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Don’t Let Scammers Steal Your Holiday Cheer: New Norton Report Reveals Nearly Half of U.S. Consumers Were Targeted by a Scam While Online Shopping

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Norton’s Cyber Safety Sunday Helps Shoppers Stay Safe Ahead of the Peak Holiday Shopping Season

TEMPE, Ariz. and PRAGUE, Oct. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Holiday shopping is in full swing, with over 60% of Americans ready to click “add to cart” for most of their purchases this holiday season. But it’s not just shoppers gearing up – scammers are, too. Nearly half (48%) of U.S. consumers report being targeted by a scam while holiday shopping online, according to the 2024 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report: Holiday. Additionally, more than half (53%) of Americans are worried about Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping scams. Norton, a consumer Cyber Safety brand of Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), encourages people to take time on Cyber Safety Sunday, December 1st, to prepare to safely shop online this holiday season and bolster their defenses against cybercriminals and scammers.

‘Tis the Season for Shopping and Scamming

Cyber Safety Sunday is observed the Sunday after Thanksgiving and is a day for shoppers to take proactive steps to prioritize their online safety ahead of shopping Cyber Week deals, booking holiday travel, and more. Nearly half of Americans (48%) will do most of their holiday shopping between Black Friday and Cyber Monday – making it not only the busiest time of the year for shoppers – but also scammers. Thirty percent of Americans say they have been targeted by a scam while holiday shopping online. Of the two fifths (43%) who fell victim, 30% report the scam happened on Black Friday, 11% on Cyber Monday and 30% on Christmas.

“The holidays can be a hectic time, and when we are busy or looking for ways to save money, sometimes we let our guard down,” said Leyla Bilge for Norton. “This Cyber Safety Sunday, we encourage everyone to take a few simple steps that will go a long way to help you stay safe online this season. Stick to sites you trust, stay educated on common scams, update passwords, set fraud alerts and always think twice before sharing your personal information. Give yourself the gift of peace of mind knowing you’re prepared.”

Rising Concerns Over Cyber Grinches

Of the 90% of Americans buying gifts to spread holiday cheer, 60% will be clicking “add to cart” for most of their presents this season. While online shopping is fun and convenient, the rise in online crime has made shoppers feel less merry and more wary about their online safety. In fact, 62% are concerned about becoming victims of cybercrime this season, with 47% specifically worried about falling for a sophisticated holiday shopping scam. A look deeper into Norton’s data reveals concerns rising from last year:

71% of US consumers are concerned about their personal details being compromised, up 8% YoY. 59% are concerned about being scammed by a 3rd party retailer, up 9% YoY. 59% are concerned about AI shopping scams, up 11% YoY. 

Decking the Halls with Discounts

With the costs of many goods on the rise, everyone’s looking to stretch their holiday budgets a little further, resulting in 87% of U.S. online shoppers spending extra time to look for discount codes. However, it is important to be aware of the information you offer to gain access to these deals, as it can lead to significant privacy risks.  When you enter personal details, such as your name, email or payment information to redeem a discount code, that data could fall into the wrong hands if the website is not secure. Some scammers also create fake promotions or clone legitimate retailer websites to trick consumers into submitting their information, which they can then use for identity theft, financial fraud or to sell on the dark web.

Norton discovered that two thirds (67%) of people have taken some action to receive a discount code. Of these deal seekers, 57% signed up for a mailing list, 39% answered a survey and 30% liked a post or posted on social media. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of people were willing to give personal information including their email (91%), phone number (52%) or home address (35%).

It’s no coincidence that while shoppers are keen for discounts, malvertising and adware are the cyber threats that increase the most dramatically during the holiday season. During last year’s holiday shopping season, Gen data reveals a 53% increase in malvertising attacks – malicious ads often seen by consumers when searching for something such as sales. Adware – malicious software often distributed via malvertising – increased by 227% over the same period.

