Caution against counterfeit websites mimicking Black Friday discounts and promotions
Cybersecurity Threats during Black Friday
Cybersecurity researchers have identified a group of scammers operating fake websites that offer Black Friday discounts on popular brands. The group, known as SilkSpecter, targets consumers in the US and Europe by creating phishing sites that mimic legitimate companies. These sites offer steep discounts of up to 80%, enticing shoppers during the high online shopping activity of November.
Protecting Your Data and Verifying Websites
When unsuspecting shoppers visit these fraudulent websites, tools like Meta and TikTok pixels are used to customize the site based on the user’s location and language preferences. To further appear legitimate, these sites utilize the Stripe payment platform to collect credit card information. However, this sensitive data is then transmitted to external servers controlled by the scammers. This information can be used for future attacks, compromising accounts with multi-factor authentication and accessing sensitive data.
As online shopping scams increase during the holiday season, it is crucial for consumers to take precautions recommended by organizations such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Updating devices, using strong passwords, and verifying the legitimacy of websites are essential steps to protect against cyber threats.
