Kaspersky: Cyber threats for retail and e-commerce will increase in 2026.

Kaspersky's 2026 Cybersecurity Warning

Kaspersky has announced that the widespread adoption of AI-powered shopping tools is enhancing user experience but also bringing new risks to data privacy.

Threats in the Retail Sector

Last year, 14.41% of users in the retail sector faced web-based threats, while 22.20% experienced device-based attacks. In particular, ransomware is causing significant damage in the sector; 8.25% of retail and e-commerce companies experienced such incidents.

Increase in Ransomware

According to Kaspersky's data, the number of B2B users affected by ransomware detections increased by 152% in the period from November 2024 to October 2025 compared to the previous year. This increase is notably attributed to the "Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Dcryptor" malware family.

Phishing Attacks on the Rise

Last year, Kaspersky detected 6.7 million phishing attacks targeting online stores, payment systems, and delivery services. The fact that 50.58% of these attacks directly targeted online stores indicates that these platforms are high-value targets for fraud.

Be Cautious with Mobile Applications!

The increasing use of mobile devices has made shopping and food ordering an indispensable part of daily life. However, according to Kaspersky’s data, even "trusted" looking applications downloaded from official app stores did not provide comprehensive security last year.

Chatbots: The Future of Shopping Tool

Kaspersky's projections for 2026 indicate that chatbots will become standard tools for product discovery in online marketplaces. Users sharing more detailed and natural language requests may create new risks concerning data privacy and management.

Recommendations for User Security

Kaspersky emphasizes that users should be cautious when using AI-powered shopping tools. Do not trust discount announcements received via email or messages; check the sender's address and access the store's website manually.

Anna Larkina stated, "Search habits are changing; by 2025, there will be a shift from simple keyword queries to conversation-based methods. Data management will be critical to maintaining user trust."