August 18, 2025
While you and your team return from vacation, cybercriminals remain relentlessly active. Recent research from ProofPoint and Check Point reveals a surge in phishing attacks 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 mimicking hotel and Airbnb sites, according to Check Point Research. They've identified a 55% rise in new travel-related domain registrations in May 2025 compared to last year. Out of more than 39,000 domains, 1 in 21 has been flagged as malicious or suspicious.
Additionally, late summer's back-to-school period triggers a spike in phishing emails impersonating legitimate university communications aimed at students and staff. Even if your industry isn't directly targeted, employees might check personal emails on work devices—providing a single click opportunity for cybercriminals to infiltrate your business data.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Team
While AI enhances cybersecurity defenses and streamlines workflows, it also enables attackers to craft more convincing phishing scams. Training your team to recognize threats is critical to prevent accidental clicks on harmful links.
Follow these essential safety tips:
• Stay alert for suspicious emails. Don't rely solely on spotting spelling errors or awkward phrasing, as AI-generated emails can appear flawless. Scrutinize the sender's email address and hover over links to verify their legitimacy.
• Verify URLs carefully. Watch for misspelled domain names or unusual extensions like .today or .info, which are common in scam websites.
• Access websites directly. Instead of clicking links in emails or messages, type the website address into your browser to avoid fraudulent sites.
• Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA). MFA adds an extra security layer, protecting your accounts and sensitive data even if login credentials are compromised.
• Use caution with public WiFi. When connecting on public networks, always use a VPN to safeguard access to sensitive portals like booking sites or financial accounts.
• Avoid personal email on work devices. Mixing personal and business accounts on company devices increases risk. Keep personal communications on personal devices to maintain security boundaries.
• Consult your MSP about endpoint security. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools monitor devices to detect and block phishing and malware, alerting your MSP instantly to minimize data exposure.
Phishing tactics are evolving rapidly, accelerated by AI advancements. The best defense is a well-informed team equipped to recognize and respond to threats. Stay educated, stay protected!
Kick off the season with confidence - click here or give us a call at 816-233-3777 your FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call today.
