# Why Phishing Attacks Spike In August | Ener Systems, LLC

Source: https://www.enersystems.com/blog/why-phishing-attacks-spike-in-august/

> Cybercriminals ramp up phishing attacks during summer and back-to-school seasons, exploiting travel and university trends. Learn how to recognize threats and safeguard your team with essential cybersecurity strategies to keep your business secure.

# Why Phishing Attacks Spike In August

August 18, 2025

While you and your team may be returning from vacation, cybercriminals relentlessly operate without pause. Research from [ProofPoint](https://www.proofpoint.com/us/threat-insight/post/seems-phishy-back-school-lures-target-university-students-and-staff) and [Check Point](https://blog.checkpoint.com/research/check-point-research-warns-of-holiday-themed-phishing-surge-as-summer-travel-season-begins/) reveals a notable surge in phishing attacks throughout summer. Discover crucial strategies to stay vigilant and safeguard your business this season.

**The Reason Behind the Summer Spike**

Hackers capitalize on summer travel trends by mimicking popular hotel and Airbnb sites, according to Check Point Research. They observed a 55% rise in new vacation-related domain registrations in May 2025 versus last year. Out of more than 39,000 domains, approximately 1 in 21 were flagged as malicious or suspicious.

As the late summer marks back-to-school season, there's a sharp increase in phishing campaigns impersonating university emails targeted at both students and staff. Even if your field isn't directly affected, employees checking personal emails on work devices risk exposing your entire network with just one click.

**How to Protect Yourself and Your Team**

Though AI enhances cybersecurity, it also enables attackers to craft increasingly deceptive phishing scams. It's critical to educate yourself and your team on spotting threats and avoiding harmful links.

Essential safety measures include:

**Stay alert for suspicious emails.** Don't rely solely on spotting spelling or grammar errors—AI can generate convincing text. Verify the sender's email address and inspect links carefully for authenticity.

**Scrutinize URLs.** Watch for misspellings and uncommon domain extensions like .today or .info, often used in fraudulent sites.

**Access websites directly.** Instead of clicking email links, manually search for official websites to avoid phishing traps.

**Activate Multifactor Authentication (MFA).** MFA adds a vital layer of security, ensuring that even if credentials are compromised, your data remains protected.

**Exercise caution with public WiFi.** When using public networks, employ a VPN to safely access sensitive portals such as booking sites or banking platforms.

**Avoid checking personal emails on work devices.** Mixing personal and business accounts poses a security risk. Keep personal communications on personal devices and reserve work devices for professional use only.

**Consult your MSP about endpoint security solutions.** Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools monitor devices, detect malware or phishing attempts, and alert your MSP immediately to limit potential breaches.

Phishing threats evolve daily, with AI accelerating their sophistication. Keeping your team informed is your strongest defense. Stay proactive, stay secure!

Kick off the season with confidence—click here or call us at [(985) 302-3083](tel:985-302-3083) to schedule A Quick Call today.

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