August 18, 2025
While you and your team return refreshed from vacation, remember that cybercriminals never pause their attacks. Research from ProofPoint and Check Point reveals a notable surge in phishing scams during the summer months. Here's how to stay vigilant and safeguard your business.
Why Are Summer Months Riskier?
Cyber attackers exploit the summer travel season by masquerading as hotel and Airbnb booking sites, according to Check Point Research. They report a 55% rise in new vacation-related domain registrations in May 2025 compared to last year, with over 39,000 domains created—one in 21 flagged as malicious or suspicious.
Additionally, the back-to-school period triggers a spike in phishing emails impersonating universities, targeting students and staff alike. Even if these threats don’t directly impact your sector, employees checking personal emails on work devices can inadvertently expose your company’s data with a single click.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Team
With AI enhancing both cybersecurity defenses and phishing sophistication, training your team to identify threats is more critical than ever.
Follow these essential safety tips:
• Watch for suspicious emails. Don’t rely solely on spotting typos or poor grammar—AI-generated phishing emails can appear flawless. Always verify sender addresses and scrutinize link text carefully.
• Verify URLs meticulously. Look out for misspelled links or uncommon domain extensions like .today or .info, which are often used by scammers.
• Access websites directly. Instead of clicking on links in emails or messages, manually type the website address into your browser.
• Activate Multifactor Authentication (MFA). MFA adds an extra layer of security, protecting your login credentials and sensitive data even if a breach occurs.
• Exercise caution on public WiFi. When using public networks, always connect through a VPN to protect sensitive information like booking details or financial accounts.
• Avoid accessing personal emails on work devices. Separating personal and professional accounts helps reduce the risk of cross-contamination from phishing attacks.
• Consult your MSP about endpoint security solutions. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools monitor devices in real time, block phishing attempts, and alert your MSP immediately to minimize data exposure.
Phishing scams are evolving rapidly, fueled by AI advancements. The best defense is a well-informed team equipped with the latest knowledge. Stay alert, stay protected!
Kick off the season with confidence—click here or call us at (210) 582-5814 to schedule your FREE Discovery Call today.
