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A recent global study from Kaspersky indicates that 65% of internet shoppers think they can identify fraudulent activities by themselves, whereas only 42% utilize security software to safeguard their transactions and prevent harmful links.

Experts view this as a significant threat to online shoppers. In the last year, Kaspersky detected almost 6.7 million phishing attacks worldwide that mimicked online retailers, payment platforms, and banks, with 55.6% aimed at those shopping online.

With the start of the post-holiday and summer sales period, Kaspersky carried out a survey to analyze consumer approaches to cybersecurity while shopping online. The results indicate that 97% of participants show a high degree of understanding regarding online security threats and take at least some steps to protect their digital purchases.

Nevertheless, the survey revealed that less than half of the participants utilize specialized security software to prevent phishing attacks and secure payment processes. This worrying pattern is especially evident among individuals aged 55 and above, where only 32% of respondents in this category employ security software while conducting online shopping.

Commonly used security measures involve staying alert to red flags, like questionable links or odd website layouts (65%) and checking the credibility of sellers (62%).

Kaspersky specialists highlight that although these methods are crucial safety steps for online purchasing, they represent basic protective approaches rather than the full-scale fraud detection offered by a security program.

Additional measures that might safeguard online shoppers, such as employing a distinct credit card for online transactions or creating a separate email address when signing up with unknown online retailers, were selected by 33% and 26% of those surveyed, respectively.

In the meantime, 30% stated they sought advice from friends and family prior to purchasing. Notably, this choice is particularly favored by younger individuals, with 37% choosing it, whereas it is less prevalent among older adults (21%).

Over the course of the year, we have noticed that online shoppers have continually been among the most appealing targets for fraudsters. In times of sales, their deceptive activities can intensify. Being cautious is important, but safeguarding yourself goes beyond just being aware.

“It is especially worrying that fraudsters are now employing AI to create more advanced, personalized phishing attacks that are becoming harder for average users to detect,” says Olga Altukhova, Senior Web Content Analyst at Kaspersky.

High-demand periods for sales attract fraudulent activities. To safeguard yourself from new risks, adopt the following security measures:

– Avoid storing your complete credit card information on websites unless it’s truly essential.

– It is advisable to use a dedicated debit card exclusively for online transactions and enable transaction notifications on your bank and credit card accounts.

– Exercise extra caution with “flash sales” that appear too good to be true. Be alert to websites that push you to make rapid decisions, and stay cautious of sellers who do not allow returns or exchanges.

– Employ unique passwords for every online account and activate two-factor authentication whenever it is available.

– Implement a security system that includes a robust anti-phishing feature. For example, Kaspersky Premium was awarded the ‘Approved’ certification by the top testing laboratory AV-Comparatives in 2025 for identifying 93% of phishing URLs, highlighting its exceptional anti-phishing performance, driven by artificial intelligence.

– Fraudsters continually update their approaches, so being aware of new phishing tactics can enable you to identify and steer clear of them. The Kaspersky Security blog will assist you in staying updated on the latest cyber threats.

The research was carried out by Kaspersky’s market analysis department in November 2025. A total of 3000 participants from 15 countries (Argentina, Chile, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates) took part in the survey.