Latin America. Impulse shoppers face a new risk in the digital world: misleading advertising. In 2023, Google blocked more than 206.5 million fraudulent ads, including those designed to scam unsuspecting users. In addition, it removed more than 1,000 million ads for abuse of the advertising network, such as the dissemination of malware.
However, the advertising traps go beyond search engines. According to Statista, 44% of social media scams during the first half of 2023 corresponded to online shopping fraud, making it the main threat to these platforms.
False advertising and sophisticated scam methods
Cybercriminals mimic the identity of well-known brands, promoting irresistible offers to lure compulsive shoppers. Once victims click on these ads, they are directed to fraudulent pages where they are demanded to pay upfront. To disguise the deception, scammers provide fake tracking data, but then disappear without delivering the product.
In addition, a new form of fraud has gained strength: interactive advertising. Criminals use fake giveaways and seemingly harmless apps to grab users' attention. "These deceptive ads can lead to malware downloads, theft of personal information, or subscriptions to dubious services," warns Adrianus Warmenhoven, cybersecurity expert at NordVPN.
Compulsive Shopping: When the Pleasure of Shopping Becomes a Risk
Beyond scams, impulse purchases can have a significant financial impact. It is estimated that 4.9% of the world's adult population suffers from oniomania, a consumer addiction that especially affects digital environments. More than 50% of online purchases are made without prior planning, driven by the excitement of getting an exclusive discount.
"Compulsive shopping can lead to careless exposing of personal information, which significantly increases the risk of fraud and data theft," warns Warmenhoven. With the ease of access to the internet and digital shopping at the click of a button, consumer culture has become fertile ground for cybercriminals.
How to protect yourself?
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. When using a VPN (virtual private network), it is possible to change the real IP address and virtual location, making it difficult for internet service providers, cybercriminals, network administrators, and advertisers to spy on other users.
· Check reviews. If an ad asks you to download an app or visit a web page, it's a good idea to first search the web for reviews and additional information before clicking.
· Use Threat Protection Pro Threat Protection Pro combines the best aspects of essential cybersecurity tools into one comprehensive package. This feature scans all downloaded files for malware, preventing visitors to dangerous pages designed for phishing or fraud attacks. It also serves to block intrusive advertising.
· Be skeptical of requests for information. It is recommended to be wary of any advertising or offer that asks for personal information or payment details, especially if the incentive seems too good to be true.
· Verify that the URL is correct. Always check that the online store you enter is real. A trusted link will look like "Nike.com", not "n1ke.com". This small change in URLs makes a big difference, as cybercriminals take advantage of inattention to lead shoppers to a fake website.
