DETROIT, MI (MPRN)-- Retailers predict about three quarters of the U.S. public will shop online Monday.
But as WDET’s Quinn Klinefelter reports, the billions of dollars spent on this so-called “Cyber” Monday also offer a prime opportunity for online criminal activity.
The combination of online holiday deals and shoppers quickly buying lots of items creates a fertile field for cyber criminals to steal personal information.
Cyber security expert Michael Madon says clicking a link in an email or pop up ad, or opening an attachment that appears to come from a retailer, can actually open a portal for networks of online scammers.
“While we’re all hunting for the hottest deal cyber criminals are hunting for us. For them it’s Cyber Monday, too,” he says.
Homeland Security officials caution that online crooks often pose as charities during the holidays.
They suggest going directly to a web site before providing any financial information.