Proxyware and LeadingAge Virginia Partner to Protect You from Rising Cybercrime

Virginians are facing a new kind of threat that does not come from the physical world but from cyberspace. With scams, phishing attempts, and AI-driven fraud on the rise, the population most vulnerable to these attacks is increasingly seniors. Proxyware, a cybersecurity company specializing in crime prevention, is teaming up with LeadingAge Virginia to address this challenge.

The partnership builds on a pilot program that quietly demonstrated how urgent the problem has become. Proxyware’s system, installed in retirement communities across the state, intercepted nearly 16 million attacks in 2024. That number underscored both the determination of cybercriminals and the potential of new technology to stop them.

“Older adults deserve not just physical safety, but digital safety as well,” said Melissa Andrews, president and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia. “Proxyware has created a technology that doesn’t just react to cyberthreats, it preemptively diverts and dismantles them before they can reach our communities. As a nonprofit network that prioritizes dignity, independence, and well-being for aging populations, we believe Proxyware represents a vital step forward.”

Decoys That Disarm Criminals

Proxyware’s approach is unconventional. Instead of merely blocking suspicious activity, it deploys digital decoys that mimic vulnerable targets. These false identities lure attackers and divert their malicious activity away from real users. The decoys also generate intelligence that can be shared with security teams and law enforcement.

One LeadingAge Virginia member said the difference was tangible. “It brings peace of mind not just to older adults, but also to their families and caregivers,” the executive explained, pointing to a sharp decline in phishing attempts and scams targeting residents.

From Virginia to the Nation

Proxyware and LeadingAge Virginia are treating this as a model for the rest of the country. Plans are underway to expand into senior housing, assisted living facilities, and digital literacy programs nationwide. The effort combines three pillars: extending protection, educating residents on cyber hygiene, and advocating for preventive technologies rather than reactive ones.

Proxyware founder Chris Olson framed the initiative as part of a broader cultural shift in how elder care is defined. “We are honored to have LeadingAge Virginia’s support in this effort,” Olson said. “They understand the urgent need to protect older Virginians in a rapidly evolving digital world from targeted AI-based scams to Medicare fraud to tech support scams. Together, we can make digital safety a standard of care in every senior living community.”

A New Standard of Care

Cybercrime aimed at seniors has surged in recent years, from fraudulent investment schemes to phishing attacks designed to extract Social Security or Medicare information. The partnership between Proxyware and LeadingAge Virginia reflects growing recognition that digital safety must be woven into the same care framework as physical health and housing security.

If successful, the program could become a template for how technology firms, nonprofits, and public agencies collaborate to protect one of the most targeted populations online.