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Safer Internet Day: AIT supports consumers in the fight against fake shops

10.02.2026
Fake shops are among the most dynamic threats in the digital consumer space. With Fake Shop Detector, AIT has developed a multi-award-winning browser plugin that uses trusted AI and expert-based databases to detect fraudulent online shops in real time, providing effective support to consumers and institutions alike.
 

Fake shops on the internet are becoming increasingly numerous and at the same time more difficult to recognise. Especially around promotional days and discounts, fraudsters are using increasingly professional methods to deceive consumers and steal financial and personal data.

On Safer Internet Day, the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology is drawing attention to effective preventive measures. A key tool is the Fake Shop Detector, developed in close cooperation with the Austrian Institute for Applied Telecommunications (ÖIAT) and IT specialist X-Net.

The browser plugin checks online shops in two steps: First, it compares the shop with a database of reputable and fraudulent shops curated by experts. If a shop is unknown, an AI-based risk assessment is carried out in real time – with 97 per cent reliability.

The Fake Shop Detector is an example of how applied cybersecurity research at AIT contributes to the digital security of consumers.

➡️ More information: Fake-Shop Detector