Why Phishing Attacks Spike in August

Why Phishing Attacks Spike in August

Phishing attacks don’t take a vacation, even if you and your team do. In fact, they surge in late summer, when cybercriminals know employees are distracted by travel, back-to-school, and catching up on work.

We’re watching your back, and here’s what you need to know to stay protected.

Why the Risk Increases

Attackers know how to exploit the season:

• Travel scams: Fake hotel and Airbnb sites are on the rise. Check Point Research found a 55% jump in vacation-related website domains in May 2025, with one in 21 flagged as malicious.

• Back-to-school scams: Fraudulent university emails are popping up, targeting students, parents, and staff. Even if your business isn’t in education, an employee checking personal email on a work device can be the weak link.

It only takes one wrong click to open the door.

How AI Is Changing the Game

Generative AI has supercharged phishing. Attackers can now craft emails that look authentic, no broken English, no obvious red flags. Recent studies show AI-driven phishing emails fool more than half of recipients. That’s why relying on “spotting typos” is no longer enough.

Training Is Your Best Defense

Technology alone can’t solve this. Regular awareness training and phishing simulations keep your team sharp and ready to spot the tricks. Think of it as cybersecurity muscle memory.

Safety Tips That Still Work

• Pause before you click: Unexpected urgency is a red flag.

• Check the link: Hover to see where it really goes.

• Go direct: Type web addresses instead of clicking email links.

• Enable MFA: One of the easiest, most effective defenses.

• Avoid public WiFi: Especially for sensitive accounts.

• Separate personal from work: Don’t mix personal email on company devices.

Lean on Us for Endpoint Security

Even the best-trained employees can make mistakes. That’s why we recommend Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)—advanced software that continuously monitors laptops, phones, and tablets for suspicious behavior. It catches threats that traditional antivirus misses.

Key Takeaways

• Phishing spikes in August: Travel and back-to-school scams are everywhere.

• AI makes scams harder to spot: The old warning signs don’t always apply.

• Training builds awareness: Simulations and refreshers reduce risk.

• EDR strengthens protection: Real-time monitoring for ransomware and malware.

• Layered defense wins: Training + MFA + EDR = your best protection.