August 18, 2025
While you and your team may be returning from summer vacations, cybercriminals are relentlessly active year-round. Recent research from ProofPoint and Check Point reveals a notable surge in phishing attacks during the summer months. Discover how to remain vigilant and safeguard your business in this heightened threat landscape.
Why Are Summer Months Riskier?
Cyber attackers exploit the summer travel season by mimicking popular hotel and Airbnb sites, according to Check Point Research. Their findings show a 55% rise in new travel-related website domains registered in May 2025 compared to last year, with over 39,000 domains analyzed. Alarmingly, 1 in 21 of these domains were identified as malicious or suspicious.
Additionally, the back-to-school period sparks an increase in phishing campaigns impersonating university communications, targeting students and staff alike. Even if your industry isn't directly affected, employees checking personal emails on work devices during this time can inadvertently expose your company to cyber threats with just one careless click.
How to Protect Your Business
Although AI enhances cybersecurity defenses and streamlines processes, it also empowers attackers to craft more convincing phishing scams. It's crucial to educate yourself and your team on recognizing these threats to avoid falling victim.
Implement these essential safety measures to reduce risk:
• Vigilantly scrutinize suspicious emails. Don't rely solely on spotting typos or grammatical errors; AI-generated emails can appear flawless. Verify sender addresses and inspect visible links carefully to ensure authenticity.
• Verify URLs meticulously. Watch for misspelled links or unusual domain extensions like .today or .info, which are often linked to fraudulent websites.
• Access websites directly. Instead of clicking links in emails or messages, type URLs into your browser or use trusted search engines to reach sites safely.
• Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA). MFA adds an extra security layer, protecting your accounts and sensitive data even if login credentials are compromised.
• Exercise caution when using public WiFi. Always use a VPN when accessing sensitive information on unsecured networks, such as booking sites or financial accounts.
• Avoid personal email on work devices. Mixing personal and business accounts on company devices increases vulnerability. Keep personal activities on personal devices and reserve work devices strictly for professional use.
• Consult your MSP about endpoint security. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools monitor devices to detect and block phishing attempts and malicious downloads, alerting your Managed Service Provider immediately to minimize potential damage.
Phishing threats evolve rapidly, fueled by advancing AI technology. Staying informed and training your team remains the most effective defense. Prioritize cybersecurity awareness to protect your organization from these sophisticated attacks.
Kick off the season with confidence - click here or call us at 252-240-3399 to schedule your free 15-Minute Discovery Call today.
