Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association

26/07/2026

Technology and Ageing

22/07/2026

Apple is offering a free webcast next week demonstrating Apple's newest accessibility features (thanks to Julie Nixon for letting me know about this).

"Join us to learn how Apple products can be used to connect, create, and do what you love. During the event, you will hear from our speakers and see demonstrations of our newest accessibility features and enhancements. We will showcase powerful new ways to customise your experience, including personalising your display, where users can tint or darken icons and reduce motion to suit their needs.

We will also explore deep updates to Vehicle Motion Cues and Music Haptics, and preview new tools including Accessibility Reader, Braille Access, Live Listen with Apple Watch, and Accessibility Nutrition Labels."

22/07/2026

Congratulations to Natika on yesterday's Club Forum webinar, where 20 participants had a lively and engaging discussion of digital health and wellbeing apps. I discovered the Safety & Emergency setting on my Android phone, and installed two more apps (Insight Timer app for meditation, Amcal Pharmacy app for managing prescriptions). Here's another free meditation app worth exploring: Healthy Minds Program from Humin. To find out about future Club Forums:

ASCCA Clubs Forums are a bi-monthly opportunity for ASCCA to connect to Clubs and Seniors all around Australia to share knowledge and practical tips on how to use technology.

20/07/2026

Technology and Ageing

15/07/2026

Connected. Confident. Independent.

Technology is no longer a luxury—it's a key enabler of independence for older Australians.

With more than 4.8 million Australians aged 65+, digital confidence is becoming essential for accessing healthcare, government services, banking and staying connected with family and community.

At ASCCA, we believe digital inclusion is about more than technology. It's about empowering older Australians with the confidence, skills and support to participate fully in today's digital world.

When seniors are connected, they're more confident. And when they're confident, they remain independent.
https://ascca.org.au/blog/technology-and-seniors-july-2026/

12/07/2026

On Monday 27 July the Australian Government will conduct a nationwide test of AusAlert, the new national emergency warning system. Your mobile device will emit a loud, siren-like sound and vibrate for about 10 seconds. This will happen at 2 pm AEST (NSW, ACT, Vic, Qld, Tas) 1:30 pm ACST (SA, NT) and 12 pm (WA).

You don't need to do anything, it's just a test to validate the system. If you don't want to hear the sound you can switch your device to airplane mode or turn it off during the test time.

AusAlert is a new national warning system that uses the latest technology to send emergency messages to compatible mobile devices.

09/07/2026

If you access YouTube through the DuckDuckGo web browser, it blocks the ads:

DuckDuckGo’s browser can now block most video ads on YouTube, although users may see longer buffering times or occasional hiccups.

04/07/2026

For those of us who watch the news and worry about the state of the world, this free World Monitor website collates data (shipping, flights, satellites, submarine cables, data centres, ransomware, fire detection, markets, conflict, and more) into one 2D map or 3D globe.

The world's raw signals — ships, jets, sirens, cables, markets — on one free live intelligence map, with AI that flags when they converge. Free, no signup.

28/06/2026

Stay Safe Online: Cyber Security Starts with You

As more of our daily lives move online, knowing how to stay safe has never been more important. Whether you're banking, shopping, connecting with family or accessing government services, a few simple habits can help protect your personal information.

Australians lost more than $2 billion to cybercrime in 2024, with older Australians continuing to be targeted by scams, phishing emails, fake text messages and phone calls. Cyber criminals are also using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make scams look more convincing than ever before.

Here are a few simple ways to stay protected:
✅ Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
✅ Never click on suspicious links in emails or text messages.
✅ Keep your devices and apps updated.
✅ Be cautious of unexpected phone calls asking for personal or banking details.
✅ If something doesn't feel right, stop, check and ask someone you trust.

At ASCCA, we believe digital confidence is just as important as digital access. By learning how to recognise online threats, older Australians can continue enjoying the benefits of technology safely, confidently and independently.

Stay connected. Stay informed. Stay cyber safe.

27/06/2026

If you still have a Windows 10 laptop or desktop , you might like to know that Microsoft's Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 have been extended to 12 October 2027. This means that your Windows 10 device will continue to receive critical security updates during this period. You do need to pay a small fee for this service.

Perhaps Microsoft is doing this because 26% of their users are still running Window 10!

(Thanks to Geoff Nash from Computer Pals for Seniors The Hills for pointing this out.)

Use Windows 10 securely with the Extended Security Updates program. See how it helps protect your PC and find out how to get it.