Key Takeaways:

• Shopping Season is Hunting Season – Massive sales like 11.11 and Black Friday drive high traffic and easy prey for cybercriminals, often leading to increased phishing and social engineering attacks. 
• Hackers Aren’t Bargain Hunting; They’re Data Hunting – As people scramble for deals, threat actors exploit weak security practices, outdated software, and user mistakes.
• Protection Requires Preparation – Proactive defenses, employee training, and continuous monitoring can be the difference between a successful attack and a near miss.

As shoppers flood online marketplaces during November’s major shopping events—such as 11.11 Singles’ Day in China and Black Friday in the U.S.—cybercriminals are equally busy, capitalizing on this surge in online transactions to launch a variety of cyber attacks. With a staggering $139 billion spent on Singles’ Day in 2022 alone, it’s no wonder that these shopping days have become prime hunting grounds for cybercriminals. For small and medium businesses (SMBs) and their Managed Service Providers (MSPs), who may lack the resources and defenses of larger organizations, this season requires particular vigilance.

From phishing emails disguised as shipping notifications to ransomware attacks targeting weakened infrastructure, let’s explore the specific threats that crop up during November’s shopping frenzy, how these attacks are conducted, and practical steps MSPs and SMBs can take to safeguard their systems.

The Threats and Tactics: A Closer Look

1. Phishing Attacks

During the holiday shopping season, phishing attacks spike as cybercriminals leverage consumers’ eagerness for deals and businesses’ reliance on digital communications. Phishing emails impersonating major brands such as Amazon or Walmart inform recipients about “order issues” or “exclusive offers,” leading them to fake sites designed to steal their credentials or install malware.

• Example: On Black Friday 2022, attackers sent emails mimicking major retailers with subject lines like “Important: Order Delayed” or “Exclusive Discount Inside.” Unwitting recipients who clicked these links were led to credential-stealing pages. Once credentials were obtained, attackers often gained unauthorized access to users’ accounts or even business systems.
• How It’s Done: Using advanced “phishing kits,” cybercriminals replicate the look and feel of genuine websites with logos, brand colors, and similar messaging. These kits are available on the dark web, allowing even amateur cybercriminals to conduct sophisticated phishing campaigns that bypass spam filters. Phishing is effective during this season because of increased email traffic; people are expecting shipping updates, order confirmations, and promotional emails, which lowers their guard.

2. Malware and Ransomware Attacks

Malware and ransomware attacks increase around the holidays as cybercriminals know SMBs may be more vulnerable with reduced staff or resources stretched thin. Attackers may use phishing emails or fake websites to install malware, which can lock down critical systems or create backdoors for further exploitation.

• Example: In 2021, the REvil ransomware group exploited this seasonal weakness by targeting multiple U.S. and European retailers, disrupting sales and demanding substantial ransoms. These attacks not only caused financial loss but also eroded customer trust.
• How It’s Done: Ransomware is often delivered through infected attachments or disguised as free software (e.g., “holiday discount apps”). Once installed, it encrypts files and demands payment in exchange for decryption. Malware may also include spyware that quietly monitors activity and extracts sensitive data over time, going undetected for months. Ransomware is especially harmful because it can halt operations, leading many SMBs to consider paying quickly to restore services.

3. Fake E-commerce Websites

Cybercriminals create fake websites that closely mimic popular brands, offering “deals” on products that don’t exist or capturing sensitive customer data.

• Example: Forbes reported an 85% rise in counterfeit e-commerce sites during the Black Friday weekend in 2022. Cybercriminals designed these sites with similar URLs and visuals to reputable brands, leading many consumers to unknowingly enter their payment details and personal information, which were then harvested and sold on the dark web.
• How It’s Done: These fake sites often use “typosquatting” (domains that look like real brands but have small misspellings) or buy ad space to appear prominently in search results. Shoppers, eager to grab a good deal, may click without checking the URL carefully, entering their payment information and ultimately being defrauded.

4. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks

DDoS attacks, which overwhelm servers with traffic to render websites inaccessible, can be devastating during the holiday season when e-commerce is at its peak.

• Example: In November 2020, several European e-commerce sites fell victim to DDoS attacks, causing hours of downtime and revenue loss. Attackers, believed to be a hacktivist group, flooded the sites with traffic, disrupting sales and customer access.
• How It’s Done: Attackers use botnets, networks of compromised devices, to send massive volumes of requests to a target website, overwhelming its server. During peak times, even a small increase in traffic can disrupt a website’s functionality, making it vulnerable to DDoS attacks. Sometimes, DDoS attacks serve as distractions while hackers exploit other security gaps, causing a double blow to the business.

5. Credential Stuffing and Account Takeover Attacks

Cybercriminals use leaked credentials from previous data breaches to access user accounts, especially as consumers reuse passwords across multiple sites.

• Example: In 2022, online retailers saw a spike in account takeover attempts during Black Friday, with attackers using “credential stuffing” to hijack customer accounts. They used compromised accounts to make fraudulent purchases, change delivery information, or steal loyalty points.
• How It’s Done: Using automated tools, attackers enter lists of leaked usernames and passwords across different sites, searching for matches. Once they gain access, they can make purchases, steal loyalty points, or further compromise customer information. During the shopping season, credential stuffing can go unnoticed, as increased traffic and legitimate activity mask malicious logins.

How Cybercriminals Execute These Attacks

The methods behind these attacks are as sophisticated as they are varied. Here are some commonly used tools and tactics:

• Botnets: Used for DDoS attacks, botnets allow cybercriminals to overwhelm servers with requests. They can also automate credential stuffing, trying countless username-password combinations in seconds.
• Phishing Kits: Phishing kits provide templates, login pages, and scripts for harvesting credentials, making it easy for attackers to mimic legitimate sites and launch convincing phishing campaigns.
• Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS): RaaS platforms allow cybercriminals to “rent” ransomware tools for a share of the profits. This business model lowers the barrier to entry, making ransomware attacks accessible to less tech-savvy criminals.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is increasingly being used to enhance phishing campaigns, making them more personalized and effective. AI-driven phishing emails are highly targeted, increasing their success rates.

Practical Steps for MSPs and SMBs to Stay Protected

1. Employee Education and Training: Employees are the first line of defense. Conduct regular cybersecurity training on identifying phishing emails, verifying website authenticity, and reporting suspicious activity.
2. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enable MFA across all accounts to provide an additional layer of protection. This is particularly effective against credential stuffing.
3. Security Patches and Updates: Ensure systems are up-to-date with the latest security patches. Many successful attacks exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software.
4. Network Monitoring: Use real-time monitoring tools to detect unusual activity like traffic spikes or repeated login attempts, which can signal a DDoS attack or credential stuffing.
5. Phishing Simulations and Drills: Conducting regular phishing simulations can highlight employee vulnerabilities and improve their response times to real threats.

Guardz: A Partner for MSPs and SMBs During High-Risk Periods

At Guardz, we’re committed to strengthening cybersecurity for SMBs and MSPs, particularly during high-risk seasons. Our platform offers customized cyber awareness training modules that equip employees to recognize phishing attempts and other social engineering tactics. Leveraging AI-driven phishing simulations, Guardz enables businesses to test and improve employee responses to real-world cyber threats. With a focus on proactive defense, Guardz provides MSPs with tools to foster a security-first culture, empowering SMBs to navigate the holiday season securely and confidently.

By incorporating Guardz’s platform into your security strategy, you’re not just protecting your business—you’re protecting your customers, reinforcing trust, and ensuring smooth operations through the busiest shopping season of the year.