August 18, 2025
While you and your team return from vacation, remember that cybercriminals are relentlessly active. Recent research from ProofPoint and Check Point reveals a notable increase in phishing attacks during the summer months. Here's how to stay vigilant and safeguard your business.
Understanding The Rising Threat
Cyber attackers exploit the summer travel season by masquerading as hotel and Airbnb platforms, according to Check Point Research. They've identified a 55% surge in new vacation-related website domains in May 2025 compared to last year, with over 39,000 domains registered—1 in 21 marked as malicious or suspicious.
As the school year approaches, phishing attempts mimicking authentic university emails increase, targeting students and staff alike. Even if your business isn't directly affected, employees checking personal emails on work devices can inadvertently expose your company's data with a single click.
Effective Strategies To Protect Your Business
With AI enhancing both cybersecurity defenses and the sophistication of phishing scams, educating yourself and your team on identifying threats is critical to prevent accidental breaches.
Follow these essential safety measures:
• Vigilantly scrutinize suspicious emails. Beyond checking for typos and formatting errors, verify the sender's email address and any visible link text, as AI-generated phishing emails can appear highly convincing.
• Carefully inspect URLs. Watch for misspelled domains or uncommon extensions like .today or .info, which are often linked to scam websites.
• Access websites directly. Instead of clicking links in messages, manually enter website addresses or use trusted search engines to avoid phishing traps.
• Activate Multifactor Authentication (MFA). MFA adds an extra layer of security, protecting your accounts and sensitive data even if login credentials are compromised.
• Exercise caution with public WiFi. When using public networks, employ a VPN to secure your connection, especially when handling sensitive information like bookings or financial accounts.
• Avoid checking personal emails on work devices. Keeping personal and professional accounts separate reduces the risk of cross-contamination and potential breaches.
• Consult your MSP about endpoint security solutions. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools monitor your devices, detect and block phishing attempts, and alert your service provider immediately if a breach occurs, significantly minimizing data exposure.
Phishing tactics evolve rapidly, fueled by AI advancements. Empowering your team with knowledge is your strongest defense. Stay alert, stay informed, and protect your business.
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