August 18, 2025
While you and your team return from summer vacations, cybercriminals remain relentlessly active. Research from ProofPoint and Check Point reveals a surge in phishing attacks during the summer months. Here's how to stay vigilant and safeguard your business.
Why Are Summer Months Riskier?
Cyber attackers exploit the summer travel season by masquerading as hotel and Airbnb sites, according to Check Point Research. They observed a 55% rise in newly registered travel-related domains in May 2025 compared to last year, with over 39,000 domains created—1 in 21 flagged as suspicious or malicious.
Additionally, the back-to-school period triggers a spike in phishing emails impersonating university communications, targeting both students and staff. Even if your business isn’t in education, employees checking personal emails on work devices can inadvertently expose your company’s sensitive data through a single click.
How to Protect Your Team and Data
As AI enhances cybersecurity defenses, it also enables attackers to craft more convincing phishing attempts. Training your team to recognize threats is critical to preventing breaches.
Follow these essential safety measures:
• Scrutinize suspicious emails. Don’t rely solely on spotting spelling mistakes or awkward phrasing—AI-generated emails can be flawless. Verify the sender’s email address and carefully inspect any visible links.
• Verify URLs carefully. Watch for misspelled domains or unusual extensions like .today or .info, which are common in scam sites.
• Access websites directly. Instead of clicking links in emails or messages, manually type the website address or use a search engine.
• Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA). MFA adds a critical security layer, protecting your accounts and data even if login credentials are compromised.
• Use caution on public WiFi. When accessing sensitive information over public networks, always use a VPN to shield your data.
• Avoid personal email on work devices. Keep personal and work accounts separate to minimize risk.
• Consult your MSP about endpoint security. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools monitor devices, block phishing and malware, and alert your MSP instantly to contain threats.
Phishing tactics grow more sophisticated daily, accelerated by AI advancements. The strongest defense is a well-informed team aware of these evolving threats. Stay educated, stay secure!
Kick off the season with confidence—click here or call us at 312-564-5446 to schedule your FREE Initial Consultation today.
