Phishing Attacks Spike On Amazon Prime Day

Shoppers looking for deals on Amazon Prime Day are being targeted by cybercriminals that aim to capitalize the surge of digital users mobilized by Amazon’s sales event. According to research led by Check Point Software Technologies, one of the most common cyberattacks suffered by Amazon Prime users is phishing. 

Phishing attacks tend to target their victims through fraudulent emails or text messages. In these cases, cybercriminals attempt to entice victims to click on malicious links that redirect them to fraudulent websites designed to steal their credit card information. 

Phishing attacks targeting Amazon users are seemingly on the rise. Check Point Research shows that phishing campaigns related to Amazon Prime increased 16 times during June compared to the previous month. Additionally, the study revealed that there has been an 8% rise in all phishing campaigns related to Amazon worldwide. These figures concern users given that Amazon registered over 300 million items sold globally during Prime Day 2022. 

Nearly 1,500 new domains related to the term "Amazon" were registered during June, of which 92% turned out to be malicious or suspicious, reports Check Point. Furthermore, one out of every 68 new domains associated with "Amazon" was also linked to "Amazon Prime," with about 93% of these domains posing a risk for digital users. When ordinary users fall victim to cyber deceit, phishing techniques potentially grant cybercriminals unauthorized access to users' account and credit card information.

To mitigate the risks surrounding a phishing attack, Check Point researchers suggest looking for misspellings in fraudulent emails, which can be an easy way to identify the hackers and avoid contact with them. The company also suggests avoiding using payment details from a website that does not have secure sockets layer (SSL) encryption installed. Additionally, sharing only the bare minimum personal information will enhance cyber protection and minimize the risks of suffering from a cyberattack. 

To combat these threats, Mexican shoppers should be proactive and adopt robust cybersecurity practices. By following the recommended security measures, customers can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to phishing attacks and other cyber threats during Amazon Prime Day. It is crucial for shoppers to remain digitally vigilant and exercise caution while clicking on links or providing sensitive information. Additionally, public awareness campaigns, educational resources and targeted outreach initiatives could empower Mexican shoppers with the knowledge and tools necessary to identify and respond to cyber threats effectively.