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 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 masquerading as hotel and Airbnb platforms, according to Check Point Research. They identified a 55% rise in newly registered travel-related domains in May 2025 compared to last year, with over 39,000 domains created; alarmingly, 1 in 21 was flagged as suspicious or malicious.
Additionally, the back-to-school period triggers a spike in phishing campaigns impersonating official university communications aimed at students and staff. Even if your business isn’t directly involved, employees checking personal emails on work devices can inadvertently expose your company data with one wrong click.
Effective Strategies to Protect Your Business
While AI enhances cybersecurity defenses, it also empowers attackers to craft more convincing phishing messages. Training yourself and your team to recognize threats is crucial to prevent breaches.
Follow these essential safety tips:
• Vigilantly scrutinize suspicious emails. Beyond spotting typos or poor formatting, verify sender addresses and hover over links to confirm authenticity, as AI-generated emails can appear highly professional.
• Carefully verify URLs. Watch for misspelled domains or unusual extensions like .today or .info, which are commonly used in scams.
• Access websites directly. Instead of clicking links in emails or messages, type website addresses yourself to avoid phishing traps.
• Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA). MFA adds an extra security layer, protecting login credentials and sensitive data even if a breach occurs.
• Exercise caution on public WiFi. Use a VPN when accessing sensitive information like booking sites or financial accounts over public networks.
• Avoid personal email on work devices. Mixing personal and business accounts on company devices increases risk. Keep personal communications on personal devices.
• Consult your MSP about endpoint security. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools can monitor devices, block phishing attempts, and alert your IT team immediately to minimize data exposure.
Phishing threats evolve rapidly, especially with AI enhancing their sophistication. Empowering your team with knowledge is the strongest defense. Stay alert and protect your business!
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