Cyber safety brand Norton has issued a warning to Australians who plan to spend big online on Black Friday and Cyber Monday to take even greater care as cybercriminals will be out in force setting digital traps.
Almost half of Australians (46 per cent) will take part in these major online shopping days and more than half (54 per cent) are worried about being scammed on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
The latest Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report says 70 per cent of Australians are looking for the better deals with 62 per cent of these admitting they are partial to a discount.
The Norton research showed that one in sixteen (6 per cent) admitted they would buy from a questionable website or third party seller to secure that bargain.
“Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer great opportunities to save, especially as many Australians are feeling the pressure of rising living costs,” says Mark Gorrie, Managing Director APAC for Norton.
“It’s expected that Aussies will spend over $6bn across this four-day shopping weekend.
“What’s concerning is that 1 in 16 shoppers admit they would take risks, like purchasing from questionable websites or third-party sellers, just to snag a bargain.
“Scammers know that in the rush to grab deals, people can overlook security. That’s when phishing emails, suspicious ads, and fraudulent websites become dangerous traps.
“It’s important to pause and think before giving out personal information or making a purchase that seems too good to be true.”
Cybercriminals know online shoppers are on the hunt for a bargain and they lay their traps in the form of malvertising and adware which increased dramatically during the holiday shopping season.
Norton says during this time last year there was an increase of more than 53 per cent in malvertising attacks, malicious ads which come up in user searches for sales.
As Aussie shoppers rush to grab online bargains, many are engaging in risky behaviours:
– 61 per cent of holiday shoppers have provided personal information to secure a discount, with the majority (91 per cent) sharing their email, 40 per cent sharing their phone number, and 17 per cent even giving their home address.
– 30 per cent of Australians are willing to spend more than 30 minutes searching for discount codes online, while 63 per cent have taken actions such as signing up for mailing lists, answering surveys, or liking posts to unlock discounts.
– 27 per cent of shoppers who have taken action to secure a discount even spend more than they originally planned to qualify for free delivery or an additional discount.
The research shows that 30 per cent of shoppers have made purchases after clicking through ads on social media with Facebook 59% and Instagram 41% being the most popular.
“While these ads can lead to great deals, they can also be a gateway for scammers, who target unsuspecting consumers with fake promotions and phishing sites,” Gorrie explained.
“We won’t just see scams and digital traps around shopping during this period. Scammers are smart and will find other ways to utilise this event, we will likely see an increase in Australia Post and delivery scams as a surge in online purchases happens. Aussies need to be vigilant across all digital activities.”
Here are Mark Gorrie’s top tips on how to prepare for Shopping events and defend against scams this holiday season:
– Watch out for fake stores – Scammers create convincing fake apps and websites. Only download apps from the Apple App Store or Google Play, and always type official URLs directly into your browser. Avoid clicking on shortened links or QR codes from unknown sources.
– Be cautious with marketplaces – Scammers are active on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, posing as buyers or sellers. Don’t send money before receiving goods and watch out for PayID scams.
– Don’t get phished – Avoid clicking on unsolicited links in texts, emails, or social media messages. If an offer catches your eye, search for the official site directly.
– Skip saving payment info – Avoid storing credit card details on websites. Share as little personal information as possible when shopping online.
– Use secure payment options – PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay add protection. Always shop on private networks, not public Wi-Fi. If you must use public Wi-Fi, secure your connection with a VPN, like Norton Ultra VPN.
– Update and differentiate your passwords for shopping sites before you start filling your cart. Shopping on password-protected sites can add a layer of protection but not if you use the same password for multiple sites. Don’t give thieves an easy way into your accounts. Keep track of passwords by using a password manager, such as Norton Password Manager.
– Use software and apps to fortify your defences – Install device protection software, such as Norton 360 Deluxe, to help protect and alert you of potential scams. Additionally, Norton Genie, a free AI-powered scam detection app, provides a fast, easy, and free way to check if something is a scam.
