Young Australians at greatest risk as holiday cyber scams surge

Online shoppers in Australia are increasingly exposing themselves to cyber threats during the holiday period, with new research highlighting a notable rise in risky behaviours, particularly among younger generations. The findings reveal that nearly a third of Australians are more likely to take chances shopping online at this time of year, a sharp increase from the previous holiday season.

Generational differences

The trend is most pronounced among Gen Z and Millennials. According to the study, 43% of Gen Z and 42% of Millennials admit they are more likely to cut corners online compared to just 8% of Boomers. This indicates a significant generational gap in online shopping habits and perceived risk.

Dean Williams, Senior Systems Engineer at Norton, said, "Online shopping is now the norm, with the majority (95%) of Australians planning to buy gifts online this holiday season."

Growing uncertainty

The research also found that more than a quarter of Australian consumers are unsure how to shop safely online. This lack of confidence raises concerns over vulnerability to scams amid a surge in malicious activity.

Recent threat intelligence data highlights a 14% rise in malvertising attacks, with a 52% spike in malicious push notifications seeking to lure shoppers into risky clicks. There has also been a 721% increase in web-skimming attempts, as cybercriminals target online checkouts with code designed to steal payment details.

"That convenience is great for shoppers, but it also creates opportunity for cybercriminals. Scammers know people are rushing, distracted, and keen to snap up bargains, which makes them more likely to click on something risky," said Williams.

Social media scams

Social media platforms are emerging as prime hunting grounds for scammers. The data shows that 42% of Australians have clicked on a social media advert to purchase a holiday gift and more than a third (36%) have completed purchases directly through platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. However, 31% admit they have found themselves on suspicious sites after chasing trending items.

"Social platforms like TikTok and Instagram are increasingly popular places to discover new products and brands - but they're also rife with fake sponsored ads that pose as legitimate stores," said Williams.

He added that artificial intelligence is being used to make scam ads appear more convincing, with realistic imagery, copy and branding that mimic genuine retailers.

Price over privacy

The drive for discounts is also prompting many Australians to share personal information. Almost half are willing to hand over data in exchange for a deal. This ranges from email addresses (87%) and phone numbers (43%) to home addresses (20%) and even bank details (7%).

The appetite for bargains extends to effort, with 86% of shoppers searching for discount codes and over a quarter prepared to spend more than 30 minutes doing so. Additionally, almost half of respondents said they would buy something immediately during a flash sale, especially among younger demographics.

Williams said, "Our advice is simple. Only click through to retailers you know and trust, and think twice before handing over your personal or payment information. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Taking that extra moment to check could save you from losing money or having your identity stolen."

Safety precautions

Williams recommends Australians slow down and think before clicking on ads or emails, shop with trusted retailers and official apps, limit the amount of personal data shared online, remain wary of suspicious deals, and ensure up-to-date cyber protection is in place.

"Holiday shopping should be joyful, not stressful," said Williams. "By taking a few extra seconds to verify, protect and pause before you purchase, Australians can save themselves not just money, but the heartbreak of falling victim to a scam."