With Black Friday sales already underway, leading IT solutions provider CMTG is alerting shoppers and businesses to the heightened risk of scammers, fake websites and phishing emails during the busy shopping period.
Cybercriminals increasingly exploit major online shopping events, using fraudulent websites and emails that mimic trusted retailers to steal personal and financial information. These attacks can have serious consequences for both individuals and businesses alike.
“Black Friday is a great time for deals, but it’s also when cybercrime activity peaks,” CMTG Managing Director Carl Filpo said.
“We’re urging shoppers and businesses to verify the legitimacy of websites and emails, avoid clicking links from unknown sources, and approach offers with caution.
“Awareness is the best defence against online scams.”
CMTG provides a range of cyber security solutions and awareness programs to protect both businesses and individuals.
These include cyber security awareness training to educate employees and teams on recognising phishing attempts, unsafe websites and other online threats; managed IT security services that provide proactive monitoring and protection against malware, ransomware and other attacks; and email and web security solutions that safeguard communication channels against phishing and malicious links.
“These services are particularly important for small and medium-sized businesses, where a single successful phishing attack can have major operational and financial consequences,” Carl added.
“Combining robust IT security with employee education is the most effective way to prevent attacks before they occur.”
CMTG recommends that shoppers and businesses take simple precautions if participating in Black Friday sales – including checking URLs carefully to ensure they are on official retailer sites before entering payment information, being cautious of unsolicited emails or texts, and verifying offers before clicking links.
Carl also recommended using strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication, as well as investing in cyber security training to help employees recognise and respond to threats effectively.
“By staying alert and using the right cyber security measures, shoppers and businesses can enjoy the sales season without falling victim to scams,” he said.
Businesses seeking guidance on strengthening cyber resilience can contact CMTG at 1300 002 684 or visit https://cmtg.com.au/ to learn more about cyber security services and training programs.
