2023 Norton Cyber Safety Report average amount lost to holiday shopping scams is over Rs 20,000

Chennai, Nov 3 : Norton, a consumer Cyber Safety brand of Gen on Friday released its latest Cyber Safety Insights Report. As the holiday season approaches, a recent survey of Indian consumers reveals intriguing insights into holiday shopping trends, security practices, and concerns.

Conducted by Norton, this survey sheds light on the behaviours and priorities of Indian holiday shoppers, according to a Norton release.

While many Indians are willing to take risks during festive season shopping, the Norton survey also reveals many Indians are taking general precautions with their online safety that included 88% check ratings for online sellers before making purchases; 85% investigate the digital security of devices 82% assess a company’s social media presence for authenticity; 76% abandon purchases on non-authentic websites; 73% prefer to pay through third-party payment providers like PayPal; and 71 % avoid making purchases on public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks ‘.

“As we embark on another festive season, it is crucial to remember that our online safety should remain at the forefront of our minds. With most consumers planning to shop online, it is imperative that we stay vigilant and prioritize security. The digital landscape offers fantastic deals and convenience, but it also presents potential risks. By taking precautions, such as using trusted security software and verifying the authenticity of websites and sellers, we can enjoy the festive season with peace of mind,” Ritesh Chopra, India Director at Norton, said.

An overwhelming 96% of Indian consumers plan to engage in holiday shopping. When it comes to securing high-demand gifts this season, Indian shoppers are willing to take risks and spend money.

According to the survey 30% are ready to spend more than the market value by Rs 4,000, 41% are willing to spend over three hours searching online; 37% say they’d share their personal information to get the gift, and many would do things to put their security at risk, with19% willing to purchase from a questionable website, 31% willing to buy from a questionable third-party, and 18% even willing to buy something on the Dark Web.

Norton recommends a variety of tips to help protect against scams, depending on the type. These include checking the details of any online store you’re unfamiliar with; being wary of offers that are too good to be true; creating strong, secure passwords and use a password manager; monitoring your credit and bank statements for signs of fraud; being cautious when shopping over public Wi-Fi networks which are easy to hack and cybercriminals could intercept the data sent to a shopping site like a credit card or payment details and use of official shopping apps when possible and sign up for identity theft protection.