To stay safe, try to find codes directly from the retailer and not third-party providers. Consider using an alternative email address that you don’t typically use for daily, personal life. Products such as Norton AntiTrack can create these emails for you in a single click. Think twice: Is the discount worth potentially compromising your digital safety or identity?

Enlisting AI Holiday Helpers

Both retailers and consumers are using AI tools to help ease the stress of holiday shopping. Nearly a quarter of people (23%) have interacted with an AI chatbot or assistant and 43% have noticed AI-enhanced search results with personal recommendations while shopping.

While 36% of Americans say that AI recommendations are helpful and could enhance their online shopping experience, most shoppers are still resistant to AI. Fifty-seven percent of people say they would abandon their carts if they could only speak with a chatbot rather than a real customer service representative. Only 26% of shoppers trust AI to handle their personal information securely, and 37% who have interacted with an AI chatbot while holiday shopping online report receiving inaccurate information.

Sleighing Suspicious Social Media Ads

Despite general distrust in social media sites, shoppers continue to click on social ads to purchase holiday gifts. Thirty-seven percent of Americans have purchased a holiday gift from a social ad, with these buyers mainly purchasing through Facebook (60%), Instagram (48%) and TikTok (40%).

Clicking on social media ads can expose people to unnecessary risks such as phishing attacks, malware infections and privacy breaches. Fraudulent ads may lead to fake websites that steal personal information or payment details, and some may download harmful or malicious software onto your device. Despite these risks, 20% of people are still willing to click on a social media ad or email claiming to offer a gift—reminding us all that some “holiday deals” belong on the naughty list.

This Cyber Safety Sunday, take control of your Cyber Safety by using AI to spot scams. Norton Genie is an AI-powered app that provides a fast, easy and free way to check if a message, like an email offering a holiday discount, is a scam. Genie can also review social media links and other suspicious web links, such as those that direct people to track deliveries for holiday gifts, offer gift cards or steer people to fake third-party websites and confirm whether the information or offer is malicious.

Visit Norton.com this Cyber Safety Sunday and throughout the holidays to learn how you can prepare for a safe shopping season and find out about the top scams and more holiday shopping insights in the 2024 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report: Holiday.

About the 2024 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report: Holiday 

The study was conducted online within the United States by Dynata on behalf of Gen from August 30th to September 11th, 2024 among 1,000 adults ages 18 and older. Data is weighted where necessary by age, gender and region, to be nationally representative. 

About Norton

Norton is a leader in Cyber Safety, and part of Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN), a global company dedicated to powering Digital Freedom with a family of trusted consumer brands. Norton empowers millions of individuals and families with award-winning protection for their devices, online privacy, and identity. Norton products and services are certified by independent testing organizations including AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs. Norton is a founding member of the Coalition Against Stalkerware. Learn more at https://us.norton.com/.

Malea Lamb-Hall
Gen 
Press@GenDigital.com 

Courtney Rowles
Edelman for Gen
Courtney.Rowles@Edelman.com

 

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HelloNation Article Highlights Sterile Compounding and Medication Safety With Insights From Compounding Pharmacist Expert Laura Temple

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The article explains how sterile compounded medications are prepared to reduce the risk of contamination and support safe, customized treatments.

AZLE, Texas, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What does sterile compounding mean for medication safety? HelloNation has published an article explaining how sterile compounding helps pharmacies prepare highly specialized medications while adhering to strict contamination-prevention procedures.

The article features insights from Laura Temple, Compounding Pharmacist Expert and Owner of Laura’s Pharmacy in Azle, Texas. It explains that sterile compounding is a specialized process for preparing medications in carefully controlled environments designed to reduce the risk of contamination. Sterile compounded medications are often used for injections, eye drops, IV medications, and other therapies that require the highest levels of cleanliness and precision.

The HelloNation article explains that sterile compounded medications differ from commercially manufactured drugs because they are prepared individually for a patient’s unique medical needs. Physicians may prescribe compounded prescriptions when a patient requires a customized dosage, a combination medication, or a treatment not commercially available. Because these medications often bypass the body’s natural defenses, medication safety depends on strict preparation standards throughout the compounding process.

