Phishing Attacks in August: Why Small Businesses Need to Stay Alert

You and your employees might be coming back from vacation, but cybercriminals never take a day off. In fact, studies from Proof Point and Check Point show phishing attacks in August are on the rise. The summer season brings new opportunities for attackers to trick employees and it only takes one wrong click to give them access to your business’s data.

Why Phishing Attacks Spike in August

Attackers take advantage of summer travel plans by impersonating hotel, airline, and Airbnb websites. Check Point Research reports a 55% increase in newly registered vacation-related domains in May 2025 compared to last year. Of over 39,000 domains, 1 in every 21 was flagged as malicious or suspicious.

Late summer is also back-to-school season, which means a surge in phishing e-mails pretending to be from universities. Even if your industry isn’t directly affected, employees working toward degrees or planning trips may check personal e-mails on work devices opening the door to a security breach.

How AI Is Changing Phishing Attacks

AI tools make phishing e-mails more convincing than ever. Poor grammar and obvious scams are being replaced with professional-looking messages that can trick even the most cautious employee.

How to Protect Your Business from Phishing Attacks in August

• Scrutinize e-mails carefully. Look beyond grammar and spelling; check the sender’s e-mail address and hover over links to see the real destination.

• Double-check URLs. Watch for misspellings or unusual domain endings like .info or .today.

• Go direct. Instead of clicking links, type the website address directly into your browser.

• Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA). App-based or hardware key MFA is more secure than SMS-based codes.

• Avoid personal e-mail on work devices. Keep personal accounts separate to reduce risk.

• Use endpoint security. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) software can block phishing attempts before they cause damage.

• Be careful on public Wi-Fi. Use a VPN when accessing sensitive data while traveling.

  
  

The Bottom Line

Phishing attacks in August aren’t going away they’re getting more sophisticated. The best defense is an informed, alert team backed by strong security tools.

Start the season secure. Book your FREE Cybersecurity Assessment today to identify hidden vulnerabilities and keep your business safe year-round.

📅 Schedule Your Assessment www.preferred-office.com (479) 782-7991