The emergence of Cyber Monday, as a phenomenon, came about as a result of changes in consumer consumption habits. Retailers, looking to maximise their sales opportunities, dedicated a day just to online shopping and consumers now come in their droves to take advantage of the sales and discounts on offer.  However, this elevation in online noise – some reports suggest that $6.6bn was spent by US consumers on Cyber Monday in 2017 - also provides the perfect smokescreen for cybercriminals to take advantage of unsuspecting shoppers. As we know, criminals follow the money and there is plenty of ill-gotten gains to be had on Cyber Monday and throughout the holiday period.
One point that is often missed is that cybercriminals aren’t just targeting consumers who shop online, but businesses as well, many of which are understaffed and, in the case of retailers, approaching their busiest time of year.