Online Retail: A New Threat rises

Online shopping and retail has grown exponentially in recent years. But what can we do to protect customers and vendors from digital threats? 

 With the last three years bringing with it a global pandemic, the Middle East’s rich retail culture was left crippled by an emerging world of persistent lockdowns, restrictions and uncertainty. In order for retail companies to survive in this new world, significant change needed to be made. In response, ecommerce saw a surge, as many companies realised that customers could safely shop from the comfort of their own home, with its own added benefits.  

 While the added convenience, stock and accessibility is greatly favoured these days over its brick-and-mortar counterparts, it is in the online realm where a new strain of security threats germinate. Numerous third party sites and services all play a part in the smooth operation of an online store – from stock, hosting and shipping – and with more contributing companies, there exists a greater margin of error. Any one of these parties are susceptible to a data leak or other cyber exploitations, which could mean putting potentially millions of customers at risk.  

 It is not only consumers that can fall victim to cyber crime and exploitation in this new online world, either. Vendors are just as much at risk of theft as customers, with their own data and even their products in the clutches of opportunist cybercriminals. Artists especially are a group of vendors that have been targeted, with their own work being stolen and repurposed into bootleg products. The rise of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in the last year have also brought with them a pandemic of digital art theft, as the incredibly unstable and fraudulent investment practice is built on the foundation of stealing online artists’ work.  

 All these problems compound upon each other to create a potentially hostile and lawless wasteland that requires customers to remain vigilant while shopping online. Thankfully, the conundrum is not unsalvageable: security leaders around the globe are working diligently to create AI-assisted technology and solutions to swiftly flag copyright and data infringement when it happens, as well as preventative security measures to ensure visitors can browse online stores securely. 

 Online retail has been taking the world by storm since it claimed dominion over the pandemic-afflicted world three years ago. People in isolation or fearful of the outside world had access to more products than ever before, without ever having to step outside their home. With this rise in popularity comes an inevitable rise in demand, leading to many ill-intentioned opportunists seizing the chance to create their own products for as minimal cost as possible. This involves printing stolen art on cheap shirts, pillowcases, mugs, posters and hoodies with cheap materials and processes, often using exploitative labour in third-world countries as a means to produce these products. They are then sold on poorly-maintained websites for a hugely inflated price. These kinds of vendors are most prominent during the holiday season, as discretion by consumers is thrown to the wayside with the mad rush to secure last-minute gifts or a good deal.  

To read more news and exclusive features see our latest issue here.

Never miss a story… Follow us on:
LinkedIn Security Buyer
Twitter logo @SecurityBuyer
Facebook @SecbuyerME

Media Contact
Rebecca Morpeth Spayne,
Editor, Security Portfolio
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922
Email: [email protected]

About Security Buyer

Security Buyer is the leading authority in global security content, delivering expert news, in-depth articles, exclusive interviews, and industry insights across print, digital, and event platforms. Published 10 times a year, the magazine is a trusted resource for professionals seeking updates and analysis on the latest developments in the security sector.

To submit an article, or for sponsorship opportunities, please contact our team below.

Rebecca Spayne picture 2025

Rebecca Spayne

Managing
EDITOR

Georgina Turner image

Georgina Turner

Sales
Manager

Afua Akoto image - Security Buyer

Afua Akoto

Marketing Manager

Read the Latest Issue

Follow us on X

Follow us on X

Click Here

Follow us on LinkedIn

Follow us on LinkedIn

Click Here

Advertise here

Reach decision makers and amplify your marketing

Advertise here

Click Here

Related News

Dallmeier - securitybuyer.com

Dallmeier presents the MK4 revision of the DMS 2400

With the new MK4 revision of the DMS 2400, Dallmeier introduces an even more powerful version of its proven video appliance.
security Institute - securitybuyer.com

Security Institute Announces New Directors

The Security Institute held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the 8th of July at the Millennium Hotel & Conference Centre…
ASSA ABLOY - securitybuyer.com

BG100 Speedgate Recognised with Red Dot Award

Combining an Aesthetically Appealing Design, Function and Innovation, the BG100 Speedgate Sets New Benchmark for …
Product Spotlight - Videx - securitybuyer.com

Product Spotlight – Era Series

VIDEX presents its new series of outdoor compact video door entry systems, Era Series, and showcases their durability, configuration…
Security Institute - SecurityBuyer.com

The Security Institute Hosts Second Young People’s Skill Building

The Security Institute was honoured to host its second annual Young People’s Skill Building Event on Monday 23rd June, held …
Hanwha Vision - Security Buyer

Hanwha Vision unveils powerful AI remote-head camera

Hanwha Vision, the global vision solution provider, launches the AI remote-head camera, featuring a single-body…
Christina Alexander Judge - SecurityBuyer

Christina Alexander Announced as Security Buyer Awards Judge

Security Buyer is proud to announce Christina Alexander as the latest addition to the distinguished judging panel for the Security…
Milestone - SecurityBuyer

Milestone Systems updates across XProtect, BriefCam, Arcules

Milestone Systems today announced updates across its complete security technology portfolio with releases for XProtect
Big Interview Abdullah Tanoli

Big Interview – Hero of Leicester Square

Rebecca Spayne of Security Buyer has the privilege of speaking with a real-life hero, Abdullah Tanoli, the hero of Leicester Square..
Altronix - SecurityBuyer

Altronix POE367 Delivers 277VAC Support

Altronix has expanded its power product line with the new POE367 power supply/charger designed specifically for 277VAC input environments.
Scroll to Top