The Christmas season is the best time of the year. Many of us spend quality time with our families, enjoy delicious food, and even go on vacation. For many, it is also a time to enjoy shopping. And why not? This is when you’ll find the best deals on your favorite products, whether it’s a new electronic device or a household essential.
However, the holiday season also brings a higher risk of mobile fraud when shopping online. Scammers often target online shoppers in more ways than you might imagine. Fortunately, with a little awareness and precautions, you can protect yourself. Below, I’ll discuss the rise of mobile shopping scams and how you can stay safe.
A woman shopping on her smartphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
The rise of mobile fraud
According Appdome’s latest US consumer survey60.6% of Americans say fraud is their biggest concern. More than 40% of global consumers reported that they or someone close to them had been directly affected by mobile fraud, malware or a cyberattack. With mobile apps now the primary way people interact with brands, skepticism among users is growing. In fact, 24% of consumers believe developers don’t care about app security, a whopping 258% increase from 2021.
Social engineering has become a major concern, as people become more aware of the many ways mobile fraud can occur. This includes things like location spoofing, scams that manipulate users, and account takeover. Nearly half of this year’s respondents said they or someone they know personally had dealt with fraud, scams or similar issues.
These types of scams also affect your online shopping experience. I spoke with Tom Tovar, CEO of Appdome, about what consumers need to know when shopping on their mobile devices this holiday season.
“Consumers should be aware of phishing, smishing and vishing scams, which exploit fake emails, deceptive SMS messages and fraudulent phone calls to steal sensitive information. More sophisticated threats include FaceID circumvention attacks, such as those carried out by the GoldPickaxe malware, which uses AI-enhanced Techniques to bypass biometric authentication,” Tovar said.
“Other major risks include banking Trojans, which infiltrate apps to steal login credentials or financial data, and accessibility malware, which exploits device accessibility features to take control of mobile interactions. The rise of these sophisticated threats highlights the need for strong application security.”
A woman shopping on her smartphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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4 steps to take to protect yourself while shopping with your phone
Shopping scams are becoming harder to detect, but it’s easy to get ahead of them. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself while shopping with your phone.
1) Buy on a secure mobile app
This may seem obvious, but using trusted apps can help you stay safe while shopping. By trusted apps I mean platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Walmart.
“With the increasing sophistication of mobile threats, it is becoming more difficult for consumers to independently identify risks. Threats such as phishing, accessibility malware, and banking Trojans are designed to imitate legitimate functions, making them almost Instead of relying solely on issues, consumers should look for apps that clearly communicate their commitment to security through visible privacy policies, transparent security practices, and updates that address new issues. threats. Choosing apps from trusted sources and reading user reviews can also provide peace of mind.” Tovar said.
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2) Beware of phishing, smishing and vishing scams
When shopping on your phone, be careful phishing, smiling and dressing scams, as they are common tactics used to steal your personal and financial information. Phishing involves fake emails that appear to come from trusted retailers, tricking you into sharing sensitive details like passwords or payment information. Smishing is a similar tactic, but sent via text messages, which often contain links to fake websites or malicious downloads.
Vishing, on the other hand, involves scammers making phone calls posing as customer service representatives of well-known brands, attempting to gain access to your private information. Always check the authenticity of emails, text messages or calls before clicking on links or sharing details to ensure a safe shopping experience.
The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware and potentially access your private information is to have antivirus software installed on all of your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best antivirus protection winners of 2024 for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
3) Be careful about the permissions you give to apps
When shopping online from your phone, it’s important to be careful about the permissions you give to apps. Many apps may request access to things like your camera, contacts, or location, even if it’s not necessary for the shopping experience. Always think twice before granting these permissions.
“Malware often abuses these permissions to collect sensitive data or perform unauthorized actions. Before granting permissions, consider whether they align with the purpose of the app. Developers can mitigate these risks by incorporating protections from Appdome’s anti-fraud offering, that protects against the many abuse methods used by malicious actors to abuse mobile app permissions,” Tovar said.
A woman shopping on her smartphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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4) Protect your financial information
Protecting financial information is crucial, especially when shopping online. It is important to use secure websites, indicated by “https” in the URL, and avoid saving payment details on apps or websites unless they are trusted.
While consumers should remain vigilant — using trusted apps, downloading them only from official app stores, and monitoring for suspicious activity — there’s a lot they can do, Tovar said.
“The sophistication of modern threats often makes it impossible for users to identify or prevent all risks on their own,” he said. “Consumers are better able to keep their personal information safe by choosing brands that prioritize security and back it up with tangible actions, such as automating strong protections and offering built-in, proactive security measures.”
Kurt’s Key Takeaway
The Christmas season is a prime time for purchases and, unfortunately, for scams. As mobile shopping continues to grow, threats such as AI-powered scams and advanced malware are expected to increase. However, you can stay safe by staying informed about potential threats, choosing apps with strong security measures, and practicing good mobile hygiene. It is also the responsibility of app developers to ensure that users do not fall victim to scammers.
Do you think app developers are doing enough to keep people safe from scams? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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