The article describes how pharmacies that provide sterile compounding rely on cleanroom environments equipped with filtered-air systems, specialized equipment, and contamination-prevention protocols. Pharmacists and technicians follow detailed gowning, sterilization, and handwashing procedures before handling medication ingredients. These measures are designed to support medication safety by limiting exposure to bacteria, particles, and other contaminants.

According to the article, environmental monitoring also plays a critical role in sterile compounding. Temperature control, air quality testing, and routine equipment inspections help maintain consistent preparation standards. The article notes that sterile compounded medications may undergo additional quality assurance checks before being dispensed to patients. These procedures help support both treatment effectiveness and patient safety.

The HelloNation article also explains that pharmacies performing sterile compounding are expected to follow USP guidelines established for sterile preparation. These USP guidelines outline requirements for cleanroom pharmacy operations, environmental testing, employee training, and quality assurance practices. The article emphasizes that maintaining compliance with USP guidelines helps reinforce contamination prevention and consistent preparation standards for compounded prescriptions.

Patients seeking sterile compounded medications may also look for pharmacies that participate in accreditation programs or are overseen by state boards. The article explains that these programs review safety procedures, documentation practices, and facility standards to help maintain medication safety. Regular environmental monitoring and staff competency evaluations are also identified as important safeguards in sterile compounding operations.

The article further explains that communication between pharmacists, healthcare providers, and patients remains an important part of safe compounded prescriptions. Compounding pharmacists review prescriptions carefully, confirm dosing instructions, and evaluate ingredient compatibility before preparation begins. This collaborative approach supports medication safety by reducing the risk of errors and ensuring treatments meet individual patient needs.

The article concludes that sterile compounding continues to play an important role in healthcare, particularly for patients requiring customized therapies that are unavailable through traditional manufacturing channels. Whether preparing IV medications, injectable therapies, or other sterile compounded medications, pharmacies rely on contamination prevention procedures and strict preparation standards to support patient care. The article notes that understanding how sterile compounding works can help patients feel more informed about the safety measures involved in preparing specialized medications.

What Sterile Compounding Means for Medication Safety features insights from Laura Temple, a compounding pharmacist expert at Laura’s Pharmacy in Azle, Texas, on HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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CIOs Forced to Rethink Manual Compliance Processes as Regulatory Complexity Rises, Says Info-Tech Research Group

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Regulatory demands are increasing in volume, complexity, and speed, leaving many organizations reliant on fragmented, manual approaches that slow response times and increase risk. New insights from Info-Tech Research Group show that organizations need to adopt more structured and scalable approaches to keep pace with regulatory change. The firm’s recently published blueprint, Build a Regulatory IT Response Engine, provides frameworks, tools, and step-by-step guidance to help organizations translate regulatory requirements into actionable IT controls and prioritized initiatives.

ARLINGTON, Va., July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Growing regulatory pressure across jurisdictions is forcing organizations to rethink how they interpret, prioritize, and execute compliance requirements. Many IT teams continue to operate with inconsistent processes and limited coordination, resulting in delayed initiatives and increased exposure to financial and reputational risk. Info-Tech’s blueprint, Build a Regulatory IT Response Engine, introduces a coordinated and repeatable approach to help IT leaders operationalize compliance and improve execution outcomes.

Info-Tech’s findings indicate that while organizations recognize the need for faster and more consistent regulatory response, they continue to face barriers such as fragmented interpretation of requirements, weak prioritization, and limited scalability. AI-enabled tools can help streamline analysis and accelerate response planning, but without a coordinated approach grounded in governance and human oversight, those benefits are difficult to realize.

“Regulatory response is becoming too complex to manage through disconnected, manual processes,” says Ahmad Jowhar, senior research analyst at Info-Tech Research Group. “IT leaders need a repeatable way to interpret requirements, prioritize action, and use AI to accelerate planning without losing the governance and oversight needed to execute effectively.”

