Why Phishing Attacks Spike in August

Summer may be a time for vacations and relaxation, but cybercriminals don’t take time off. In fact, recent studies show that phishing attacks actually increase during the summer months. For businesses in Houston, TX, this means extra vigilance is needed to protect sensitive data with the right cybersecurity services.

Why the Increased Risk?

Cyberattackers know how to exploit seasonal trends:

• Travel-related scams: According to Check Point Research, phishing attempts linked to travel are on the rise, with a 55% increase in new vacation-related website domains in May 2025 alone. Out of 39,000 domains registered, 1 in 21 was flagged as malicious or suspicious. These fake hotel or Airbnb websites are designed to trick employees planning vacations.
• Back-to-school scams: Late summer also sees a surge in phishing attempts imitating legitimate university emails. Even if your business is in accounting, legal, manufacturing, or oil & gas, employees might check personal emails on work devices. One careless click is all it takes for attackers to access critical business data.

For Houston-area businesses that handle legal files, financial records, or proprietary manufacturing processes, this risk can be devastating.

How Businesses Can Stay Protected

While AI has improved cybersecurity defenses, it has also made phishing attacks harder to detect. That’s why employee awareness and comprehensive IT services are essential.

Smart Safety Practices:

• Watch for unusual email senders, suspicious links, or odd domain endings like .today or .info.
• Type in website URLs directly instead of clicking on links in emails.
• Use Multifactor Authentication (MFA) to protect logins, especially in financial or legal systems.
• Avoid checking personal emails on company devices.
• Be cautious with public WiFi—use a VPN for secure connections.
• Ask your IT provider about endpoint detection and response (EDR) for continuous monitoring.

A Comprehensive Cybersecurity Strategy

The best defense against phishing attacks is a layered approach. Houston businesses benefit from managed IT services that include:

• Help Desk Support – Quick action when employees encounter suspicious emails
• 24/7 Remote IT Support – Continuous monitoring and real-time threat response
• Data Backup & Recovery – Safeguarding critical files against ransomware attacks
• IT Compliance Services – Meeting security requirements in legal, financial, and manufacturing industries
• Co-managed IT Services – Extending the strength of your internal IT team with enterprise-grade protections

Phishing attacks are evolving rapidly, and with AI in the mix, they’re more convincing than ever. Houston businesses can’t afford to leave their data exposed. Whether you choose fully managed IT services or co-managed IT support, combining employee training with strong email security is the key to staying safe.

At CloudSpace, we understand how damaging phishing attacks can be for Houston businesses. That’s why our cybersecurity consulting in Houston focuses on proactive protection—combining advanced email security, endpoint defense, and employee training to keep your data safe year-round. Don’t wait for a cyber threat to strike. Contact us today to strengthen your defenses and safeguard your business against phishing attacks.