Surge in Holiday Phishing Attacks Reported

A recent analysis by Darktrace reveals a dramatic surge in retail cyber scams during the 2024 holiday shopping season, particularly around Black Friday. Worldwide, Christmas-themed phishing attempts increased by 327%, while Black Friday-themed attacks soared by 692% compared to early November. In the U.S. retail sector, phishing attempts mimicking major brands like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy rose over 2000%. The analysis highlights a shift in scammers' tactics from targeting businesses to impersonating consumer brands, which increased by 92% globally. Despite significant investments by retailers in cybersecurity, the volume of impersonation attacks remains a major challenge. Darktrace's VP of Threat Research, Nathaniel Jones, attributes this uptick to the busy shopping environment, making it harder to detect suspicious activities.