New research released today reveals Australians are increasingly expressing deep concerns over the security of their data, with almost 3 in 5 fearing falling victim to cybercrimes this holiday season.
Norton, a global leader in Cyber Safety, has just released its 2023 Holiday Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report, shining a light on the rising threats to online security as Australians start working through their Christmas shopping lists.
As we all know, the holiday season marks a significant increase in the time we spend shopping online, and this year, Australians are more reliant on online retailers than ever before. Businesses should understand what Aussies are concerned about in the lead up to Christmas as it’s a big time of year for small business.
Key findings from the report include:
- 7 out of 10 Australians are concerned about their personal details being compromised, and over 55% are worried about AI shopping scams.
- Almost 3 in 10 Australians (28%) are feeling uncertain about their ability to stay safe while shopping online, particularly when facing evolving and sophisticated scams.
- Over 1 in 4 Australians have admitted to being targeted by scams during previous holiday seasons, and with the proliferation of new AI tools, the threat is even more apparent.
- A growing worry for more than half (58%) of Australians is the potential for their older loved ones to fall for suspicious email or text scams offering sales.
- Almost two-thirds (64%) believe that scams are more prevalent during the holiday season compared to other times of the year. Victims have reported significant financial losses, with some individuals losing as much as 50,000 AUD.
- Scammers have moved beyond traditional channels, with 37% of victims targeted through social media. This highlights the need for Australians to stay educated and aware of evolving threats when buying gifts online.
