Tim (@timheuer) on X (original) (raw)
šØāš» Developer Experience at Microsoft / š“āāļø Cyclist
everywhere

Last night I watched an elderly fam member navigate her iPhone for āimportant things and emailsā. She is 96 and holding on to be tech relevant. Here is what I observed⦠š§µ
I thought we had no head count.
Replying to @timheuer
11-It was painful to watch as a software person. And as a concerned fan member seeing her as a prime target. For sure she will click the one link thatās going to leave her vulnerable or sheāll supply info to the wrong person.

Replying to @timheuer
2-if there was any type of engagement button she clicked it. Yes she is a MASSIVE scam target. I believe she likely may already be a small victim and doesnāt know it yet.
Replying to @timheuer
1-If anything looked like a link in email she clicked it. Often this would draft a new message. When I looked at her phone she had about 57 drafts. She assumed things that looked like links were pictures someone was sending
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5-she thinks anything in the inbox is legit mail. Her email is a small local provider still using POP mail. Virtually every spam is getting through. And she pays $6/mo for this. I told her just get Gmail.
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3-Temu has her as deeply engaged. Her inbox was half Temu mails encouraging her to get discounts and credits. She clicked EVERY one of them. The little āspin for discountā games, etc. in her eyes she was getting $300 credits and 99% off. She shops there a ton now
Replying to @timheuer
4-the PayPal invoice scams were all over her inbox. Some were docusign combined. She was clicking and starting the process before I caught her on those. She said she didnāt remember Norton purchase for $399 and wanted to verify. š¬
Sure Iāll go into the office once a week. Immediately loses an hour of productivity.

Replying to @timheuer
7-another āimportantā mail was a shipping notification from Amazon. When she clicked she had to login and they sent an email verification for 2fa. She didnāt understand that and was entering credit card, passwords, phone in the text box for the code š³
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6-her doctor appt sent test result via app (email with button click to patient portal or app). She wanted to know how to print. I asked if her printer was WiFiā¦her:š¶. She wanted to know how to send to her doctor. The app provided no info for this
Replying to @timheuer
8-the concept of WiFi versus mobile data is totally lost. She was driving back (few states away) and wanted to be sure she could check this very important email. Nothing was working off WiFi.
I donāt want to see anyone making fun of MSFT executives doing weird conference things ever again.

Replying to @timheuer
8b-her password was wrong (no notification other than in email settings section of iOS) and roaming data was off. Try explaining roaming data to a 96yo
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