You might be easing back into the office after a summer getaway, but cybercriminals? They never clock out. In fact, August is one of the busiest months of the year for phishing attacks, and Houston small businesses are right in the crosshairs.
Multiple cybersecurity vendors, including ProofPoint and Check Point, have reported that phishing attempts surge during the summer months. And if your employees are booking vacations, checking personal email on company devices, or distracted by the back-to-school rush, the risk only grows.
Let’s break down why phishing spikes this time of year, and how your Houston-based business can stay protected.
Summer Scams: Why Phishing Increases During Travel Season
According to Check Point Research, attackers are taking full advantage of the summer travel season by spoofing hotel, airline, and Airbnb websites. In May 2025 alone, researchers noted a 55% year-over-year increase in vacation-related domain registrations.
Of the 39,000+ domains created, 1 in 21 were flagged as suspicious or outright malicious. These fake sites are designed to trick users into sharing login credentials, payment details, or clicking on malware-laced links.
Houston employees booking trips, or simply dreaming about one, could unknowingly open the door to a cyberattack if they check these phishing emails from work devices.
Back-to-School Season: Another Opening for Hackers
August also marks the start of the academic year, which comes with another uptick in phishing activity. Attackers impersonate college admissions offices, student loan services, or university portals, tricking recipients into entering sensitive information.
Even if your business isn’t in education, this still affects your workplace. If an employee is pursuing a degree, has a student in college, or just clicks the wrong email on a work computer, it could expose your entire business to a data breach.
How Houston Businesses Can Stay Safe from Phishing Attacks
Today’s phishing emails aren’t riddled with typos or cartoonish red flags. Thanks to AI, many now look polished and believable—which makes security awareness more important than ever.
Here’s how your team can defend against the rise in phishing threats:
1. Be Suspicious of Unexpected Emails
Don’t just skim for typos. Even well-written emails can be dangerous. Look closely at:
- The sender’s email address (is it spelled correctly?)
- The link text (hover over links before clicking)
- Generic greetings like “Dear user” or unusual urgency
2. Check URLs for Accuracy
Fake domains often use slightly misspelled names or odd endings like .site, .today, or .info. If it looks off, don’t click: search for the site directly in your browser.
3. Never Click Travel or Payment Links in Email
Booking a hotel or flight? Go straight to the provider’s website. Avoid clicking any links from “confirmation” emails unless you’re 100% sure they’re legit.
4. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA is one of the simplest and most effective defenses against phishing. Even if a hacker steals your password, MFA can stop them from accessing your systems.
5. Don’t Use Company Devices for Personal Email
Accessing personal email or social media accounts on work devices is risky. Keep personal browsing on personal devices, it’s better for your privacy and your business’s security.
6. Avoid Public Wi-Fi (or Use a VPN)
If you or your team work from cafes, airports, or hotels, always use a virtual private network (VPN) to protect sensitive business data over public connections.
7. Ask Your MSP About Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
EDR software is like having a 24/7 cybersecurity guard on every device. It:
- Monitors real-time activity
- Can isolate infected computers, terminate malicious processes and more!
- Alerts your managed IT provider (like us) instantly in case of an incident
If your Houston business doesn’t have this kind of protection, you may be more vulnerable than you realize.
Don't Let One Click Take Down Your Company
Phishing emails are more sophisticated than ever, and they're showing up right when your team is the most distracted. Summer travel, personal emails, and back-to-school stress all make August a prime season for cyberattacks.
At Alexaur Technology Services, we help Houston businesses stay one step ahead of phishing and ransomware threats with proactive cybersecurity solutions, employee training, and advanced endpoint protection.
Ready to Start the Season Secure?
Click here or call (281) 646-1200 to schedule your FREE Cybersecurity Assessment today and get expert insight into your current defenses: no jargon, no pressure. We’ll help you close the gaps before a phishing attack finds them.
