Statistics show winter’s the most dangerous period for online attacks, especially around the key shopping periods such as Black Friday, Christmas and the New Years. With businesses rushed off their feet, more people shopping online and many teams working remotely, cyber criminals will take advantage of this perfect storm; Phishing attempts increase, scams become more sophisticated, and weak systems are pushed to their limits. Understanding why cyber threats spike at this time of year can help your business stay protected and avoid costly disruptions.
Increased Activity Means more Opportunities for Attackers
Black Friday and Christmas drive a huge rise in online spending. While this is great for retailers, it also attracts scammers who imitate trusted brands to trick people into clicking unsafe links or giving away personal information.
Fake delivery notifications, too-good-to-be-true sales and order confirmations are some of the most common phishing emails we see throughout late Autunm and early Winter. Staff who are rushed, distracted or trying to clear inboxes quickly are more likely to fall for these messages.
If your team use work devices to shop online, or receive email notifications through work accounts, your business could become an easy target. Once one person clicks a malicious link, attackers can spread malware, access sensitive files or gain a foothold in your network.
Remote Working Leading to Security Risks
During the winter period, people are often more likely to work from home, either because of bad weather, illness or flexible working policies; Remote work can be incredibly convenient, but it also creates dangerous gaps in security if the right systems aren’t already in place.
Unsecured home Wi Fi, outdated routers, personal devices and shared household networks all introduce risks. Attackers know this, and they often target remote workers through phishing, ransomware and fake login pages that mimic cloud services.
Without secure VPN access, multi factor authentication and proper device configuration, your business data can be exposed far more easily. At Edmondson's, we frequently see winter breaches linked to remote logins that were not protected by strong authentication or properly monitored firewalls.
Distracted Staff
Human error is one of the most common causes of cyber-attacks, and this only increases in winter. End of year deadlines, holiday preparations, staff shortages and seasonal sales all put pressure on your staff, which cyber criminals take advantage of.
Criminals will often time emails late on Friday afternoons, or during the week between Christmas and New Years, when IT teams are stretched thin.
Scammers will also tailor their attacks to match the time of year. During winter, we often see:
- Fake gift card scams
- Fraudulent delivery notifications
- Black Friday refund scams
- Fake charity donation links
- Invoice scams targeting finance teams during year end processing
These attacks often seem convincing, with branding copied from major retailers, delivery companies and even government departments. With more people expecting parcels and making purchases, it becomes harder to spot what’s genuine and what’s not.
How Can we Help?
Strong cybersecurity is not just about having the right tools, it is about having the right support. At Edmondson's, we work with businesses of all sizes to help ensure their IT systems are secure, up to date and ready for the increased risks winter brings.
If you want to strengthen your IT security before winter gets fully underway, get in touch with our team today and we’ll guide you through the best options for your business.
