August 18, 2025
While you and your team may be returning from vacation, cybercriminals remain relentlessly active. Research from ProofPoint and Check Point reveals a surge in phishing attacks during summer months. Discover 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 platforms, according to Check Point Research. They report a 55% rise in vacation-related domain registrations in May 2025 compared to last year, with over 39,000 new domains—1 in 21 flagged as malicious or suspicious.
Additionally, the back-to-school period triggers a spike in phishing emails impersonating university communications, targeting students and staff alike. Even if your industry isn't directly affected, employees checking personal emails on work devices can inadvertently open the door to cyber threats with a single click.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Team
As AI enhances cybersecurity defenses, it also enables attackers to craft more convincing phishing scams. Training your team to recognize threats is critical to avoid falling victim.
Essential safety measures include:
• Vigilantly scrutinize suspicious emails. Beyond spotting misspellings or poor grammar—which AI can now mimic—inspect sender addresses and visible link texts to verify authenticity.
• Verify URLs carefully. Watch for typos or unusual domain extensions like .today or .info, which are commonly used in fraudulent sites.
• Access websites directly. Instead of clicking links in emails or messages, type the website address into your browser to ensure safety.
• Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA). MFA adds an extra security layer, protecting your credentials and sensitive data even if a breach occurs.
• Exercise caution on public WiFi. When using public networks, always connect through a VPN to secure access to sensitive sites like booking portals or financial accounts.
• Avoid checking personal emails on work devices. Keep personal and professional accounts separate to minimize risk exposure.
• Consult your MSP about endpoint security solutions. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools monitor devices, block phishing attempts, and alert your MSP instantly to contain threats swiftly.
Phishing tactics evolve rapidly, accelerated by AI advancements. The most effective defense is a well-informed team. Stay alert, stay protected!
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