Why Hackers Love August — And What Your Business Can Do About It

As summer winds down and people return from vacations, cybercriminals are just getting started. While you're catching up on e-mails and planning for fall, hackers are taking advantage of the season to trick unsuspecting users—especially with phishing scams.

Summer Is Prime Time for Phishing

Phishing is when scammers send fake emails or texts to trick you into clicking a bad link or giving away your login details. And in late summer, these kinds of attacks tend to rise sharply. Why? Because people are more distracted—and hackers know it.

Travel is a big part of the problem. With so many people planning trips or coming back from one, hackers create fake hotel, airline, or rental websites to fool users into clicking. Some cybersecurity researchers noticed that in May 2025 alone, over 39,000 new travel-related sites popped up—and nearly 1 in 20 were flagged as risky or harmful.

Another seasonal danger? Back-to-school scams. Hackers send fake emails pretending to be from colleges or schools. Even if you don’t work in education, employees who are in school—or have kids in school—might open these emails at work. And it takes just one click on the wrong link to put your entire business network at risk.  Discover more about Trending Scams & Security Threats To Be Aware Of

Smarter Tricks Thanks to AI

Today’s phishing emails aren’t full of typos or strange formatting like they used to be. With the help of AI, scammers can write messages that look polished and professional. That makes it harder to spot a fake.

This is why basic security steps aren't enough anymore. Businesses need to stay sharp and make sure everyone on the team knows what to look for.

How to Stay Protected (Without Getting Overwhelmed)

Here are a few smart habits that can help keep your business safe this summer—and all year long:

1. Check the Email Details

Look closely at who sent the message. Even if the name looks familiar, the email address might be slightly off. Hover over links before clicking, and be cautious of anything that feels urgent or pushy. Learn more about Business Email Compromise.

2. Be Wary of Weird Website Links

Some scammers use unusual web addresses, like ones ending in .info or .click. If something looks odd, it probably is. If something feels off, skip the link and search for the site yourself to make sure you’re going to the real page.

3. Don’t Mix Personal and Work Accounts

Using your personal email on a work device is risky. So is checking your business inbox on a public network. Keep your personal stuff on personal devices, and stick to business accounts on work computers.

4. Turn On Multifactor Authentication (MFA)

MFA adds another step when you log in, like a code from your phone or an app. This simple step adds a strong layer of defense that makes it much harder for intruders to get in.

5. Use a VPN on Public WiFi

If you need to connect to work while on vacation or in a coffee shop, use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN hides your online activity, making it more difficult for anyone to spy on what you’re doing.

6. Ask Your IT Provider About Advanced Protection

Security software like endpoint monitoring can spot suspicious activity in real time. It’s like having a watchdog for your company’s laptops, phones, and desktops—ready to alert your IT team before anything serious happens.

Final Thought: Education Is Your Best Shield

Hackers are constantly evolving their tactics, and new threats are popping up all the time. But the best defense is still the simplest one: awareness.

If your team knows what to watch out for, they’re much less likely to fall for a scam—and that could save your business thousands of dollars and a lot of stress.

Unsure if your current setup can handle modern phishing threats? Let’s talk it through. Let’s connect. We’ll walk you through your current setup and show you where the weak spots are—no pressure, no tech jargon, just straight answers.