Cybersecurity in summer: avoid the most common digital scams

Why summer is the peak season for online scams

With the arrival of good weather and holidays, the use of open devices and networks increases, while attention to security decreases. Cybercriminals take advantage of this context to step up Phishing, Smishing, Vishing, rent and payment scams, and impersonation.
According to Europapress, during the summer months these threats increase significantly: you need to be especially alert to fake pages, misleading offers and telephone scams.

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🔍 Types of Scams and How to Protect Yourself

1. Vacation rental and tourism scams

• Fake apartments or low cost flights appear on networks and ads.
• Often they don't exist: after paying, the victim gets nothing.
  Measures: book only on official platforms, review photos (reverse image search) and avoid direct transfers.

2. Summer phishing, smishing and vishing

• Urgent messages: “your flight was canceled”, “there is a pending fine”...
• Attempts to impersonate DGT, Treasury, banks or Bizum Inversa.
  Measures: never share data via SMS or links, and always check on official channels.

3. Malicious QRs

• Codes in menus or signs that lead to pages with malware or fake forms.
  Measures: scan only in secure locations, verify the URL before entering data.

4. Insecure public Wi-Fi

• Data interception when you connect to airports, hotels or cafés.
  Measures: Use VPN, avoid banking operations and turn off the automatic connection.

5. Social Engineering and Impersonation

• Scams that simulate messages from friends asking for money (for example, through Bizum).
  Measures: Always confirm with your contact, activate two-step verification and question urgent or unexpected messages.

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Expert Tip: Sextortion and Fake Calls

During the summer, there is also an increase in digital sexual blackmail (sextortion) And of Fake phone calls that impersonate authorities or companies.
More than 4,000 complaints in Spain in 2023; sending data or paying only worsens the situation.
Recommendation: Don't respond or send money; consult the authorities and keep any evidence.

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🛠️ Key measures for companies and users

• Utilize two-factor authentication (MFA) and strong passwords
• Realize backup of essential data
• Update systems and apps before periods of low activity.
• Organize summer phishing and security training for your team
• Activate fraud detection technology such as EDR, DLP or SOC 24/7

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How Apolo Cybersecurity Can Help You

In Apolo Cybersecurity we help you to protect your summer against cyberfraud:

1. Phishing and smishing simulations for your template
2. Implementing MFA and secure access protocols
3. SOC 24/7 to monitor networks and detect scam attempts
4. Practical training and awareness campaigns
5. Incident recovery and contingency plans

👉 Request your free audit and get ready for a summer without surprises

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