Today marks the start of Amazon's major shopping event, Prime Big Deal Days, which not only attracts bargain hunters but also criminal actors. According to a recent report from security company Check Point Software Technologies, the number of newly registered domains linked to Amazon and Prime Day has increased significantly in the run-up to the sale.
Nearly thirteen hundred new related domains were registered in September, representing a 42 percent increase since July. Of these, one in sixteen domains was classified as directly malicious or suspicious by the security company.
Large shopping days create perfect conditions for cybercriminals because millions of people are looking for deals and making purchases in a short period of time, says Fredrik Sandström, security expert at Check Point Software.
AI sharpens fraudsters' methods
The attackers rely heavily on fake login pages and bogus online stores that visually mimic the e-commerce giant. The purpose is to obtain login details, credit cards and personal information. The methods often include phishing via email, where recipients are lured with free gift cards or warned that their account is allegedly blocked.
A growing concern is the use of generative AI, which makes fraud significantly more sophisticated than before. The new technology allows attackers to quickly create flawless copies of websites and write convincing phishing emails in multiple languages.
Previously, warning signs such as poor language and spelling errors are now more difficult to detect when generative AI is used to create credible fake websites and well-written phishing emails. Therefore, it is important to check both sender and web addresses before clicking or providing payment information, says Fredrik Sandström.
Sharp increase in attacks on Swedish commerce
However, it is not only Amazon's customers who are in the line of fire. The entire Swedish retail sector is under heavy pressure. According to statistics, Swedish trade and consumer services were hit by an average of over 2,500 cyberattacks per week in September, a nearly 47 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
The grim trend reflects the general threat landscape for the industry. As Ehandel.se previously reported, concern about fraud is also high among consumers during major sale periods, which is now confirmed by the security companies' hard figures.