You might be coming back from vacation, but cybercriminals never hit pause. In fact, phishing attacks spike in the summer, especially in August, when out-of-office replies, back-to-school distractions, and travel bookings are at their peak.

You’re relaxed. Your guard is down. That’s exactly what attackers are counting on.

Why Hackers Love August

Cybercriminals are opportunists. They track seasonal behaviors, mimic trusted brands, and blend in with the noise of everyday email. Lately, they’ve been targeting:

• Travelers: According to Check Point Research, there’s been a 55% increase in vacation-related domain registrations. Fake hotel sites, phony booking confirmations, and counterfeit airline messages are all on the rise and many look nearly identical to the real thing.
• Students and staff: With back-to-school emails flooding inboxes, attackers spoof legitimate university communications to harvest credentials which often get reused across work and personal accounts.
• Busy professionals: A quick glance at a personal email during a break could expose your entire company. It only takes one accidental click on a fake Airbnb confirmation or school form to open the door.

What Makes Phishing So Dangerous Now?

AI has changed the game for the good guys and the bad ones.

While AI-powered tools are helping us strengthen defenses, they’re also helping attackers craft smarter, cleaner, more convincing emails. Gone are the obvious typos and red flags. Today’s phishing messages look polished and professional and are harder to spot than ever.

Summer Security Checklist: How to Protect Your Team

Here’s how to outsmart even the most convincing phishing attempts:

• Slow Down and Inspect. Don’t trust a message just because it looks “clean.” Examine:
  • The sender’s email address
  • The URL of any link (hover to preview before clicking)
  • The tone and urgency (phishing emails often pressure you to act fast)
• Don’t Click. Get into the habit of typing in URLs directly or using bookmarked links. Never log into anything important through an emailed link.
• Watch for Weird Domain Names. Domains like .today, .info, or slight misspellings (airbnb-booking.co) are common tricks. If it feels off, it probably is.
• Enable MFA Everywhere. Multifactor Authentication is your best friend. Even if credentials are stolen, MFA makes it significantly harder for attackers to gain access.
• Avoid Public Wi-Fi Without a VPN. Public networks are playgrounds for cybercriminals. If you’re logging into anything sensitive like travel portals, banking, or even email, use a VPN or wait until you’re on a secure connection.
• Keep Work and Personal Accounts Separate. That “one quick check” of personal email on a work device? It’s not worth the risk. Keep business devices focused on business only.
• Deploy Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR). EDR acts like a watchtower across your company’s devices. It monitors behavior, blocks malicious activity, and sends up a signal if anything suspicious gets through, giving your team time to act fast.

Bottom Line: Phishing Isn’t Slowing Down

If anything, it’s getting more advanced, more targeted, and more believable.

That’s why your greatest defense isn’t just a tool, it’s a team that knows what to look for.
Regular training, clear protocols, and smart tools like EDR can keep your business from falling for the bait.

👉 Book a free cybersecurity assessment and make sure your defenses are ready for anything this season throws your way.