August 18, 2025
While you and your team may be returning refreshed from vacation, cybercriminals remain relentless year-round. Recent research from ProofPoint and Check Point reveals a surge in phishing attacks during summer months. Here's your essential guide to recognizing threats and keeping your data secure.
Why Threats Escalate in Summer
Cybercriminals exploit the summer travel season by masquerading as popular hotel and Airbnb platforms, according to Check Point Research. They've identified a startling 55% rise in new vacation-related domain registrations as of May 2025 compared to last year, with over 39,000 domains recorded. Alarmingly, 1 in 21 of these domains is flagged as suspicious or malicious.
The late summer marks the back-to-school rush, triggering an increase in phishing emails impersonating legitimate university correspondence aimed at students and staff. Even if your business isn't directly impacted, employees accessing personal emails on work devices pose a risk — a single misstep could grant attackers full access to your company's sensitive data.
How to Safeguard Your Organization
Advancements in AI amplify both cybersecurity defenses and the sophistication of phishing scams. Empower yourself and your team by learning the signs of fraudulent communication to prevent dangerous clicks.
Follow these critical security steps:
Watch for suspicious emails. Don't just rely on spotting spelling or grammar mistakes; AI-generated phishing emails often look flawless. Scrutinize the sender's address and hover over links to verify their authenticity.
Verify URLs carefully. Look out for subtle misspellings or unusual domain extensions like .today or .info, common in fraudulent sites.
Access websites directly. Instead of clicking links from emails or messages, type web addresses into your browser yourself to avoid malicious sites.
Activate Multifactor Authentication (MFA). MFA adds an extra layer of protection ensuring that even if login credentials are compromised, your data remains secure.
Exercise caution on public WiFi. Always use a VPN when connecting to public networks, especially when handling sensitive information like booking details or financial accounts.
Keep personal emails off company devices. To minimize risk, avoid using work devices for personal email, messaging, or social media; separate personal and professional accounts accordingly.
Consult your MSP about endpoint security solutions. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools can proactively monitor devices, detect phishing attacks, block harmful downloads, and alert your managed service provider immediately, limiting data exposure.
The landscape of phishing threats evolves rapidly, fueled by AI innovations. Staying informed and educating your team remains your strongest defense. Prioritize knowledge to keep your business secure.
Kick off the season with confidence — click here or give us a call at 702-896-7207 to book your FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call today.
