2023-12-04 18:43:46
Increase in the number of attacks requires effective measures to protect yourself during the retail shopping experience
Black Friday is one of the main consumption dates in global retail and in Brazil. In a scenario full of offers and purchasing opportunities, consumers need to be careful not to fall for fraud, as cybercriminals take advantage of this opportunity to carry out scams. According to Post-Black Friday 2022 Study, carried out by MindMiners with 1000 Brazilians last year, the digital environment has become one of the main shopping preferences of consumers, with 84% of people making purchases online.
In these environments, the potential for scams becomes a warning factor. O Retail Report 2023 indicated a significant increase in payment fraud attempts, reaching 36% growth in 2021 compared to the previous year. These attempts resulted in cyber attacks or data leaks, with an increase of 22%, in addition to losses related to fraudulent transactions and chargebacks, which increased by 51%.
Already the Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2023 highlights that approximately 4,000 attacks targeting virtual identity theft occur every second. Events of great magnitude in the Brazilian commercial calendar do not go unnoticed by cybercriminals, creating ripe opportunities for scams.
Given this scenario, adopting simple but effective practices becomes crucial to minimize the chances of consumers falling for cyber scams. In this context, André Toledo, Security Leader at Microsoft Brazil, shared five general protection tips and another five specifically aimed at Black Friday – with the aim of helping to strengthen consumers’ digital security during this critical period of intense commercial transactions online. -line.
GENERAL TIPS
- Use a password authenticator
Replacing passwords with two-factor authentication (2FA) is a highly secure practice. This model considers two of the three essential elements for effective protection: something you know (password) and something you have (cell phone/computer). When implementing 2FA, the user performs a registration that combines the entered password with a code generated on the device, making the process more robust. This measure becomes important in the midst of brute force attacks, in which automated attackers test different combinations of passwords, often from dictionaries. By ensuring that access requires not just a password but also code generated on a trusted device, you significantly reduce vulnerability. This not only protects once morest unauthorized access, but also prevents attackers from using email as a starting point for illicit activities, strengthening the security of your account.
2. Don’t recycle passwords
The practice of reusing passwords, especially between different shopping sites, poses a security risk. If one of the sites where you use your password is attacked, the attacker might gain access to all of your data, including your email. This approach puts the confidentiality of your information at risk. It is recommended to adopt unique passwords for each platform, ensuring an additional layer of security and mitigating the potential impacts of data breaches on a single website.
3. Update all your devices
Ensuring the security of your devices is crucial. Make sure you keep all your purchasing channels such as mobile, computer and gadgets updated to the latest software versions. Frequent updates often include security fixes that strengthen defenses once morest potential vulnerabilities. This practice helps protect your personal information and online transactions, ensuring a safer and more reliable digital environment for your purchasing activities.
4. Check before clicking
In Brazil, only until October 2023, approximately 10,000 attacks by phishing, a type of online fraud that involves trying to trick people into obtaining sensitive information such as passwords and financial detailsTo protect yourself from these types of scams, which even include simulated bank alerts and retail websites, adopt strict verification practices. Avoid clicking on links sent in these messages, which may arrive via email, SMS or other means of communication. Instead, access the bank’s website manually by typing in the known address. Be aware of grammatical errors or poorly formatted logos, which are common signs of fraudulent attempts. Always verify the authenticity of communication, whether through direct contact or using secondary authentication methods. Stay informed regarding ever-evolving phishing tactics and continually educate yourself to identify potential threats, ensuring you can effectively defend once morest these deceptive attacks.
5. Do not use open Wi-Fi networks
To maintain your safety online, avoid connecting to open Wi-Fi networks, especially when carrying out sensitive activities such as banking or logging into personal accounts. These networks are more susceptible to cyber attacks. Make sure your connection is secure, preferably through password-protected networks, to minimize the risk of intrusions and ensure the confidentiality of your information.
PARA A BLACK FRIDAY
- Choose secure payment methods
During Black Friday, prioritize secure payment methods, such as credit cards or reliable platforms, which offer the possibility of disputes in case of inappropriate purchases. Avoid using less secure payment methods, such as direct transfers and direct links. A new option is the single-use virtual credit card available in banking applications. Also, carefully check the consumer protection policies associated with your payment method.
2. Turn on shopping channel notifications
Ensure a safer shopping experience by enabling shopping channel notifications. These immediate alerts keep you informed regarding transactions, purchase confirmations, and activity on your account. This makes it possible to quickly identify any suspicious activity, enabling immediate action to protect your information and prevent unauthorized transactions. By keeping notifications activated, you reinforce the security of your online transactions, ensuring more control and surveillance over your shopping activity.
3. Be wary of overly attractive offers
When faced with offers that appear to be very advantageous, adopt a cautious stance. Absurdly attractive offers may be indicative of possible fraud or scams. To ensure the best choice and avoid pitfalls, use Bing Shopping to compare prices. This tool provides an overview of the options available, helping you verify the legitimacy of offers and ensure you get the best value for money when shopping online.
4. Check if the website is certified
Before carrying out any online transaction, make sure the website is secure and certified. Look for security indicators, such as a padlock in the address bar or URLs that begin with “https”. These signals indicate the use of encryption to protect your personal information. However, it is not just “https” that indicates its security, it is necessary to look for other signs, such as security certification seals and comments from other users on social networks, complaint sites, among others. By validating the authenticity of the website, you reduce the risk of fraud and ensure a safer shopping experience.
5. Evaluate partner sellers on Marketplace platforms
When accessing online shopping platforms that host multiple sellers, known as “partner sellers” or “marketplaces,” make it a priority to read reviews carefully. In addition to considering the platform’s reputation, examine other buyers’ experiences with individual sellers. This offers clues regarding the reliability of the store or seller, the quality of the service they provide and the satisfaction of other consumers with the shopping experience. By making informed choices, you maximize the chance of a positive shopping experience in environments where different stores operate within the same platform.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation in the era of the intelligent cloud and intelligent frontier. Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. The company has been in Brazil for 34 years and is one of the subsidiaries of Microsoft Corporation, founded in 1975, and which is present in more than 190 countries. From July 2021 to June 2022, the company invested more than US$15 million in donations and discounts for non-profit entities, impacting more than 2 thousand institutions with software donations, purchase discounts and support for training projects. With the launch of the Microsoft For Startups Founders Hub, 443 new startups were approved, totaling 703 supported startups, which together have already consumed USD 11,898,488.00 of Azure cloud credits.
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