Seven security products have obtained certification for detecting counterfeit online stores in 2026, due to the increasing reports of counterfeit online stores during holidays.
Innsbruck, Austria, November 6th / PRNewswire / -- Before the arrival of Black Friday on November 27th and the holiday shopping season, AV-Comparatives released its 2026 counterfeit online store detection test. Seven security products for consumers were certified for their ability to reliably alert users to identify fraudulent online stores. For the full results, see: https :// av-comparatives.org / fake-shops-detection-test-2026 / .
Overview:
According to a recent industry report, reports of holiday-themed counterfeit online stores have increased fivefold within 60 days. AV-Comparatives tested security products with 500 genuine counterfeit online store URLs and 100 legitimate shopping websites. A total of seven products obtained counterfeit online store detection certification for 2026.
How serious is the problem of fake online stores this season?
The American company Savi Security stated in its "2026 Holiday Shopping Scam Report" released on October 20th that users of its Scamwise service report a new fake store every three minutes on average, which amounts to about 500 fake stores per day. The number of reported holiday-themed counterfeit shops increased fivefold within 60 days. According to the report, 85% of these fake stores will disappear within two weeks.
Why do short-lived temporary stores need automated protection?
It is difficult to block shops that exist for only a few days in advance, and familiar warning signs such as spelling mistakes or rough design are also becoming less reliable. Security software that can analyze when users visit websites can fill this gap.
"Phony online stores have become so realistic that even experienced online shoppers can be deceived, especially during Black Friday, the holiday shopping season, and other times when everyone is looking for discounts. Security software that can issue warnings before you enter your payment information adds an extra layer of protection," says Thomas Uhlemann, a cybersecurity evangelist.
AV-Comparatives How to test?
From October 1st to 7th, 2026, AV-Comparatives used 500 fake online store URLs to test their products, which were randomly selected from a larger pool of URLs that were still online at that time. The organization also conducted false positive tests on 100 popular and legitimate shopping websites. To obtain certification, the product had to identify at least 80% of the fake online stores without any false positives.
Which products have obtained certification?
Avast Premium Security, Bitdefender Total Security, F- Secure Internet Security, Kaspersky Premium, NordVPN Next - gen antivirus, Norton 360 Deluxe and Norton VPN Ultimate.
What else can consumers do?
Check if there are any spelling mistakes in the website address, be wary of excessively exaggerated discounts, and use payment methods that provide buyer protection.
For the complete results, product reports, and more tips, see: https :// av-comparatives.org / fake-shops-detection-test-2026.
About AV-Comparatives
AV-Comparatives is a leading independent cybersecurity testing organization, and the security solutions it evaluates have far surpassed the scope of traditional antivirus software. Its systematic testing covers modern endpoint protection, threat detection, as well as mobile security on PC, Mac, Android, and IoT devices. AV-Comparatives uses one of the most relevant and complex threat samples in the world to create a real-world testing environment for comprehensive evaluations. The test results are available for free globally, while AV-Comparatives certification provides a globally recognized mark of approval for verified cybersecurity performance.
www.av-comparatives.org
