In a recent study conducted by cybersecurity and compliance company Proofpoint Inc., it was revealed that 40% of the top retailers in the United States are not actively blocking fake emails that impersonate their brand. As the holiday shopping season approaches, this lack of protection could leave consumers vulnerable to email fraud and cybercrime.
The analysis was based on the adoption of Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance (DMARC) protocol among the top 50 retailers in the U.S. DMARC is a crucial email authentication protocol that helps prevent domain spoofing by verifying the sender’s identity before allowing the message to reach the recipient. With cybercriminals increasingly targeting consumers through email, especially during the holiday season, the lack of proper email authentication measures could lead to a surge in fraudulent attacks.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts a steady growth in holiday sales this year, estimating that Americans will spend between $979.5 billion and $989 billion. With online shopping expected to be a significant contributor to retail sales growth, retailers need to prioritize email security to protect their customers from potential scams and phishing attacks.
According to Proofpoint’s research, 60% of online retailers have implemented the highest level of DMARC protection, which rejects suspicious emails, marking a 12-point increase from the previous year. However, the remaining 40% are still not actively blocking fraudulent emails, leaving consumers at risk of falling prey to cybercriminals. Alarmingly, one in 10 retailers have no DMARC record at all, while 18% have only implemented a monitor policy, allowing unqualified emails to reach the recipient’s inbox.
Robert Holmes, group vice president and general manager of Proofpoint’s Sender Security and Authentication business, emphasized the importance of retailers enhancing their email security measures, especially during the holiday season when consumers are eager to secure seasonal deals. While progress has been made in implementing DMARC protection, there is still room for improvement to safeguard consumers from email fraud.
In addition to retailers taking action to protect their customers, consumers are also advised to remain vigilant while shopping online. Proofpoint recommends following essential tips such as protecting passwords, being cautious of imitation sites, avoiding phishing threats, refraining from clicking on suspicious links, and verifying the authenticity of purchases before completing transactions.
As technology continues to evolve, organizations like Google have implemented enhanced authentication rules to reduce the number of unauthenticated messages sent, resulting in a more secure online environment. By adopting industry best practices like DMARC and educating consumers about safe online shopping habits, the retail industry can work together to combat email fraud and protect consumers during the holiday season and beyond.
For more information on DMARC and email fraud defense, visit Proofpoint’s website at https://www.proofpoint.com/us/products/email-fraud-defense. Stay informed and stay safe while shopping online this holiday season.
About Proofpoint, Inc.
Proofpoint, Inc. is a leading cybersecurity and compliance company that focuses on protecting organizations from targeted threats and ensuring data security. With a suite of cloud-based solutions, Proofpoint helps companies worldwide defend against cyber attacks and empower their users to be more resilient online. Trusted by top organizations, Proofpoint’s people-centric security and compliance solutions are essential for mitigating critical risks across various platforms like email, the cloud, social media, and the web. To learn more about Proofpoint, visit www.proofpoint.com.
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