methods, Impacts, and Future Solutions

Social engineering attacks are a serious risk to senior citizens because they take advantage of their weaknesses, which include social isolation, low technical skills, and a tendency for trust. This analysis looks at both technical and non-technical social engineering attack tactics used to target elderly people. The study investigates and shows serious consequences of social engineering attacks on senior citizens, including monetary losses, data breaches, harm to one’s reputation, psychological effects etc. It also discusses the significance of using non-technical tactics like education and awareness campaigns along with technological solutions like artificial intelligence and machine learning as solutions. This survey highlights that to improve elderly individuals, protection and well-being, strong social networks, awareness training, and ongoing research are essential. By integrating technological advancements with educational initiatives and community support, we can significantly reduce the vulnerability of elderly individuals to social engineering attacks.