Key Challenges IT Leaders Face in Regulatory Response

Despite ongoing investments in compliance, organizations continue to face systemic challenges that hinder effective execution. Info-Tech’s blueprint highlights several areas where IT and compliance leaders struggle most:

Fragmented and manual processes that slow regulatory interpretation and response.Inconsistent application of regulatory requirements across teams and jurisdictions.Poor prioritization of IT initiatives, leading to missed deadlines and duplicated effort.Limited scalability to manage increasing regulatory volume and complexity.Misalignment between compliance activities and broader business priorities.

Info-Tech’s Framework for Building a Regulatory IT Response Engine

To address these challenges, Info-Tech recommends a structured, AI-enabled approach that improves consistency, speed, and scalability. The firm’s Build a Regulatory IT Response Engine blueprint outlines the following key priorities for IT leaders:

Define the regulatory landscape: Establish organizational context, governance structures, and a centralized inventory of applicable regulations.Translate requirements into IT controls: Use AI-enabled analysis and structured assessments to convert regulatory obligations into actionable controls.Prioritize IT initiatives: Align initiatives based on cost, effort, impact, and regulatory timelines to reduce execution risk.Build and communicate a roadmap: Develop a clear, resource-aligned roadmap to guide execution and stakeholder alignment.Establish a repeatable process: Continuously monitor, adapt, and refine regulatory response capabilities to maintain compliance over time.

Organizations that adopt this structured approach can move from reactive compliance efforts to a more proactive and scalable model that shortens response timelines, reduces manual effort, and strengthens execution.

The firm’s Build a Regulatory IT Response Engine blueprint includes practical tools such as a Regulation Inventory Tool, a Regulatory Response IT Action Plan Tool, a Communication Deck Template, and a Compliance Program Framework. By applying these resources, IT leaders can standardize regulatory responses, improve prioritization, and help ensure compliance initiatives are executed on time and in alignment with business priorities.

For exclusive and timely commentary from Info-Tech’s experts, including Ahmad Jowhar, and access to the complete Build a Regulatory IT Response Engine blueprint, please contact pr@infotech.com.

About Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group is the “get things done” partner for over 30,000 IT, HR, and marketing leaders worldwide. The fastest growing research and advisory firm, Info-Tech enables leaders to make well-informed decisions and transform their organizations through AI, strategic foresight, step-by-step methodologies, practical tools, industry-leading advisory, and training programs. For nearly 30 years, tens of thousands of private and public organizations have trusted Info-Tech to lead their most important initiatives through periods of change and deliver outcomes that truly matter.

To learn more about Info-Tech’s HR research and advisory services, visit McLean & Company, and for data-driven software buying insights and vendor evaluations, visit the firm’s SoftwareReviews platform.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm’s Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com.

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.

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SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group

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Atomera to Announce Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results and Host Webinar on Tuesday, August 4, 2026

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LOS GATOS, Calif., July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Atomera Incorporated (NASDAQ: ATOM), a semiconductor materials and technology licensing company, announced today that it plans to release its second quarter 2026 financial results after the market closes on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.

The company will host a live video Zoom webinar at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, to discuss the results. The live webinar can be accessed through Atomera’s investor relations website at https://ir.atomera.com. A replay of the webcast will be available for 12 months. To pre-register for the webinar, use the following link.

https://atomera.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OJFbTWe1SIyV69LLdDadCw

About Atomera

Atomera Incorporated is a semiconductor materials and technology licensing company focused on deploying its proprietary, silicon-proven technology into the semiconductor industry. Atomera has developed Mears Silicon Technology™ (MST®), which increases performance and power efficiency in semiconductor transistors. MST can be implemented using equipment already deployed in semiconductor manufacturing facilities and is complementary to other nano-scaling technologies already in the semiconductor industry roadmap.  More information can be found at www.atomera.com 

 

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SOURCE Atomera Incorporated

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