Why Phishing Attacks Spike In August

While you and your team may be returning from summer vacations, cybercriminals are relentlessly active. Recent research from ProofPoint and Check Point reveals a notable surge in phishing attacks during the summer months. Here's how to stay vigilant and safeguard your business.

Why Is The Threat Heightened In Summer?

Cyber attackers exploit the summer travel season by mimicking popular hotel and Airbnb sites, according to Check Point Research. They've identified a 55% rise in new vacation-related website domains created in May 2025 compared to last year. Alarmingly, out of more than 39,000 registered domains, one in every 21 was flagged as malicious or suspicious.

Additionally, the late summer back-to-school period triggers a wave of phishing emails posing as legitimate 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 to cyber threats with a single click.

Effective Strategies To Protect Your Business

While AI enhances cybersecurity defenses, it also enables attackers to craft more convincing phishing scams. Educating yourself and your team on identifying threats is critical to preventing breaches.

Implement these essential safety measures:

• Vigilantly scrutinize suspicious emails. Don't rely solely on spotting typos or poor grammar—AI can generate polished phishing emails. Verify the sender's email address and carefully inspect link texts for authenticity.

• Verify URLs thoroughly. Watch for misspellings or unusual domain extensions like .today or .info, which are often linked to scam websites.

• Access websites directly. Instead of clicking links in emails or messages, manually type the website address or use a trusted search engine.

• Activate Multifactor Authentication (MFA). MFA adds an extra security layer, protecting your accounts and sensitive data even if login credentials are compromised.

• Exercise caution with public WiFi. When using public networks, always connect through a VPN to secure your access to sensitive sites like booking portals or financial accounts.

• Avoid personal email on work devices. Mixing personal and business accounts on company devices increases cyber risk. Keep personal activities on personal devices and work tasks on work devices.

• Consult your MSP about endpoint security. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools monitor devices in real time, block phishing attempts, and alert your managed service provider instantly to minimize data exposure.

Phishing threats are evolving rapidly, fueled by AI advancements. The most powerful defense is a well-informed team. Stay alert, stay educated, and keep your business protected.

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