A new tool has been launched to help prevent people being scammed on Black Friday.
CheckMyLink - check.cyberskills.ie - was developed by Munster Technological University (MTU), helps online shoppers if somewhere is a safe place to shop.
The security tool was developed in collaboration with Scam Advisor and An Garda Síochána.
It's estimated around €4 billion will be spent online in Ireland this month in the lead up to Christmas.
Gardaí say hackers use contaminated links frequently around Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Chair of Cybersecurity at MTU, Donna O’ Shea, say scammers are exploiting the cost of living crisis.
"Scammers and fraudsters will attempt to exploit the fact that more of us are under pressure financially with increased energy costs, inflation, interest rates, meaning we have less money in our pockets. And cybercriminals know this.
"They basically create fake websites that look very real, enticing people to take a risk and purchase online using these fake sites".
File Photo: Cybersecurity, Photo: Pixabay.comDetective Chief Superintendent Barry Walsh, Head of Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau, says shoppers should be extra careful around Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals online.
“There is an increased risk to consumers, particularly around this time of year, as hackers are using contaminated links hidden within emails, social media and other mainstream online platforms to gain access to passwords, credit card details or other sensitive information".
