Consumers are shoring up their cash for Black Friday on 29 November, which is expected to generate more in sales than last year’s figure of R26,6-billion.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the US shopping tradition arriving in South Africa and retailers are gearing up for a spike in sales ahead of Christmas. But just because there are plenty of good deals on offer shouldn’t mean that you drop your guard as far as cybersecurity is concerned, warns Anna Collard, senior vice-president of content strategy and evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are eagerly anticipated by South African consumers every year who know they can expect a good deal on anything from electronics to clothing and home appliances. This year consumers are expected to spend around R5 000 on Black Friday deals, with most of those sales taking place online.
Cybercriminals on the prowl
But especially because there are so many mouthwatering deals we have to be extra vigilant, says Collard. “Cybercriminals know that people are less cautious during these events, making it an ideal time for attacks,” she comments.
Due to the increase in online shopping over the Black Friday/Cyber Monday period, it’s understandable that cybercriminals are out to make a quick buck. “Cybercriminals always go where there’s a lot of traffic because they can trap more people that way,” Collard asserts. “On top of that, shoppers face a flood of special offers which heightens their sense of urgency and fear of missing out (FOMO). This excitement can lead people to take risks they normally wouldn’t, such as clicking on unfamiliar links or ignoring warning signs.”
Tactics that cybercriminals use
The fact that many consumers will be buying on their cell phones using mobile payment methods also opens up the field for attack, she says. The most common ways in which cybercriminals prey on victims during Black Friday are phishing emails, fake ads on social media and counterfeit websites.
“Cybercriminals are experts at exploiting people’s susceptibility to manipulation and social engineering,” states Collard. “They exploit our distracted minds with too-good-to-be-true offers, fake online adverts, phishing emails, bogus websites and even fake apps. Apart from the typical scams, they might also embed malware in their fake sites, apps or downloadable shopping tools which can infect devices and steal your data.”
Red flags to watch out for
Collard believes it’s a good idea to check out good promotions before rushing to cash in. “Always verify the authenticity of deals first before committing to buy,” she advises. A tip she recommends is checking out the URL of the site. “Look for small spelling mistakes, extra characters or domain changes, such as .net instead of .com, that indicate it’s not the original site,” she says.
Another precaution is to look for secure payment methods. “Genuine websites should offer trusted payment options” You can also verify the retailer’s contact information to confirm that they’re legitimate.
Too good to be true?
A further piece of advice is to be suspicious if a product’s price is unbelievably low. “If a deal seems unusually low or is only available through a specific link, be cautious – it might be a scam,” cautions Collard.
She advises that consumers stick to trusted retailers over the Black Friday/Cyber Monday period. “Avoid clicking on links in emails or ads from unfamiliar sources and instead go directly to known retailers’ websites by manually typing in their website or bookmarking these sites,” she says.
Another good idea is to use a virtual credit card. “Many banks offer virtual or single-use credit card numbers, adding an extra layer of protection.” You can also limit sharing your personal information by not saving your credit card details on retail websites.
Finally, she believes taking a break to think might be the best approach of all. “If you feel the urge to make a snap decision, pause. Take a few seconds to double-check links and offers, which can help you avoid impulsive, potentially dangerous clicks,” she concludes.