CYBERSECURITY | Black Friday surge spurs cyber threats in Southeast Asia
A regional survey by Milieu Insight found that eight in ten consumers now plan their purchases around Black Friday, with 72% across the region preferring to shop online.
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Online activity across Southeast Asia is expected to surge ahead of Black Friday, with security firms warning that cybercriminals are preparing to exploit the region’s fast-growing online shopping traffic. The yearly sale event has become a major fixture among consumers in Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, according to new survey data and threat intelligence reports.
A regional survey by Milieu Insight found that eight in ten consumers now plan their purchases around Black Friday, with 72% across the region preferring to shop online. Indonesia leads with 94% of shoppers choosing e-commerce, followed by Singapore at 81%. High-priced items are also being delayed until the sale period, with 63% of respondents saying they wait specifically for Black Friday to make bigger purchases.
Security firm Mimecast warned that the increase in online transactions is drawing cybercriminals who use fake CAPTCHAs, bogus multifactor authentication prompts, look-alike retail websites and fabricated reviews to lure rushed shoppers. Attackers are also hiding malicious code in QR-based and image-based files to evade detection.
“As online activity intensifies, attacks are expected to deploy tactics such as counterfeit retail sites, fabricated customer reviews, fraudulent delivery messages, and steep discounts on popular items,” said Barry Chen, ASEAN director at Mimecast. He added that phishing emails mimicking major brands are also anticipated as criminals try to exploit urgency during promotional periods.
Milieu’s survey also highlights how Southeast Asians are preparing for the event. Half of consumers prefer paying through digital wallets, particularly in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. However, payment habits vary across markets: credit cards remain dominant in Singapore, while 72% of Filipinos still prefer cash.
Deal-hunting behavior is also shaping online patterns. Cashback and rebates drive 63% of purchase decisions, while flash sales and early-access offers remain strong motivators. Fashion, electronic gadgets and personal care products top the regional shopping list. Social media and cashback apps have become key channels for discovering Black Friday deals, with 69% of respondents relying on social platforms and 54% using shopping apps.
The expected spike in online traffic is also a concern for retailers. Mimecast warned that the high volume of web visits during the sale period provides criminals an opportunity to introduce trojans, impersonate customer-service accounts and deploy phishing attacks targeting retail employees. The firm advised retailers to upgrade security protocols and provide threat-awareness training ahead of the weekend.
Survey data from Milieu Insight was collected in November 2023 and represents 3,000 online respondents across six Southeast Asian markets.
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