Shop till you drop while staying protected from scams this Black Friday
The Black Friday week is undeniably the best time to shop, grab great deals, and perhaps save a few bucks. But this is only until you lose more than you bargained for; your personal data, payment details, or even your hard-earned money, to a well-crafted cyber attack.
As eagerly as you’re waiting for Black Friday, the truth is, this is also the best time for cybercriminals to capitalize on your excitement and sense of urgency.
They know you’d be tempted by flash sales, limited-time deals, and exclusive coupons, so they run phishing email campaigns, create fake shopping sites, and malicious ads that look just like the real thing to make you click without thinking twice. That’s why it is just as important to stay wary and safe as it is to find the best bargains during Black Friday.
In this article, we will learn how you can get the best of both worlds—shop till you drop while staying protected.
Common scams to watch out for this Black Friday
It goes without saying that you get the best deals around Black Friday, but the dark side of it is that it opens the door to several scams and cyber threats. During this shopping frenzy, attackers count on unsuspecting users being in a hurry and not checking before they check out, and that’s exactly when they strike, stealing your money, personal details, or even your account passwords before you realize what’s happened.
Here are some of the most common cyber attacks that you must look out for this Black Friday:
Phishing emails disguised as retailers
These attackers know that you won’t miss a single opportunity to get the best deals on your favorite brands, which is why they pretend to be them. This is one of the most prevalent scams during the Black Friday season.
They send emails that look like they’re from trusted retailers with the same logo, brand colors, and narrative style, which makes it all look legitimate. To add to this, they also create a sense of urgency by including links to “exclusive deals” or “early access” sales that lead to fake websites designed to steal your login credentials or payment information. Strengthening your email security is essential to protect yourself from these types of attacks.
Fake websites
Another common scam you might encounter this season is fake shopping websites that look as real as legitimate ones. Just as they mimic the brand’s style in a phishing email, these attackers take the art of deception a step further by building entire websites that copy real stores with the same layout, colors, and even product listings.
The only difference that you might even miss out on is the web address. The web address is often just a single letter or character off from the genuine one. The primary goal of these fraudulent websites is to trick you into entering your personal details, like your card details or login credentials. As soon as you enter these details, they go directly into the hands of cybercriminals, who can misuse them for unauthorized transactions or identity theft.
Fake delivery and tracking notifications
The cyberattacks don’t stop at shopping, but continue even after you have checked out. Once you have placed the order, the threat actors know that you’ll be eagerly waiting for your order to be delivered, and that’s when they strike again.
With fake delivery and tracking details, attackers trick you into clicking malicious links, entering payment or identity information, or downloading malware. These emails or messages aren’t always straightforward like “track your order here”; sometimes, they also pressure you with urgent language, such as “delivery failed” or “confirm address within 1 hour”, to make you act without thinking.
How can you stay ahead of these threats?
Such grave threats looming around shouldn’t stop you from making the best of the sale season. You can absolutely shop smarter and stay alert by simply taking a few precautions.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways to stay protected during this time:
Verify the link before you click
We understand that you might be tempted to grab the best deals out there, but it’s always a good idea to verify the legitimacy of the link you’re about to open. To do so, you can hover over the URL and get a glimpse of the website. If the link looks suspicious, misspelled, or doesn’t match the retailer’s official domain, don’t click it.
Shop only from trusted websites
During the Black Friday season, you might come across so many offers that you might be tempted to give in. Remember, not all of them are there to help you save money; some of them are designed to steal it from you. As you know, cybercriminals create fake websites that look exactly like real ones, using familiar logos, layouts, and even writing fake customer reviews to make them appear legitimate. So, before buying anything, check the web address carefully. Make sure it starts with https:// and has the correct spelling of the brand name.
Use secure payment methods
While shopping online, make sure that you only use reliable payment methods. Even if you are using payment wallets, stick to trusted ones like PayPal, Google Pay, or Apple Pay. These methods often come with built-in fraud protection and make it easier to get your money back if something goes wrong. Also, try to avoid paying through links sent in emails, messages, or social media; those can be fake.
To sum up
It is easy to give in to the urge of clicking on every deal you come across during this shopping season, but if you’re not cognizant, you might end up losing not just money but also sensitive information into the hands of malicious attackers. As a shopper, it is important that you shop smart and take a step back if you spot any red flags.
As a brand, you must ensure that your domain is secure so that attackers cannot spoof it and dupe your customers. If you want to know how to go about it, get in touch with us today!