August 18, 2025
While you and your team may be returning from vacation, cybercriminals are relentlessly active. Research from ProofPoint and Check Point reveals a notable surge in phishing attacks during the summer months. Here's how you can stay vigilant and safeguard your business.
Why Are Summer Months More Risky?
Cyber attackers exploit the summer travel season by mimicking popular hotel and Airbnb websites, according to Check Point Research. They observed a 55% rise in newly registered travel-related domains in May 2025 compared to the previous year. Out of over 39,000 domains, one in 21 was identified as malicious or suspicious.
Additionally, the late summer back-to-school period triggers an increase in phishing campaigns impersonating university emails aimed at students and staff. Even if this doesn't directly impact your sector, employees accessing personal emails on work devices during this time can inadvertently open doors to cyber threats. Just one mistaken click can compromise your entire business data.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Team
With AI enhancing both cybersecurity defenses and phishing attack sophistication, training your team to recognize threats is crucial. Here are essential safety measures to reduce your risk:
Stay alert for suspicious emails. Don’t rely solely on spotting typos or poor formatting—AI can craft convincing messages. Verify the sender's email address and carefully inspect any visible links for authenticity.
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 links in emails or messages, type the website address yourself to avoid phishing traps.
Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA). MFA adds an extra layer of security, protecting your login credentials and sensitive data even if a breach occurs.
Use caution on public WiFi. When connecting to public networks, always use a VPN to shield your data, especially when handling sensitive tasks like bookings or banking.
Keep personal emails off company devices. Mixing personal and work accounts on the same device increases vulnerability. Use personal devices for personal accounts and work devices strictly for business.
Consult your MSP about endpoint security. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions monitor your devices, block phishing attempts and malicious downloads, and notify your MSP immediately if a breach occurs, minimizing data exposure.
Phishing attacks are evolving rapidly, fueled by AI advancements. The best defense is keeping your team informed and cautious. Stay educated, stay protected!
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