New Zealanders Face Heightened cyber Scam Risk this Holiday Season: A Norton Report analysis
Published: October 17, 2025 – By[Yourname/Organization-[Yourname/Organization-[Yourname/Organization-[Yourname/Organization-Critically important for E-E-A-T – e.g., Cyber Security Insights NZ, Dr. Anya Sharma – Cybersecurity Expert]
As New Zealanders gear up for the festive shopping season, a new report from Norton (Gen Digital) reveals a concerning trend: the convenience-driven digital habits adopted by consumers are simultaneously creating meaningful opportunities for cybercriminals. The 2025 Norton Cyber safety Insights Report: Holiday paints a picture of increasing risk,fueled by a willingness to trade personal data for discounts,reliance on social media for purchases,and growing anxieties surrounding complex,AI-powered scams. This analysis delves into the report’s key findings,offering practical advice and expert commentary to help New Zealand shoppers navigate the holiday season safely.
The Allure of Convenience: A Double-Edged Sword
The report highlights a stark reality: New Zealanders are increasingly prioritizing speed and ease in their holiday shopping, often at the expense of security. A staggering 51% admit to sharing personal details – email addresses and phone numbers being the most common – in exchange for discounts. While seemingly harmless, this practise provides scammers with valuable data for targeted phishing attacks and identity theft. This trend is notably pronounced among Millennials (65%), suggesting a generational difference in risk assessment.
“The desire for a bargain is powerful, but it’s crucial to understand the cost of ‘free’,” explains Mark Gorrie, Managing Director APAC for Gen Digital. “Scammers exploit this desire, offering seemingly irresistible deals in exchange for information they can then monetize or use to further their fraudulent schemes.”
Social media: From Gift Guide to Scam Hub
Social media platforms are rapidly becoming integral to the holiday shopping experience. 31% of New Zealanders have made a purchase directly after seeing an advertisement on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and 32% utilize these channels as digital gift guides. however, this increased reliance comes with a significant downside.
gen Threat Labs data, cited in the report, reveals that over 50% of all scams identified on social media services involve fake online shops and fraudulent advertisements. This underscores the critical need for heightened vigilance when shopping through social channels. The report’s findings align with broader industry observations of a surge in “social commerce” scams, where deceptive sellers exploit the trust inherent in social networks.
The Rise of AI and the Evolving Threat Landscape
the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is adding another layer of complexity to the threat landscape. While 23% of respondents plan to leverage tools like ChatGPT for gift ideas,a concerning 57% express worry about falling victim to AI-generated scams. This anxiety is well-founded. AI is now being used to create incredibly realistic phishing emails, deepfake videos, and sophisticated fake websites, making it increasingly difficult for even tech-savvy individuals to discern legitimate offers from fraudulent ones.
“AI is a game-changer for both legitimate businesses and cybercriminals,” says [Your Name/Expert Title]. “The ability to personalize scams at scale, using AI to mimic trusted brands and individuals, represents a significant escalation in the sophistication of online fraud.”
Vulnerability in Action: Past Experiences and Future Risks
The report’s data on past experiences is particularly sobering. 21% of New zealanders have been targeted by a holiday shopping scam in previous years, and a worrying 39% of those targeted actually fell victim. Younger generations, particularly Gen Z, demonstrate a greater willingness to take risks, with 48% admitting to engaging in unconventional behaviors like clicking on suspicious ads (22%) or purchasing from unknown sellers on social media (14%).
This willingness to take risks,coupled with the increasing sophistication of scams,creates a perfect storm for financial and personal data loss. The holiday season, with its inherent pressures and emotional decision-making, exacerbates these vulnerabilities.
Protecting Yourself: Practical Steps for a Safe Holiday Shopping Season
based on the Norton report and expert analysis, here are key steps New Zealanders can take to protect themselves from holiday shopping scams:
* be Skeptical of Discounts: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Verify the legitimacy of the offer and the seller before providing any personal information.
* Verify Website Security: Before entering payment details, ensure the website uses HTTPS (look for the padlock icon in the address bar).
* Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Employ a password manager to create and store complex passwords for each online account.
* Be Wary of Social Media Ads: Treat social media advertisements with extreme caution. Research the seller independently before making a purchase.
* **Avoid Clicking Susp
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