Cybercriminals Don’t Take Vacations – Here’s How Small Businesses Can Stay Protected This Summer.

As your team returns from summer vacations, don’t assume cybercriminals are taking a break. They’re not. In fact, research from ProofPoint and Check Point shows that phishing attacks spike during the summer months, making it a critical time to review your company’s cybersecurity.

Why the Risk of Cyberattacks Increases in the Summer

Attackers are experts at exploiting seasonal habits. According to Check Point Research, hackers are creating fake travel-related websites designed to trick employees into clicking. In May 2025 alone, there was a 55% increase in vacation-related website domains compared to the year before. Out of 39,000 new domains, about 1 in 21 was flagged as suspicious or malicious.

Back-to-school season also presents risks. Phishing emails disguised as university messages target both students and staff. While this may not seem to affect your business directly, it can when employees pursuing advanced degrees—or simply planning vacations—check personal email on company computers. It only takes one click on a malicious link for attackers to gain access to your entire business network.

Cybersecurity for Small Businesses: What You Can Do

Artificial intelligence is improving both cybersecurity defenses and cyberattacks. While Managed Service Providers (MSPs) now use AI tools to block threats faster, attackers also leverage AI to make phishing emails more convincing. This makes employee awareness training more important than ever.

Here are seven practical cybersecurity tips to keep your business safe:

1. Scrutinize emails closely. Don’t rely solely on spotting typos—AI can produce polished messages. Always verify the sender’s email address and hover over links before clicking.

2. Check all URLs. Misspellings or odd domain endings like .info or .today can be a red flag for phishing websites.

3. Go directly to websites. Type in the address yourself or use a search engine instead of clicking links in emails or texts.

4. Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA). MFA provides an extra layer of phishing protection even if a password is stolen.

5. Avoid public Wi-Fi risks. If you must connect, use a VPN to protect sensitive information like logins, financial transactions, or booking systems.

6. Separate personal and work accounts. Keep personal email and social media on personal devices to reduce exposure to malware and phishing attempts.

7. Ask your MSP about endpoint security. Solutions like Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) monitor devices for suspicious activity, block phishing attacks, and alert your IT team in real time.

Stay Ahead of Phishing Attacks with the Right IT Support

Phishing scams are evolving daily—and AI makes them even harder to spot. That’s why partnering with an experienced Managed IT Service Provider is one of the best investments your company can make. Whether you’re in construction, manufacturing, aggregate, or waste management, keeping your IT environment secure is just as important as keeping your equipment running.

Start the season on the right foot— click HERE to schedule your FREE Cybersecurity Assessment with We Do IT USA today. We’ll help ensure your systems are protected, your employees are trained, and your business stays one step ahead of cybercriminals.