The holiday season is the best time of the year. Many of us spend quality time with our families, enjoy delicious meals, and even go on vacation. For many people, this time of year is also a time for shopping. Why not? Find great deals on your favorite products, including new electronics and household essentials.
However, the holiday season also increases the risk of mobile fraud while shopping online. Scammers often target online shoppers in more ways than you might imagine. Fortunately, you can protect yourself by being aware and taking some precautions. Below, we discuss the rise in mobile shopping fraud and how to stay safe.
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A woman shopping with a smartphone (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Mobile fraud on the rise
According to Appdome’s Latest U.S. Consumer Survey60.6% of Americans say fraud is their top concern. More than 40% of global consumers report that they or someone close to them has been directly affected by mobile fraud, malware, or cyberattacks. With mobile apps now becoming the primary way people interact with brands, skepticism is growing among users. In fact, 24% of consumers believe that developers don’t care about app security, a significant 258% increase from 2021.
Social engineering has become a major concern as people become more aware of the many different ways mobile fraud can occur. This includes location spoofing, user manipulation fraud, account takeover, and more. Almost half of respondents to this year’s survey said they or someone they know personally has dealt with fraud, scams, or similar issues.
These scams also affect your online shopping experience. We 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 wary of phishing, smishing, and vishing scams that use fake emails, deceptive SMS messages, and fraudulent phone calls to steal sensitive information. More advanced threats “These include FaceID bypass attacks, such as those carried out by the GoldPickaxe malware. AI-enhanced techniques that bypass biometric authentication,” Tovar said.
“Other significant risks include banking Trojans that infiltrate apps and steal login credentials and financial data, and accessibility malware that exploits device accessibility features to control mobile operations. The rise of advanced threats highlights the need for robust in-app security.
A woman shopping with a smartphone (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
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4 steps to take to protect yourself while shopping on your smartphone
Shopping fraud is becoming increasingly difficult to detect, but it’s easy to get ahead of it. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself when shopping on your phone.
1) Shop with a secure mobile app
It may seem obvious, but using a trusted app can help you stay safe while shopping. Trusted apps mean platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Walmart.
“As mobile threats become more sophisticated, it becomes increasingly difficult for consumers to independently identify risks. By design, it is nearly impossible to detect at first glance. Look for apps that clearly communicate their commitment to security through policies, transparent security practices, and updates that address new threats by choosing apps from trusted sources and reading user reviews. It also gives me a sense of security,” Tovar said.
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2) Beware of phishing, smishing, and vishing scams
Please note the following points when shopping with your smartphone: Phishing, smishing and Vishing These are scams because they are common tactics used to steal personal and financial information. Phishing involves fake emails that appear to come from a trusted retailer, tricking users into sharing sensitive information such as passwords or payment information. Smishing is a similar tactic, but it’s delivered through text messages and often includes links to fake websites or malicious downloads.
On Vishing, on the other hand, scammers call you pretending to be a customer service representative from a well-known brand and try to access your personal information. To ensure a safe shopping experience, always verify the authenticity of emails, texts, or calls before clicking on links or sharing details.
The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that can install malware and access your personal information is to install antivirus software on all your devices. This protection also warns you about phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best antivirus protection products of 2024 for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
3) Be careful about the permissions you grant to apps
When shopping online on your smartphone, it’s important to be careful about the permissions you give to apps. Many apps may request access to your camera, contacts, location, etc. even if they are not necessary for your shopping experience. Always think carefully before granting these permissions.
“These permissions are often abused by malware to collect sensitive data or perform unauthorized operations. Before granting a permission, make sure it matches the app’s purpose. Developers can mitigate these risks by incorporating the protections of Appdome’s anti-fraud services, which protect against a number of malicious attackers. It’s an exploitation method used to exploit the
A woman shopping with a smartphone (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
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4) Protect your financial information
Protecting your financial information is important, especially when shopping online. It’s important to use secure websites, indicated by “https” in the URL, and to not store payment details in apps or websites unless you trust them.
Consumers should remain vigilant by using trusted apps, only downloading from official app stores, and monitoring for suspicious activity, but there’s only so much you can do, Tovar said.
“Modern threats have become so sophisticated that it is often impossible for users to identify or prevent all risks on their own,” he said. “Consumers have the potential to keep their personal information safe by choosing brands that prioritize security and back it up with concrete actions such as automating robust protection and offering proactive built-in security measures.” will be higher.”
Cart important points
The holiday season is a busy time for shopping, but unfortunately, it’s also a time for scams. As mobile shopping continues to grow, threats such as AI-powered fraud and advanced malware are expected to increase. However, you can help keep yourself safe by staying informed about potential threats, choosing apps with robust security measures, and practicing good mobile hygiene. It is also the responsibility of the app developer to ensure that users do not fall prey to scammers.
Do you think app developers are doing enough to protect people from scams? Email us at. Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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