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โ€œWe needed to find solutions to a variety of issues whilst being a complex business, operating in a 24/7 environment. Stripe OLT listened and understood immediately the challenges we faced.โ€

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โ€œWe needed to find solutions to a variety of issues whilst being a complex business, operating in a 24/7 environment. Stripe OLT listened and understood immediately the challenges we faced.โ€

IT Operations Manager
Simon Darley
Trusted by industry leaders

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From Discounts to Data Breaches - Staying Safe On Black Friday

Published: November 27, 2024
Updated: November 28, 2024
In a nutshell:
Donโ€™t let cyber criminals turn your Black Friday bargains into a data breach. Check out our bite-sized security guide to keep your users and your business safe this shopping season.  
Advances in AI technology have only amplified Black Friday risks, enabling hackers to create increasingly convincing fake emails, websites and advertisements...

Black Friday Is More Than a Dayโ€”And Cybersecurity Risks Are Evolving With It 

โ€˜Black Fridayโ€™ is an event every savvy shopper eagerly awaits as the holiday season approaches. However, itโ€™s no longer just a single day of deals. Black Friday has evolved into a weeks-long sales event, and in some cases, it spans the entire month of November.

While this extended shopping period offers consumers more time and flexibility to grab bargains, it also significantly increases opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit unsuspecting shoppers. 

Black Friday Alert on Laptop

The longer shopping period gives cybercriminals extended opportunities to deploy scams, phishing attacks, and other cybersecurity threats. Advances in AI technology have only amplified these risks, enabling hackers to create increasingly convincing fake emails, websites and advertisements. AI allows these scams to mimic trusted brands with precision, making them more likely to deceive even cautious shoppers. 

For organisations, unfortunately the risks are even greater, as employees shopping on company devices or falling victim to scams can expose sensitive networks and data. AI-driven phishing attacks are harder to detect, and malware downloads from seemingly legitimate sites can open the door to ransomware or unauthorised access to business systems. 

Read on for a bite-sized breakdown of what to, and not-to do, when taking advantage of Black Fridayโ€ฆ 

  1. Watch Out for Phishing Scams
    • Beware of emails promising unbelievable discounts or urgent calls to action like โ€œHurry, sale ends in 30 minutes!โ€ 
    • Always check the sender’s address and avoid clicking on links unless youโ€™re certain theyโ€™re legitimate.
    • Check out our handy 5 minute guide – how to spot a phishing email, for an example of what to look out for.

  2. Stick to Trusted Retailers
    • Only shop on websites you trust and double-check the URL for accuracy. 
    • Ensure the site uses HTTPS (look for the padlock symbol in the address bar). 

  3. Be Wary of Social Media Adsย 
    • Fake ads and giveaways on platforms like Instagram or Facebook can redirect you to phishing websites. 

  4. Avoid Public Wi-Fiย 
    • Shopping on public Wi-Fi can expose your data to hackers. Use a VPN to encrypt your connection if you must shop on the go. 

  5. Keep Your Devices Secureย 
    • Ensure your devices are running the latest updates, and use strong, unique passwords for shopping accounts. 

Employees shopping online during work hoursโ€”often on company-owned devicesโ€”can unintentionally expose your business to significant cyber risks. Hereโ€™s how to mitigate these threats: 

  1. No Shopping on Company Devicesย 
    • Enforce a policy against using work devices for personal shopping. 
    • Personal shopping increases the likelihood of malware infections, phishing attacks, or unauthorized downloads on company systems. 
    • Utilise solutions like Microsoft Intune to enforce policies that restrict non-work-related browsing or shopping on company devices. Intuneโ€™s Mobile Device Management (MDM) capabilities allow you to apply conditional access rules, ensuring work devices are used strictly for business purposes.

  2. Educate Employeesย 
    • 82% of cyber security breaches involve a human element, yet less than a third of businesses report their staff have undergone any formal cyber security awareness training. Why not take advantage of training solutions like our User Awareness Training to help employees identify phishing emails, fake websites, and other scams. 

  3. Monitor Network Activityย 
    • Black Friday is a prime time for cyberattacks. Use advanced threat monitoring to detect unusual activity on your network. Consider leveraging solutions like Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to provide advanced threat monitoring and detect unusual activity in real time across your network. 

  4. Update Endpoint Securityย 
    • Ensure all devices connected to your network have updated antivirus software and endpoint protection. 
    • Utilise solutions like Microsoft Endpoint Manager to ensure all devices connected to your network are running the latest antivirus software and patches. 

  5. Back-Up Dataย 
    • A robust backup strategy ensures your business can recover quickly if hit by ransomware or another attack. 
    • Consider implementing Azure Backup to protect your critical data and ensure it can be quickly restored in the event of a ransomware attack or system compromise. Combine it with Azure Site Recovery to maintain business continuity by replicating workloads to the cloud in real-time. 

Black Friday doesnโ€™t have to come with cybersecurity risks. By following these tips, you can enjoy the best deals without falling into cybercriminalsโ€™ traps. For businesses, setting clear policies and reinforcing security measures ensures that the shopping season doesnโ€™t lead to costly breaches. 


Need help safeguarding your business during high-risk periods? Our cyber security experts are here to support you. Get in touch today.