International. With the autumn sales season knocking on the door, a cybersecurity expert warns about new forms of online advertising scams.
According to data from Google's Advertising Safety Report, 206.5 million ads were blocked or removed in 2023 for misrepresentation, including those considered fraud. In addition, more than 1 billion ads were removed for abusing the ad network, for example, those that spread malware. And with Black Friday approaching, experts warn that cybercriminals are already preparing their alibis, and are ready to take advantage of the clicks of compulsive shoppers to make a profit.
But advertising scams are not limited to search engines. According to Statista, in the first half of 2023, 44% of social media scams were online shopping fraud, making it the biggest online threat to these platforms.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are getting closer, and criminals are increasingly using online advertising to attract more victims. At this time of year, they often use ads that create a sense of urgency by presenting promotions as "limited-time offers," usually too-good-to-be-true bargains, which they accompany with fake reviews to mislead the buyer.
"Scammers can easily create fake ads that mimic the voice of well-known brands to appear to be them. This lure potential
victims with unrealistic discounts and false promises, demanding upfront payments. After clicking on one of these ads, users are directed to dangerous web pages, thus falling into the trap of cyber criminals. To maintain the halo of innocence, they provide false transport tracking data, but, after collecting the payment, they stop responding to the buyer. On the other hand, the new stealing methodology with interactive advertising uses dynamic content to capture the attention of shoppers," says Adrianus Warmenhoven, cybersecurity expert at NordVPN.
Interactive advertising: a new form of deception
Scammers lure users in with interactive advertising such as giveaways or harmless-looking apps. The success of this deception lies in the fact that they take advantage of interactive elements to surprise potential victims, inviting them to do something fun. "Scams with interactive advertising are becoming more and more advanced. These scams can lead users to share sensitive information, download malware, or subscribe to disreputable services," Warmenhoven says.
Compulsive shopping can be expensive
According to statistics on shopping addiction, it is estimated that 4.9% of the world's adult population suffers from this condition. More than 50% of online purchases are made impulsively. For those who suffer from this condition, the real pleasure of shopping lies not only in getting new items, but in the excitement of getting the best deals. These buyers are very active, as they are always motivated by the excitement of finding a great deal on a product they wanted to get. Clicking the "buy" button gives them an adrenaline rush comparable to what players or fans of the sport feel when they get an important achievement.
Tips to avoid scams
To protect yourself from the potential threats posed by advertising scams so that you can continue shopping with peace of mind, Adrianus Warmenhoven advises taking these precautions:
- Use a VPN.
- Check reviews.
- Use Threat Protection Pro
- Be skeptical of requests for information.
- Verify that the URL is correct.
