As the annual Black Friday shopping extravaganza sweeps across India, cybersecurity threats have reached alarming levels. Millions of eager shoppers hunting for online deals are facing sophisticated cybercrime attempts from hackers exploiting the festive frenzy.
Amazon Sounds the Alarm
Amazon, the online retail behemoth with approximately 310 million active users globally in 2025, has become a primary target for scammers and cybercriminals. On November 24, the company dispatched urgent warnings to its customer base, advising heightened vigilance against impersonation schemes designed to steal sensitive information.
According to Amazon's official communication, these cybercriminals are actively attempting to gain access to personal data, financial information, and Amazon account details. The timing is particularly concerning as shoppers are preoccupied with finding the best Black Friday discounts.
Sophisticated Attack Methods Exposed
A recent FortiGuard Labs report published on November 25 confirms the severity of the threat landscape. Researchers have identified over 18,000 holiday-themed domains registered in the past three months, incorporating terms like Christmas, Black Friday, and Flash Sale. Alarmingly, at least 750 of these domains have been confirmed as malicious.
The report further reveals that more than 19,000 domains imitating major retail brands like Amazon were registered, with 2,900 confirmed to be dangerous. These fake domains often use subtle variations that can easily escape notice when shoppers are rushing to complete purchases.
Cybersecurity experts note that artificial intelligence is fueling new scam varieties. Anne Cutler from Keeper Security highlights that AI is now being used to create convincing forged order confirmations, spoofed retailer websites, and even AI-generated customer service messages specifically designed to steal login credentials.
Common Scam Tactics to Recognize
Amazon has identified several common attack methods that shoppers should watch for during this high-risk period:
- Fake messages claiming delivery issues or account problems
- Deceptive advertising on social media promoting unbelievable deals
- Unsolicited tech support calls requesting account or payment information
- Suspicious links sent via email or text messages
The criminal activity extends beyond Amazon, with recent reports confirming that hackers are targeting other major brands including Netflix and PayPal through impersonation schemes using browser notifications and the Matrix Push criminal platform.
Essential Protection Measures
To safeguard against these relentless attacks, Amazon recommends all customers implement key security practices throughout the year:
Always utilize the official Amazon mobile app or website for customer service inquiries, account modifications, delivery tracking, and refund processing. Enable two-factor authentication wherever available to prevent unauthorized account access, even if your password gets compromised.
Consider switching to a passkey for safer sign-in, utilizing the same biometric data (face, fingerprint, or PIN) you use to unlock your device. Most importantly, remember that Amazon will never request payments or payment information over the phone, nor will it send emails asking customers to verify account credentials.
As Black Friday shopping intensifies across Indian cities from Mumbai to Delhi, cybersecurity awareness becomes the first line of defense against evolving digital threats targeting unsuspecting consumers.
