Cyber defence for Black Friday

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Garith Peck | Managing Executive | Cybersecurity | BCX | mail me |


As Black Friday approaches, millions of consumers prepare for one of the busiest shopping days of the year. The excitement of discounts and limited-time deals drives online shopping. However, this also creates an opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit the surge in activity.

Phishing and social engineering attacks become more prevalent during this period. Cybercriminals take advantage of heightened urgency. These attacks target both individuals and businesses, making it crucial for organisations to reassess their cybersecurity strategies.

To mitigate these risks, businesses must adopt advanced detection tools, artificial intelligence (AI), and continuous employee training as part of their defence strategy.

Understanding phishing and social engineering

Phishing and social engineering may seem familiar, but they have grown increasingly sophisticated. Phishing involves cybercriminals impersonating trusted entities to trick victims into revealing sensitive data like login credentials or payment details. These attacks often come in the form of emails that spoof trusted senders, use fake domains, and apply urgency to prompt recipients to click on malicious links or download harmful attachments.

Social engineering manipulates human psychology to gain unauthorised access to data or systems. Attackers might pose as customer service representatives, delivery agents, or colleagues, exploiting cognitive biases to coerce victims into sharing confidential information.

Social engineering methods like vishing, smishing, and pretexting are designed to manipulate victims into bypassing security protocols.

The growing sophistication of attacks

Phishing and social engineering attacks have evolved dramatically. Cybercriminals increasingly use AI to automate and personalise their attacks, making them harder to detect.

AI tools scrape public data from social media profiles, websites, and company databases to craft emails tailored to individuals. Additionally, natural language generation (NLG) allows attackers to mimic the tone of colleagues or executives, making phishing attempts seem more legitimate.

Deepfake technology is now used in vishing attacks. Deepfakes – synthetic audio or video recordings, impersonate executives or company leaders. A CEO was tricked into authorising a significant wire transfer after being deceived by a voice clone.

High-profile incidents, like the 2016 Bangladesh Bank heist, highlight the devastating potential of social engineering. In South Africa, the 2023 South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) report revealed a 45% increase in digital banking fraud, much of which was linked to phishing and social engineering scams.

Black Friday – a perfect storm for cybercrime

Black Friday offers the perfect environment for cybercriminals to launch phishing and social engineering attacks. The high volume of transactions and urgency make consumers more likely to overlook basic security precautions.

Phishing emails may appear as notifications about limited-time offers, fake shipping updates, or payment confirmations, urging recipients to act quickly. Attackers often use typo-squatting to create fraudulent websites with domain names resembling legitimate retailers’ websites. Shoppers may fail to spot misspelt URLs, inadvertently leading them to malicious sites designed to steal personal information.

Vishing and smishing attacks are also more prevalent during Black Friday. Attackers impersonating customer service agents, delivery personnel, or even bank officials may contact consumers via phone or SMS, requesting payment details or account information. With the increased volume of online interactions, these attacks are more likely to succeed, especially when consumers are distracted or pressured to complete transactions quickly.

Organisations must be prepared for this surge in online threats by implementing real-time transaction monitoring and anomaly detection systems to spot suspicious patterns. With so many consumers shopping at once, businesses must act swiftly to prevent fraud, minimise financial losses, and safeguard their reputations.

Enhancing security posture

To counter phishing and social engineering, businesses must adopt a multi-layered cybersecurity approach.

Below are key strategies:

  • AI-powered threat detection

Investing in AI-driven threat detection systems is critical. These systems analyse large volumes of data to identify phishing emails in real time by recognising suspicious sender addresses, unusual email content, and embedded malicious links. Advanced email filtering systems using protocols such as DMARC, SPF, and DKIM can also prevent email spoofing and domain impersonation.

  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Enforcing MFA, especially for high-risk accounts like email or financial systems, is essential. MFA adds protection, ensuring that even if login credentials are compromised, attackers cannot access systems without another form of verification, such as a mobile code. Our Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions allow seamless MFA across cloud platforms and VPNs, reducing credential stuffing attacks.

