**Web Skimming Attacks Target Major Payment Networks**

As online shopping becomes increasingly prevalent, a hidden threat continues to operate behind the scenes. Researchers have tracked a long-running web skimming campaign that targets businesses connected to major payment networks.

Web skimming is a technique where criminals secretly add malicious code to checkout pages, allowing them to steal payment details as shoppers type them in. These attacks work quietly inside the browser and often leave no obvious signs. Most victims only discover the problem after unauthorized charges appear on their statements.

**What is Magecart?**

Magecart is the name researchers use for groups that specialize in web-skimming attacks. These attacks focus on online stores where shoppers enter payment details during checkout. Instead of hacking banks or card networks directly, attackers slip malicious code into a store's checkout page, written in JavaScript – a common type of website code used to make pages interactive.

Legitimate sites use JavaScript for things like forms, buttons, and payment processing. In Magecart attacks, criminals abuse that same code to secretly copy card numbers, expiration dates, security codes, and billing details as shoppers type them in. The checkout still works, and the purchase goes through, so there is no obvious warning sign.

**Which Payment Providers Are Being Targeted?**

Researchers say this campaign targets merchants tied to several major payment networks, including:

• Large enterprises that rely on these payment providers face a higher risk due to complex websites and third-party integrations
• Other major payment networks

**How Attackers Slip Skimmers into Checkout Pages**

Attackers usually enter through weak points that are easy to overlook. Common entry paths include:

• Vulnerable third-party scripts
• Outdated plugins
• Unpatched content management systems

Once inside, they inject JavaScript directly into the checkout flow. The skimmer monitors form fields tied to card data and personal details, then quietly sends that information to attacker-controlled servers.

**Why Web Skimming Attacks Are Hard to Detect**

To avoid detection, the malicious JavaScript is heavily obfuscated. Some versions can remove themselves when they detect an admin session, making inspections appear clean. Researchers also found the campaign uses bulletproof hosting – providers that ignore abuse reports and takedown requests, giving attackers a stable environment to operate.

Because web skimmers run inside the browser, they can bypass many server-side fraud controls used by merchants and payment providers.

**Who Magecart Web Skimming Attacks Affect Most**

Magecart campaigns impact three groups at the same time:

• Businesses connected to major payment networks
• Credit card holders whose data is stolen through compromised checkout pages
• E-commerce platforms and websites that unknowingly host malicious code

This shared exposure makes detection slower and response more difficult.

**How to Stay Safe as a Shopper**

While shoppers cannot fix compromised checkout pages, a few smart habits can reduce exposure, limit how stolen data is used, and help catch fraud faster:

• Use virtual or single-use cards
• Set up transaction alerts
• Use strong, unique passwords for banking and card portals
• Check if your email has been exposed in past breaches
• Use a data removal service
• Watch for unexpected card activity

By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

**Conclusion**

Magecart web skimming shows how attackers can exploit trusted checkout pages without disrupting the shopping experience. While consumers cannot fix compromised sites, simple safeguards can reduce risk and help catch fraud early. Online payments rely on trust, but this campaign shows why that trust should always be paired with caution.