August 18, 2025
While you and your team return from vacation, cybercriminals remain relentlessly active. Recent research from ProofPoint and Check Point reveals a significant surge in phishing attacks during the summer months. Here's how you can stay vigilant and safeguard your business.
Why Are Summer Months Riskier?
Cyber attackers exploit the summer travel season by mimicking popular hotel and Airbnb websites, according to Check Point Research. They observed a 55% increase in new vacation-related domain registrations in May 2025 compared to last year, with over 39,000 domains created—one in every 21 flagged as malicious or suspicious.
Additionally, the back-to-school period triggers a rise 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 can inadvertently expose your company to cyber threats with just one wrong click.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Team
As AI technology enhances cybersecurity defenses, it also enables attackers to craft more convincing phishing emails. Training your team to recognize these threats is crucial to prevent breaches.
Follow these essential safety tips to reduce your risk:
• Vigilantly scrutinize suspicious emails. Don't rely solely on spotting spelling errors or poor formatting—AI can create polished phishing emails. Always verify the sender's email address and hover over links to check their authenticity.
• Carefully inspect URLs. Watch for misspellings 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, type the website address yourself to avoid fraudulent sites.
• Activate Multifactor Authentication (MFA). MFA adds an extra security layer, protecting your login credentials and sensitive data even if a breach occurs.
• Use caution on public WiFi. If you must connect via public networks, employ a VPN to securely access sensitive information like booking platforms or banking sites.
• Keep personal emails off company devices. Avoid mixing personal accounts with work devices to minimize exposure to phishing risks.
• Consult your MSP about endpoint security. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools monitor your devices, block phishing attempts, and alert your MSP immediately if a breach occurs, significantly reducing data exposure.
Phishing attacks are evolving rapidly, fueled by advances in AI. Staying informed and educating your team is the strongest defense to keep your business secure.
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