Shop smarter, not harder: how to use AI tools and navigate Black Friday safely
With Black Friday fast approaching, consumers are sure be turning to AI in increasing numbers. From personalized shopping agents to virtual try-ons, AI promises a smoother, more efficient path to the perfect purchase.
The data is clear; consumers are ready to let AI take the wheel. According to Kaspersky survey data, 72% of respondents have used AI, with 30% integrating it into daily routines like generating shopping lists and planning budgets. This trend is set to explode during the holiday season.
Making the most of Black Friday with AI
Shoppers are deploying AI as a powerful “deal hunter,” moving beyond simple price comparisons into the era of agentic commerce, where consumers can delegate shopping tasks entirely. Imagine instructing an AI agent to monitor prices for a specific 65-inch 4K TV and authorizing it to purchase automatically when the price drops below your target.
Not only customers, but also famous brands and marketplaces are also rapidly embedding AI into every layer of the shopping experience, from dynamic pricing engines and predictive inventory systems to personalized product recommendations and AI-powered chat assistants. Some brands already allow shoppers to explore and buy products from retail ecosystems directly through AI chatbots like ChatGPT.
However, convenience in AI-driven commerce introduces new cybersecurity risks. Entrusting AI agents with shopping and payment decisions opens several attack vectors: chatbots can be compromised through prompt injection techniques that redirect users to malicious websites, while credential theft from these sites can lead to financial fraud and data breaches.
What’s more, during Black Friday, scammers frequently impersonate major retailers like Amazon and Walmart to send phishing emails claiming to offer exclusive discounts or prizes. For instance, Last year Kaspersky reported a near 25% surge in retail-focused cyberthreats ahead of Black Friday.
Staying secure whilst securing savings
The good news is that people don’t have to forgo the benefits of AI to stay safe. By adopting the following smart cyber habits, consumers can make shopping more profitable and secure:
- Use well-thought prompts. Instead of using a vague prompt like “Find me the best Black Friday laptop deals,” which might give you less accurate or reliable offers, try crafting a prompt that clearly states what you’re looking for. A much more efficient approach would be to say: “Act as my trusted personal shopping assistant. Find three laptops from major, reputable retailers like Apple, Amazon or Dell, with an average customer review of 4 stars or higher. Exclude any sellers with less than 1,000 reviews. For each, list the product name, key specs, current price, and a direct link to the product page on the official retailer’s site. Ensure all deals are valid for Black Friday 2025.”
- Be cautious about what you share with AI. Try to avoid granting AI tools or browser plug-ins access to payment details unless they are from a highly reputable, established company. Fortify your accounts by using multi-factor authentication and opt for trusted payment platforms or credit cards, which offer superior fraud protection compared to debit cards. To guarantee the top tier safety of your banking data consider using a cybersecurity solution with online payments protection feature.
- Always double-check URLs before entering any personal or payment information. It’s crucial to avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails, texts or social media ads, no matter how compelling the offer, instead, navigate directly to the retailer’s official website. To stay truly protected during Black Friday shopping use a reliable security solution with anti-phishing component. For example, Kaspersky actively amplifies its solutions with AI-powered anti-phishing tools, to ensure advanced cyber protection against increasingly complex phishing threats.
This Black Friday, AI is your most powerful ally in navigating the sales, but it pays to be aware that cybercriminals are using the same technology. By leveraging AI’s capabilities wisely while adhering to strict security practices, you can unlock unprecedented convenience and savings without falling victim to the holiday season’s digital Grinches.
