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Cyber Monday Is America’s Favorite Fake Holiday

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 02: FedEx employee, Juan Alvarez, sorts through packages at a shipping center that are heading out for delivery on Cyber Monday on December 2, 2013 in Miami, Florida. With the holiday shopping season starting and more holiday shoppers expected to use the internet, FedEx is expected to make 22 million shipments around the world Monday, an 11 percent year-over-year increase. The company expects to make more than 85 million shipments through Saturday. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Photo: Joe Raedle/2013 Getty Images

While Black Friday sales were underwhelming this year, Cyber Monday was on track to be the biggest day ever for online shopping. By 6 p.m. Eastern time on Monday, online sales were up 17.5 percent from last year, according to IBM Digital Analytics Benchmark. Comscore estimated that shoppers would spend about $2 billion, up from $1.46 billion a year ago. The news seems good for both retailers and consumers, who scored some discounts without the risk of being elbowed by other shoppers. However, the Washington Post put a damper on things by noting that with increased online sales comes more cyber crime. “I would expect a sharp increase in scams this year,” said Cameron Camp, security researcher at the information technology firm ESET. At least we don’t have to worry about being hit in the head with Prime Air drones yet.

Cyber Monday Is America’s Favorite Fake Holiday