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The Silent Surge: Cybercrime Spikes During Black Friday & Cyber Monday

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November 25, 2025
BusinessCybersecurityITMSPTechnology

The Silent Surge: Cybercrime Spikes During Black Friday & Cyber Monday

As the chaos of Black Friday and Cyber Monday approaches, shoppers are focused on snagging the best deals. It’s a time of year when retailers see record sales — but it’s also a prime moment for cybercriminals to strike. A recent 2025 Threat Intelligence Report from CYFIRMA provides chilling evidence of how attackers are scaling up their tactics during the holiday shopping surge. At the same time, cybersecurity firm McAfee warns of increasingly sophisticated scams powered by AI and designed to fool even savvy consumers.

Here’s a look at how cybercrime is evolving during the shopping season and how both shoppers and businesses can stay safe.

Why Cybercriminals Love the Holiday Shopping Frenzy

According to CYFIRMA’s report, Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer a “significant surge in online sales … and, with it, a sharp increase in cybercrime.”

Here’s why:

  1. High Traffic, High Volume
    With more people shopping online, attackers have more potential victims, increasing the odds of successful scams.
  2. New Attack Vectors Through Mobile & Payment Innovation
    Digital wallets, QR codes, and mobile apps are being exploited through fake apps and malicious payment links.
  3. Explosion of Fake Retail Websites
    Fraudsters build counterfeit e-commerce sites offering huge discounts to steal credentials or payment info.
  4. Gift Card Scams
    Attackers impersonate trusted contacts to trick people into buying and sharing gift card codes.
  5. Phishing & Smishing Campaigns
    Fake delivery or order-confirmation messages redirect victims to malicious pages.
  6. Malvertising & Social Media Fraud
    Fake ads mimic real promotions but lead to malware or phishing sites.
  7. Dark Web Support
    Threat actors now rent phishing kits and fraud modules, lowering the skill barrier.

How Scams Are Getting Smarter: The McAfee Perspective

McAfee warns that holiday scams are no longer basic phishing — AI is powering a new generation of attacks.

  • Deepfake Websites & Ads — AI clones brand sites, product descriptions, and influencer endorsements.
  • Social Media Scams — Fake posts use deepfakes or manipulated images to push “exclusive” deals.
  • Shipping and Delivery Text Scams — Fake “package issue” links leading to credential theft.
  • Account Verification Scams — Fake alerts from Amazon or PayPal requesting login or payment.
  • AI-Powered Impersonation — Nearly half of Americans encountered AI-driven scams last year.

McAfee’s recent statistics:

  • 1 in 5 Americans have been scammed during a past holiday season.
  • Average loss per victim: $840.
  • Deepfake content saw a 1,740% surge in North America last year.

Actionable Tips to Stay Safe This Shopping Season

For Consumers

  • Verify Website Authenticity — Check the URL carefully.
  • Avoid Unknown Payment Methods — QR and UPI scams are rising.
  • Don’t Download Unexpected Files — ZIP attachments are being weaponized.
  • Enable MFA — Protects you even if credentials are stolen.
  • Shop from Trusted Channels — Type retailer URLs manually.
  • Be Skeptical of Social Media Deals — Deepfake promos are rampant.
  • Be Careful with Delivery Texts — Check orders directly on official sites.
  • Use Secure Networks — Avoid public Wi-Fi for purchases.

For Retailers

  • Monitor for Domain Spoofs — Watch for malicious look-alike sites.
  • Vet Third-Party Vendors — Supply chains are being targeted.
  • Educate Customers — Promote safe shopping behaviors.
  • Inspect Attachments — Block or sandbox unexpected files.
  • Leverage Threat Intelligence — Track dark web chatter and phishing kits.

Looking Ahead: Why 2025 Is Different

Cybercrime is becoming more accessible. CYFIRMA reports widespread use of phishing-as-a-service and pre-built scam kits, enabling low-skilled actors to run sophisticated campaigns.

Meanwhile, McAfee shows that AI-driven scams are now mainstream. Attackers can clone brands, generate realistic messaging, and deploy deepfake campaigns at scale making it harder than ever to trust what we see online.

Final Thought

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are about big deals, but they’re increasingly about big risk. As cybercriminals innovate, both shoppers and companies need to stay vigilant. By understanding the evolving threat landscape and applying practical guidance from CYFIRMA and McAfee — you can protect your wallet and your data during one of the busiest online shopping seasons of the year.

Stay safe. Shop smart. Don’t let the holiday cheer overshadow the cyber risk.

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