Dubai, UAE – As the holiday shopping season approaches, a recent survey conducted by Kaspersky in the UAE has revealed a radical shift in gift-giving culture. “Virtual gifts” are beginning to rival traditional physical gifts, driven by huge demand from young people, amid security warnings about the rise in phishing attacks.
Young people are leading the “digital gifting revolution”.
The survey revealed that 63% of young Emiratis (aged 18-34) plan to buy digital gifts this year. Meanwhile, the older generation (over 55) remains more traditional, with 46% preferring tangible, physical gifts. Overall, 44% of respondents in the UAE confirmed they have already started giving digital gifts.
Favorites list: Entertainment first, education second
Streaming and entertainment services topped the list as the most attractive gifts, and consumer interests were distributed as follows:
Streaming platforms (Netflix, Spotify): topped the list with 61%.
Online training courses: ranked second with 45%.
Game subscriptions and design software: were equal at 36%.
Digital health (fitness and meditation): received the attention of about 31%.
New trends also emerged, such as personalized greetings from “Santa Claus” or celebrities (23%), and digital postcards.
“Cybersecurity” as a precious gift
In a surprising finding, 38% of respondents considered digital security software, password managers, and VPN services to be “valuable gifts.” This reflects a growing awareness of the need to secure the digital lives of loved ones.
Marina Titova, Vice President of Consumer Business at Kaspersky, commented: “Protecting the digital lives of our loved ones has become an essential part of our duties of care and responsibility. Cybersecurity is no longer just a tool, but a safe space that we give to those we love.”
Warning: Beware the “trap” of late shopping
Despite the advantages, Kaspersky experts warned that cybercriminals are exploiting this surge in activity through fake websites. They are creating platforms that mimic official subscription services using artificial intelligence.
Hamas exploited last-minute tactics to steal banking data, and some personal congratulatory services request sensitive information that could be misused.
Expert advice: Use security solutions with anti-phishing features to secure online payments and block malicious links before you click on them.
