August 18, 2025
As you and your team return from vacation, beware: cybercriminals never pause their activities. Studies from ProofPoint and Check Point reveal that phishing attacks actually surge during the summer months. Here's how you can stay vigilant and shield your business from evolving cyber threats.
Why Are Risks Heightened in Summer?
Cybercriminals exploit the summer travel season by impersonating popular hotel and Airbnb websites, according to Check Point Research. They've detected a 55% spike in the registration of vacation-related website domains in May 2025 compared to last year. Alarmingly, out of over 39,000 new domains, one in 21 was flagged as malicious or suspicious.
Additionally, the back-to-school period triggers a rise in phishing emails pretending to be from legitimate universities targeting both students and staff. Even if your industry isn't directly involved, employees checking personal emails on work devices—whether for school or holiday plans—can unknowingly open doors to cyberattacks. Just one click on a malicious link could compromise your entire business.
How To Protect Your Business
Although AI boosts cybersecurity defenses and streamlines processes, it equally equips attackers to craft highly realistic phishing emails. Educate yourself and your team on spotting these threats to prevent accidental clicks on harmful links.
Essential Safety Tips:
- Scrutinize suspicious emails. Don't rely solely on spotting spelling mistakes or poor formatting—AI-generated emails can mimic professional communication flawlessly. Always verify sender addresses and examine visible hyperlink texts for legitimacy.
- Verify URLs carefully. Watch out for misspelled domain names or uncommon extensions like .today or .info, which are commonly used in scams.
- Access websites directly. Instead of clicking links in emails or messages, type the website's URL into your browser to avoid phishing traps.
- Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA). MFA adds a robust layer of security, ensuring that even if credentials are compromised, unauthorized access remains blocked.
- Be cautious with public WiFi. When using public networks, protect sensitive data by connecting through a VPN, especially for activities like bookings or banking.
- Keep personal emails off work devices. Accessing personal accounts on business devices increases vulnerability. Separate personal and work digital environments.
- Consult your MSP about endpoint security. Advanced Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools monitor devices, intercept phishing attempts and malicious downloads, and promptly alert your MSP to minimize data risks.
Phishing attacks grow smarter daily, fueled by advancing AI technology. The best defense is a well-informed team who recognizes and avoids these dangers. Stay educated, stay protected.
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