  • Employee security awareness

Regular employee training is vital to combat social engineering attacks. Training programmes should focus on identifying phishing emails, vishing calls, and smishing messages. Simulated phishing exercises can reinforce security awareness and improve response times when employees encounter suspicious communications.

  • Endpoint security

Organisations must ensure that all devices, especially those used for remote work, are secured with endpoint protection solutions. These solutions detect and block malware, enforce timely security patches, and limit access to sensitive systems, reducing the attack surface. Our Secure Access Services Edge (SASE) architecture combines security and networking for cloud-based security, user authentication, and seamless integration.

  • Encryption

Ensuring sensitive data is encrypted both at rest and in transit is fundamental. End-to-end encryption of transactions and communications ensures that even if data is intercepted, it remains unreadable to cyber criminals.

  • Customer education

Educating customers about the risks of phishing and social engineering, especially during peak shopping periods like Black Friday, is vital. Clear communication about how to spot phishing attempts and verify the legitimacy of requests can help customers avoid falling victim to scams.

In conclusion

As phishing and social engineering attacks grow in sophistication, businesses must evolve their cybersecurity strategies. Traditional security measures are no longer sufficient to address these increasingly targeted and complex threats.

By combining advanced threat detection, employee training, and robust endpoint security, organisations can significantly reduce the risk of a breach. The human element remains the most significant vulnerability, so businesses must prioritise employee awareness and customer education.

Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. A proactive security posture that involves coordination between IT teams, leadership, employees, and customers is essential. By fostering a culture of security awareness and vigilance, organisations can better navigate the evolving landscape of phishing and social engineering, ensuring resilience against growing cyber threats.Cyberdefense for Black Friday



Related FAQs: Cyber defence for Black Friday

Q: Cyber defence for Black Friday and Cyber Monday – what are the common cyber threats that shoppers face?

A: Online shoppers face several cyber threats during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, including phishing attacks, online fraud, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. These threats can compromise sensitive information and disrupt online shopping experiences.

Q: How should retailers prepare their cyber defence for Black Friday?

A: Retailers can enhance their cybersecurity posture by implementing strong cybersecurity measures, such as regularly updating software, using firewalls and training employees on cybersecurity best practices. Additionally, having an incident response plan in place is crucial for managing potential cyber incidents.

Q: What are some best practices for online shoppers regarding cyber defence for Black Friday?

A: Online shoppers should follow several best practices to stay safe, including using strong and unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and shopping only on secure websites. It’s also advisable to monitor bank statements regularly for any unauthorised transactions.

Q: How can I identify phishing attacks while shopping online?

A: To identify phishing attacks, look for suspicious emails or messages that contain urgent requests for personal information or links to unknown websites. Always verify the sender’s email address and avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from untrusted sources.

Q: What should retailers do for cyber defence for Black Friday and other peak shopping events against potential DDoS attacks?

A: Retailers should invest in DDoS protection services, conduct regular security assessments, and have a robust incident response plan in place. It’s also important to monitor traffic patterns and have the ability to quickly scale resources during high-traffic periods.

Q: Are there specific cybersecurity training programs that retailers can implement for their staff?

A: Yes, retailers can implement cybersecurity training programs that cover topics like identifying phishing attacks, data protection, and safe online practices. Regular training sessions can help employees recognise and respond to cybersecurity threats effectively.

Q: How can I ensure that my sensitive information is safe when shopping online?

A: To protect sensitive information, ensure that the website has HTTPS encryption, never share personal information over unsecured networks, and use secure payment methods. Additionally, consider using a virtual private network (VPN) for added security while shopping online.

Q: What are the potential consequences of Black Friday cybercrime for retailers?

A: The consequences of Black Friday cybercrime for retailers can include financial losses, reputation damage and legal liabilities. Cyber incidents can lead to a loss of customer trust and increased costs associated with incident response and recovery.

Q: How can retailers communicate safety tips to their customers during the shopping season?

A: Retailers can communicate safety tips through various channels, including email newsletters, social media posts and their website. Providing clear information on cybersecurity best practices can help customers stay informed and secure while shopping online.



 



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