Secure Your Bargains: Essential Tips for Staying Cyber Safe During Black Friday Sales

By Darren Guccione, CEO and Co-founder, Keeper Security 

Originating in the United States, Black Friday has evolved into a global shopping sensation eagerly anticipated worldwide. Southeast Asia is no exception, with shoppers eager to secure amazing deals and discounts on a wide range of products. Research shows that 80% of Southeast Asians hold off on purchases until Black Friday, with 70% preferring e-commerce platforms for the convenience and accessibility they offer.

However, as online shopping grows in popularity, so do the risks of cybercrime and online scams.

E-Commerce Cybercrime is On the Up

As shoppers hunt for the best deals, your personal and financial information could be at risk. Cybercriminals are skilled at creating sophisticated phishing schemes, malicious websites and using other tactics to steal sensitive data, leaving shoppers vulnerable to identity theft and financial fraud. In Singapore, e-commerce scams more than doubled in 2023, reaching nearly 9,800 cases, compared to 4,762 the previous year. The nation also reported losses of about S$5.8 million to e-commerce scams in 2021, underscoring the need for vigilance when shopping online.

Common tactics include:

• Phishing Attacks: Fraudulent emails, text messages or social media messages impersonate e-commerce platforms to trick shoppers into providing login credentials or other sensitive information.
• Malicious Websites and Ads: Hackers may create fake e-commerce sites or plant malicious ads to infect devices or redirect users to phishing pages.
• Fake Discounts and Counterfeit Products: Scammers may promote fake deals or sell counterfeit goods, taking payments without delivering the items.
• Public Wi-Fi Vulnerabilities: Using unsecured public Wi-Fi during Black Friday shopping can expose devices and data to cyber attacks.

Recognising these common cyber threats is the first step in helping Southeast Asian shoppers protect themselves online.

Tips for Staying Cyber-Safe on Black Friday

Cybercriminals continually develop new methods, such as ransomware, malware, email compromises and falsified QR codes, to deceive shoppers. To stay safe, consider these best practices:

• Be Wary of “Too Good to be True” Deals: Cybercriminals often send emails and texts enticing consumers with unbelievable deals. These often link to fraudulent websites mimicking legitimate retailers. Always check the sender’s email and verify URLs before visiting any online retailer. Watch for messages with typos, unrealistic offers or urgent requests, as these are common indicators of scams.
• Shop Only on Official Apps and Websites: Scammers frequently create fake websites that mimic legitimate ones. Avoid clicking on third-party links and messages, and shop directly through official e-commerce apps or websites. Be cautious of misleading advertisements in search results that may link to spoofed sites. For example, the URL www.shopee.com could be changed slightly to www.sh0pee.com on a dangerous, phoney website.
• Use Strong and Unique Passwords: Every account should have its own strong password – ideally at least 16 characters with a mix of letters, numbers and symbols. Reusing passwords across accounts is risky: if a cybercriminal gains access to one account, they may also be able to access others using the same password. Using a password manager can simplify this by generating, storing and autofilling unique passwords across accounts, while also alerting you if you’re on a spoofed site.
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adding MFA provides an extra layer of security, requiring multiple verification methods for account access. Even if a password is compromised, MFA can still block unauthorised access. A password manager can also store and autofill MFA codes.

Stay Safe and Enjoy the Shopping Experience

By following these cybersecurity best practices, shoppers can dive into the Black Friday shopping frenzy with peace of mind. Staying vigilant and proactive is key to ensuring a safe and rewarding shopping experience.