Your Vacation Auto-Reply Could Invite Cybercriminals In

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Your vacation auto-reply might be doing more harm than good. Learn how cybercriminals exploit out-of-office messages — and how to protect your business before your next trip.

When you’re packing your bags and turning on your out-of-office message, you’re probably not thinking about cybersecurity. But your vacation auto-reply could be giving hackers everything they need to launch a successful attack.

It might seem harmless:

“Hi there! I’m out of the office until [date]. For urgent matters, please contact [coworker’s name and e-mail].”

Convenient for your team and clients? Sure. But it’s also a gold mine for cybercriminals.

How Your Vacation Auto-Reply Helps Hackers

A typical out-of-office message often reveals more than you realize:

• Your name and job title

• Dates of absence

• Alternate contacts (and their emails)

• Internal team structure

• Even where you’re going ("I'm attending a conference in Chicago...")

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This information allows hackers to:

1. Time their attacks – knowing when you’re unavailable to respond

2. Target specific people – impersonating you or your backup to make urgent-sounding requests

   
   

That’s the setup for a classic phishing or business email compromise (BEC) attack.

Real-World Example: How the Scam Unfolds

1. You set your vacation auto-reply.

2. A hacker scrapes that info and impersonates you or your backup.

3. They send a fake email asking for a wire transfer, password, or sensitive document.

4. Your coworker, acting fast and trying to be helpful, responds.

5. You return from vacation to discover someone just wired $45,000 to a scammer.

   
   

This isn’t rare — especially in small to mid-size businesses with staff frequently on the road.

Why Businesses With Frequent Travelers Are Most at Risk

If your company has traveling executives, salespeople, or team members who rely on admin support, the risk increases. Here's why:

• Admins often field emails from multiple employees

• They're used to handling invoices, wire transfers, and documents

• They work quickly and trust internal requests

  
  

It only takes one convincing email to slip through.

How To Protect Your Business From Auto-Reply Attacks

Out-of-office messages aren’t the problem — but how you craft and support them makes all the difference. Here’s how to stay safe:

1. Keep It Vague

Don’t share details about where you are, when you’ll be back, or who’s covering for you.

Example:

“I’m currently out of the office and will respond when I return. For immediate assistance, contact our main office at [main number/email].”

2. Train Your Team

Teach your staff to:

• Never act on urgent financial or sensitive requests via email alone

• Always verify through another method, like a phone call or text

  
  

3. Use Strong Email Security

Implement tools like:

• Anti-spoofing filters

• Domain protection

• Suspicious login detection

  
  

4. Enable MFA on All Accounts

Multifactor authentication makes it harder for hackers to access accounts, even if passwords are compromised.

5. Partner With a Proactive IT Team

An experienced IT provider can detect threats and monitor activity — even while you’re on the beach.

Want To Enjoy Your Vacation Without Worrying About Your Inbox?

Let’s make sure your systems are protected — even when you're OOO.

👉 Book a FREE Security Assessment

We’ll review your environment for vulnerabilities, set smarter policies, and help you stay one step ahead of cybercriminals — so you can relax without worrying what your inbox is saying behind your back.