August 18, 2025
While you and your team may be returning from vacation, cybercriminals remain active around the clock. Research from ProofPoint and Check Point reveals a surge in phishing attacks during the summer months. Discover how to stay vigilant and safeguard your business.
Why Does Risk Climb During Summer?
Cyber attackers exploit the summer travel season by mimicking hotel and Airbnb websites, according to Check Point Research. They report a striking 55% rise in new vacation-related website domains in May 2025 compared to the previous year. Alarmingly, 1 in 21 of these 39,000+ domains were identified as malicious or suspicious.
Additionally, the back-to-school period triggers a spike in phishing scams impersonating university emails, targeting students and staff alike. Even if your industry isn't directly affected, employees checking personal emails on work devices during this time can expose your company to serious cyber threats with just one wrong click.
How to Protect Your Business
Although AI enhances cybersecurity defenses and streamlines workflows, it also enables cybercriminals to craft more convincing phishing attempts. Training yourself and your team to recognize these threats is crucial to prevent falling victim.
Implement these essential safety measures:
· Scrutinize suspicious emails. Beyond spotting typos or awkward phrasing, analyze the sender's email address and any visible link text carefully, as AI-generated emails can appear very authentic.
· Verify URLs thoroughly. Watch for misspelled links or unusual domain extensions like .today or .info, which are commonly used by scam sites.
· Access websites directly. Instead of clicking links in emails or messages, manually type the website address or search for it to ensure authenticity.
· Activate Multifactor Authentication (MFA). MFA adds a vital layer of security, protecting your login credentials and sensitive data even if a breach occurs.
· Exercise caution on public WiFi. When using public networks, secure your connection with a VPN, especially when accessing sensitive sites like booking portals or banking.
· Keep personal emails off company devices. Mixing personal and work accounts on business devices increases cyber risk. Use personal devices for personal accounts and work devices strictly for business.
· Consult your MSP about endpoint security. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools monitor devices, block phishing and malware, and alert your MSP instantly during breaches, minimizing data exposure.
Phishing tactics grow more sophisticated daily, accelerated by AI advancements. The best defense is a well-informed team. Stay educated, stay alert, and protect your business.
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