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Rising Threat of Fake Online Shops Before Black Friday

As the much-anticipated Black Friday approaches on November 27, 2026, shoppers are gearing up for great deals, but a parallel threat looms: the surge of fraudulent online stores. A recent analysis by AV-Comparatives highlights a worrisome trend, revealing that reports of fake shopping sites have surged fivefold in just two months, particularly as holiday shopping intensifies.

The Alarming Rise of Fraudulent Online Stores

According to a report from the American cybersecurity firm Savi Security, customers using their Scamwise service report a new fake store approximately every three minutes—amounting to around 500 counterfeit sites launched daily. This spike in fraudulent online shops is especially concerning during the holiday season, as fake stores capitalize on shoppers' eagerness to find bargains. In fact, a staggering 85% of these fraudulent shops tend to vanish within two weeks, complicating efforts to block them proactively.

Security Solutions Tested

To combat this growing threat, AV-Comparatives conducted a rigorous test of various cybersecurity products against 500 active fake store URLs, as well as 100 legitimate shopping sites. For a product to achieve the Fake-Shop Detection Certification 2026, it needed to accurately identify at least 80% of fraudulent sites without triggering any false alarms.

Seven security solutions successfully met this challenging criterion, demonstrating effective protection against the digital deceit prevalent during the holiday shopping season. Those certified include prominent names in cybersecurity such as Avast Premium Security, Bitdefender Total Security, F-Secure Internet Security, Kaspersky Premium, NordVPN Next-gen Antivirus, Norton 360 Deluxe, and Norton VPN Ultimate.

How to Protect Yourself While Shopping Online

With fake shops becoming increasingly convincing, even seasoned online shoppers are falling victim, especially during peak shopping occasions like Black Friday and the subsequent holiday rush. Experts emphasize the necessity of using dedicated security software that alerts users before entering sensitive payment information on potentially fraudulent sites. This additional layer of defense significantly bolsters personal protection against cyber threats.

In addition to relying on security software, shoppers are encouraged to remain vigilant and adopt common safeguarding practices. This includes checking for spelling errors in URLs, being skeptical of steep discounts that seem too good to be true, and utilizing payment methods that offer buyer protection.

Full results, product reviews, and more tips can be accessed on AV-Comparatives' official website.

Understanding AV-Comparatives

AV-Comparatives has established itself as a leading independent organization in cybersecurity testing. Its evaluations go beyond traditional antivirus software, focusing on modern endpoint protection, threat detection, and mobile safety across various platforms. Leveraging one of the most sophisticated threat collections globally, AV-Comparatives provides real-world testing environments to deliver comprehensive assessments. Their results are publicly available, offering valuable insights for consumers looking to bolster their cyber defenses.

As shoppers eagerly anticipate holiday discounts, staying aware and prepared against fraudulent schemes should be high on their list. With the availability of certified cybersecurity solutions and a focus on personal vigilance, one can significantly reduce the risk of falling prey to online scams this season.