Black Friday and Thanksgiving feel like the Super Bowl of online shopping – limited-time deals, countdown timers, and inboxes bursting with discount codes. It’s exciting. It’s chaotic. And it’s the exact moment cybercriminals wait for all year.

When people are shopping faster than they’re thinking, threat actors aren’t just busy –  they’re thrilled.

A recent retail security report found that global phishing campaigns around Black Friday increased by more than 650% during Thanksgiving week compared to early November. Another industry analysis revealed that over $12.5 billion in online transactions last year were processed within Thanksgiving weekend alone, according to Adobe Digital Insights. With buying volume shifting into “rapid-fire mode,” attackers don’t need anything more.

But here’s the good news: staying safe does not mean shopping less. It means shopping smarter.

Why Cybercriminals Target This Season

During Thanksgiving week and Black Friday, several things happen at once:

  • People shop from multiple devices.
  • They store cards in browsers to “save time.”
  • They click emails without reading closely.
  • They hunt for discounts before they disappear.

Every one of those behaviors creates an opening.

Picture this: After Thanksgiving dinner, you finally crash onto the couch and find a promo email saying your favorite smartwatch is 70% off –  “only 4 pieces left.” You’re half asleep, one click away from checkout… and that’s exactly what attackers want. Not because you’re careless –  but because you’re human.

If urgency and excitement were cybersecurity tools, the world would be safer. Instead, that combination is what makes this weekend lucrative for cybercriminals. A Gartner retail security forecast reported that human error and fast-decision shopping behavior contribute to 88% of cyber-fraud events during high-promotion periods.

The Top Scams To Watch Out For

The most common threats during Thanksgiving and Black Friday include:

  • Deal-based phishing emails disguised as trusted retailers
  • Fake checkout pages built to steal payment information
  • Malicious holiday shopping apps that harvest login credentials
  • Public Wi-Fi traps at airports, hotels, and malls
  • Stolen-card reselling through fraudulent holiday stores

The ease of store-to-store shopping also matters. Analysts found that card-not-present fraud makes up nearly 75% of online fraud during peak shopping days. Every click is a new payment entry point –  and attackers stack those opportunities. McKinsey’s e-commerce risk benchmark found that card-not-present fraud accounts for nearly 79% of online financial fraud during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

So, How Do You Actually Stay Safe?

The most effective strategies are simple enough that anyone can apply them –  personally and professionally.

Slow down before clicking. 

If an offer feels urgent, open your browser and type the retailer’s name instead of clicking the email link.

Use secure payment methods.

Credit cards, digital wallets, and virtual cards offer more protection than debit cards.

Turn on multi-factor authentication everywhere.

It adds a layer that attackers can’t bypass with just a stolen password.

Skip public Wi-Fi when shopping or logging in.

Mobile hotspots are fundamentally safer than open networks.

Trust well-known retailers.

If a brand you’ve never heard of is discounting a $900 item for $100, chances are the price isn’t the only trap.

Final thoughts

Cybersecurity during Thanksgiving and Black Friday isn’t about paranoia –  it’s about awareness. The goal is not to avoid deals but to avoid becoming one. With a few smart habits, you can enjoy every flash sale and every holiday promo without putting your personal or workplace data at risk.

So shop big – Just stay sharp.

FAQs

1. Why do cyberattacks increase during Black Friday and Thanksgiving?

Because transaction volume rises, shoppers are distracted, and many people click links faster than usual.

2. How do I know if a deal email is safe?

Avoid clicking links directly. Instead, type the retailer’s website into your browser and confirm the deal there.

3. Are virtual cards more secure for Black Friday shopping?

Yes. They protect your real card number and add an extra security barrier.

4. Is public Wi-Fi safe for online shopping?

It’s not recommended. Use a mobile hotspot or home connection when entering payment details.

5. Do cybercriminals target corporate accounts during the holiday season?

Yes. Personal shopping lapses can lead to stolen credentials that attackers later use on business systems.

Don’t let cyber attacks catch you off guard – discover expert analysis and real-world CyberTech strategies at CyberTechnology Insights.

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