Google has released a vital update, and individuals planning to shop online this month should take heed. With November marking the start of the Black Friday deals season from major retailers worldwide, consumers can expect enticing offers; however, scammers are also poised to exploit this shopping frenzy.
According to Google’s recent fraud and scams advisory, cybercriminals often intensify their activities during peak shopping periods like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These malicious actors leverage the high consumer demand and urgency to execute deceptive schemes, leading to financial theft and data breaches.
Shoppers venturing online or checking their Gmail accounts must remain vigilant for suspicious deals or notifications that seem too good to be true. Google cautioned that scammers utilize sophisticated tactics such as creating fake online storefronts, running misleading ad campaigns, and launching phishing attacks during these shopping extravaganzas.
Phishing, a form of cyberattack where criminals deceive individuals into disclosing sensitive information under false pretenses, poses a significant risk during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Common tactics include fake missed parcel notifications or fraudulent prize claims.
To combat these threats, Google has introduced new technology to block fake emails and unauthorized websites. While users of Google Pixel 9 and newer devices can opt for Enhanced Protection in Chrome for added defense against package tracking scams, staying alert remains crucial during the shopping season.
Google emphasized its ongoing efforts to safeguard users, including implementing enhanced protections in Google Messages to counter such scams effectively.