Common Black Friday & Cyber Monday Cyber Threats Explained

The holiday shopping season is here, and consumers worldwide are excited for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, eager to secure great discounts. But there's another, often overlooked, group that eagerly awaits this time of year: cybercriminals. Each year, these bad actors seemingly step up their game to capitalize on the flood of online shoppers, and the growing sophistication of cyber scams means anyone can be a potential target.

The Cyber Threat Landscape

In 2023, holiday online sales grew to approximately $221.1 billion, with cybercriminals closely tracking many transactions. Most alarmingly, bots and fake users comprised 35.7% of all online shoppers on Black Friday.

Interestingly, cybercriminals don't just prepare during the holiday season. Dark web searches for Black Friday-related keywords spike as early as January, with notable search activity observed in April, demonstrating year-round planning for holiday cyber attacks.

Top Cybersecurity Threats to Watch Out For

1.Phishing Attacks

Phishing remains one of the most prevalent online cybersecurity threats, with cybercriminals becoming increasingly sophisticated. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has allowed phishing attempts to appear more convincing than ever:

• AI-Powered Scam Content: Criminals now use advanced AI to create nearly undetectable fake emails and messages.
• Social Engineering Tactics: Scammers exploit urgency and emotional manipulation to trick victims.
• Fake Promotional Offers: Fraudulent emails mimic legitimate retailer communications.

2. Spoofed Websites

Cybercriminals have mastered the art of creating fake websites that look identical to legitimate retailers:

• Cloned Websites: Exact replicas of trusted online stores.
• Subtle URL Manipulations: Slight changes in domain names to trick users.
• Stolen Branding: Sophisticated copying of logos and site designs.

3. Malicious Advertising and E-Skimming

The advertising ecosystem becomes a weapon during the holiday shopping season:

• Malvertising: Malicious ads infiltrate legitimate websites.
• E-Skimming: Hackers inject code into payment pages to steal credit card information.
• Redirected Shopping Experiences: Users are unknowingly guided to fraudulent sites.

4. Credential Stuffing and Account Takeovers

Credential stuffing attacks use automated bots to access user accounts on e-commerce platforms by trying thousands of stolen usernames and passwords:

• Automated Bot Attacks: Hackers use bots to quickly test large numbers of credentials.
• Reused Passwords: The more people reuse passwords, the higher the success rate for attackers.
• Account Takeovers: Once inside an account, attackers can make purchases or access personal information for further exploitation.

How to Help Protect Yourself: A Few Cyber Defense Strategies

The following are a few ways you can help protect yourself:

1. Verify Website Authenticity

• Check for "https://" and the padlock icon in the address bar or double-line icon, in the case of Google Chrome.
• Verify exact URL spelling.
• Shop at trusted, well-known retailers.

2. Payment Protection

• Use credit cards over debit cards.
• Leverage digital wallets.
• Enable transaction alerts.

3. Account Security

• Use strong, unique passwords.
• Enable two-factor authentication.
• Monitor account activities regularly.

4. Technical Safeguards

• Update all devices and software.
• Avoid using public Wi-Fi for shopping.
• Use a VPN when necessary.

Final Thoughts

The holiday shopping season can be a high-stakes game of digital cat and mouse. By staying informed, practicing vigilance, and implementing robust security measures, you can help protect yourself from becoming a cybercrime statistic.

Remember: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Stay safe, shop smart, and enjoy the holiday season!

Looking to help ensure your organization is protected this holiday season?

Schedule a no-cost, no-obligation cyber risk consultation with Acrisure Cyber Services today. Our professionals can help your organization stay safe, secure, and resilient against the latest cyber scams.

Contact us at [email protected] or visit acrisure.com/cyber to learn more.