According to new research by Kaspersky, 65% of consumers worldwide who make online purchases believe they can identify scams on their own. However, only 42% use security software to protect their payments and block malicious links. The study also showed that fewer than half of users utilize specialized security solutions to prevent phishing attacks and protect their electronic transactions. This phenomenon is more pronounced among those over 55 years old, as only 32% of participants in this age group report using security software during online shopping. Experts emphasize that this attitude poses serious risks for consumers. It’s notable that within the past year, Kaspersky detected nearly 6.7 million phishing attacks impersonating online stores, payment systems, and banks, with 55.6% targeting internet shoppers.
Meanwhile, the research results show that 97% of respondents report high levels of cybersecurity awareness and take at least some measures to protect their digital transactions. Among the most common practices are recognizing warning signs, such as suspicious links or unusual website designs (65%), as well as checking the seller’s credibility (62%). As Kaspersky experts emphasize, while these practices are necessary, they constitute only basic defense levels and cannot replace the comprehensive protection offered by a modern security solution.
Winter sales 2026: How to avoid falling victim to fraud
Other protective measures, such as using a separate card for online purchases or registering with unknown online stores using a different email address, are adopted by 33% and 26% of participants respectively. Additionally, 30% report seeking advice from friends or relatives before making a purchase. This practice is more common among younger consumers (37%), while appearing less frequently among older individuals (21%).
According to the research, discount periods provide fertile ground for scammers’ activities. To strengthen their protection against new threats, consumers are advised to follow certain basic security practices: not storing complete credit card details on websites unless absolutely necessary· considering using a separate debit card for online purchases and enabling transaction notifications· being skeptical of «lightning» deals that seem too good to be true· using different passwords for each account and enabling two-factor authentication where available· implementing security solutions with strong phishing protection· and staying systematically informed about new fraud techniques through reliable information sources.
Finally, it’s noted that the research was conducted by Kaspersky’s market research center in November 2025, with participation from 3,000 respondents from 15 countries: Argentina, Chile, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, and United Arab Emirates.
