You and your team might be returning from summer vacations, but cybercriminals never clock out. In fact, recent studies from vendors like ProofPoint and Check Point show a sharp increase in phishing attacks during the summer months, especially in August.

For small businesses in Texas, this seasonal spike poses a real threat—especially when employees check personal emails on work devices or fall for travel-related scams. Here's what you need to know to stay ahead of these evolving risks.

 

Why Are Phishing Attacks Worse in August?

Hackers use the summer travel surge to their advantage. According to Check Point Research, cybercriminals are impersonating hotel and Airbnb websites, exploiting the vacation buzz. In May 2025 alone, there was a 55% increase in new website domains related to vacations—and 1 in every 21 of them was flagged as malicious or suspicious.

Meanwhile, the back-to-school season brings its own risks. Phishing campaigns often disguise themselves as university emails, tricking students, faculty, and even employees with personal ties to education. All it takes is one wrong click—especially on a work laptop or mobile device—to put your company’s entire network at risk.

The Bigger Problem for Small Businesses in Texas

If you're a DFW-based business, odds are your team is multitasking—juggling personal tasks while on the job, often using the same devices for both. That’s why phishing attacks are a serious local threat, especially for small and midsize businesses without a dedicated cybersecurity department.

 

 

What Can Your Texas Business Do to Prevent Phishing Attacks?

Phishing emails are no longer riddled with typos—they’re now written by AI, designed to look legitimate and fool even the most tech-savvy users. Here's how to defend against them:

Scrutinize Emails Closely

AI-written phishing emails can look clean and professional. Always check the sender's email address, hover over links before clicking, and question any unusual requests.

Look Out for Suspicious Domains

Hackers often use strange domain endings like .today, .info, or minor misspellings. Train your team to double-check all URLs before clicking.

Visit Sites Directly

Instead of clicking links, search for the site yourself. This extra step can prevent accidentally landing on a fake site.

Use Multifactor Authentication (MFA)

Even if a phishing attempt is successful, MFA adds a vital layer of protection. App-based MFA is ideal for small business security in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Avoid Public WiFi or Use a VPN

If your employees travel or work remotely, encourage them to use a VPN on public networks to prevent data interception.

Keep Work and Personal Devices Separate

Personal email and social media should never be accessed on business devices. It only takes one compromised personal account to infect your company’s system.

Invest in Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

Ask your Dallas-based IT company about EDR tools. These monitor your endpoints, flag suspicious activity, and help stop attacks in real time—before they spread.

 

Cybersecurity Is a Year-Round Priority for Texas Businesses

With phishing attacks getting more sophisticated every season, especially during the summer, ongoing education and proactive tools are your best line of defense.

We help small businesses across Texas stay protected with practical, local IT solutions and real-time threat monitoring. Want to know how secure your company really is?

Start the season secure – book your FREE Cybersecurity Assessment today.