WHILE purchasing online for the best deals makes life simpler or easier, it is important to note that online shopping comes with the threat of online shopping scams, and on Black Friday, digital consumers are at a higher risk than usual. With the enormous increase in online commerce and remote working since the global pandemic, consumers should be particularly aware of Black Friday online threats this year.
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Cybersecurity experts at Kaspersky Lab, which is a multinational cybersecurity and anti-virus provider, offered a guide to shopping safely and securely online during Black Friday.
The best way to stay secure when you’re shopping online this holiday season is by knowing what cyber threats are out there and some of the telltale signs that you’re in danger of falling victim to them when shopping online.
Black Friday phishing scams
A consistently popular technique used by cybercriminals all over the world, phishing – often referred to as a phishing scam – is a cybercrime that all digital consumers should be on the lookout for in the lead-up to Black Friday and all year round. As phishing techniques have become more sophisticated, cybersecurity experts have noticed an equal rise in the number of scams that require the user to input their personal data via a link to a fraudulent website, often disguised to look like a large retailer’s official webpage. This is so the online scammer can steal your information for identity fraud or steal your credit card data.
The most common Black Friday Phishing scams to watch out for consist of:
Fake-order phishing
As the name suggests, this type of threat involves the phisher sending you (by text or by email) a fake notification saying there has been a problem with your order – even when you haven’t ordered anything. These messages usually require you to click on a link to a fake website where you will be prompted to enter sensitive information for ‘confirmation’, but your data will be collected by the attacker.
The same technique is used with online-order confirmation forms and notifications. In some cases, you might even receive a fake confirmation message via phone, text or email. In all cases, you will be informed that you’ve been charged the incorrect amount and that you should follow a link or go to a certain website to cancel your order. But when you call/click on the link, a fraudulent website or phishers will attempt to collect your credentials or sensitive information. The scammers also can send you fake notifications about problems with the delivery of your package.
In rare cases, you may be asked to download an attachment from a phishing email and return it with your information to fulfil the cancellation. Beware, not only is the form fake but the downloaded file may also contain other forms of malware that could infect your system.
Website spoofing
In recent years, scammers and cybercriminals alike have gone to great lengths to create fully functioning fraudulent websites in order to fraud online consumers. These fake websites may look remarkably similar to their genuine counterparts, with very subtle differences in both the design and the URL structure.
In the holiday rush or in a sales period, these subtle differences often are missed. However, such carelessness can cost the user the loss of his personal data and financial resources. Remember, if you’ve unknowingly made an online purchase from a fake website, you are a victim of financial fraud. You should immediately report it to your bank and file a complaint with the relevant supervisory authorities.
Fake charity
Equally, cybercriminals have been known to take advantage of the season of giving by creating fake websites and social media campaigns under the guise of a charitable organisation. In some cases, these fake organisations may even try to contact you directly, in the form of a spam email or text message, asking for donations to be sent digitally, so be careful to research your chosen charity thoroughly before you transfer any money.
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