Protect a parent’s or grandparent’s phone in one sitting

One quiet hour with an elder’s phone prevents most of the trouble that reaches them. Do these together, not for them.

• Set a screen lock they can manage: a PIN they will remember, or their fingerprint.
• Turn on two step verification in WhatsApp, and show them the setting so it is not magic.
• Enable the phone’s spam and caller ID protection for calls and messages.
• Remove apps they do not use, and check what permissions the rest have.
• Save 1930 in their contacts as Cyber fraud helpline, and your own number as their first call.
• Teach one sentence until it is reflex: no one genuine ever asks for an OTP.
• Sit with them while they do one real task themselves: a recharge, a bill, a video call. Confidence is the best protection of all.