Why UK Cybercrime Peaks at Christmas – And How Morphisec Shields Your Business
UK Cybercrime increases over Christmas. The festive season is synonymous with joy, gift-giving, and family gatherings. However, for cybercriminals, it’s a golden opportunity to exploit vulnerabilities in businesses and individuals alike. With increased online activity, distracted staff, and reduced IT monitoring, the Christmas period often sees a surge in cyberattacks.
From phishing scams to ransomware, cybercriminals pull out all the stops during this time. But with Morphisec’s automated target defense technology, businesses can stay one step ahead, plugging the gaps that traditional security solutions like EDR, XDR, and NGAV often miss.
Why Cybercrime Rises at Christmas
- High Online Traffic
Online shopping spikes during the holidays, giving cybercriminals more opportunities to intercept transactions and harvest payment data. - Employee Distraction and Relaxation
With employees taking leave or focusing on year-end targets, vigilance often slips, creating openings for attackers. - Transaction Overload
Retailers and banks see a significant rise in transactions, making it harder to detect fraudulent activity in real-time. - Increase in Phishing Attempts
Shoppers expect delivery notifications and promotions, making phishing emails harder to identify. - Reduced IT Monitoring
IT teams often operate with skeleton staff during the holidays, delaying responses to breaches or anomalies.
Common Christmas Cyberattacks:
- Phishing and Smishing (SMS Phishing). Fake delivery updates, gift card offers, and too-good-to-be-true sales lead victims to malicious websites.
- Ransomware. Ransomware gangs know that during downtime, companies are more likely to pay to restore services quickly.
- Credential Stuffing. Attackers exploit reused passwords to access retail, travel, and entertainment accounts.
- E-Skimming (Magecart Attacks). Hackers inject malware into checkout pages to steal credit card details.
- DDoS Attacks. Retailers are targeted to disrupt sales or extort ransom to halt attacks.
- Charity Fraud. Fraudulent charities pop up, stealing donations and sensitive information.
- Travel Scams . Fake travel booking sites lure holiday-goers into sharing payment information.
How Morphisec Shields Your Business Over the Holidays
Morphisec’s Automated Target Defense introduces a revolutionary layer of protection, securing businesses against sophisticated attacks that bypass traditional solutions like EDR, XDR, and NGAV. Here’s how:
1. Closing Vulnerability Gaps – Virtual Patching
Many companies still rely on outdated or end-of-life (EOL) servers and software. Morphisec’s virtual patching shields these systems from known and unknown exploits, eliminating the need for costly immediate upgrades.
2. Stopping Advanced Threats in Real Time
Morphisec prevents zero-day attacks and in-memory exploits that evade traditional detection-based solutions, ensuring continuous protection without impacting performance.
3. Proactive Defense – Automated and Continuous
Unlike reactive technologies, Morphisec actively prevents malware execution at the initial stages, keeping your environment safe even when staff are off-duty.
4. EDR, XDR, and NGAV Enhancement
EDR and XDR solutions detect and respond to threats post-execution. Morphisec stops threats before they run, reducing alert fatigue and allowing IT teams to focus on high-priority issues.
5. Securing Remote Workforces
With more staff working remotely during the holidays, Morphisec protects endpoints from evolving threats, regardless of location.
Top 10 FAQs About Christmas Cybersecurity and Morphisec
1. What makes Morphisec different from traditional EDR or NGAV solutions?
Morphisec prevents attacks in-memory before they can execute, unlike EDR and NGAV, which respond after threats are detected.
2. How does Morphisec handle zero-day attacks?
By morphing application memory and concealing vulnerabilities, Morphisec stops zero-day attacks before they exploit systems.
3. Can Morphisec protect legacy systems and EOL servers?
Yes. Morphisec’s virtual patching shields vulnerable legacy systems, prolonging their secure use without costly upgrades.
4. Is Morphisec compatible with existing security stacks?
Absolutely. Morphisec integrates seamlessly, enhancing existing EDR, XDR, and NGAV solutions.
5. How does Morphisec prevent ransomware?
Morphisec stops ransomware pre-execution by preventing initial footholds, the key entry point for such attacks.
6. Does Morphisec impact system performance?
No. Morphisec operates with minimal resource usage, ensuring optimal performance while providing top-tier security.
7. What industries benefit the most from Morphisec?
Retail, healthcare, finance, and government sectors see significant benefits, but Morphisec protects any industry.
8. Can Morphisec protect remote workers?
Yes. Morphisec secures endpoints wherever they are, making it perfect for remote or hybrid workforces.
9. How quickly can Morphisec be deployed?
Morphisec is lightweight and can be deployed across endpoints in minutes without complex configurations.
10. Does Morphisec provide protection during out-of-office hours?
Yes. Morphisec’s automated defense works continuously, safeguarding businesses even when IT teams are offline.
Holiday Security – A Step Ahead with Morphisec
This Christmas, let cybercriminals find themselves on the naughty list, not you. Morphisec’s proactive and lightweight solution ensures your business remains protected, resilient, and ready to tackle the new year without fear of cyberattacks.
For more information, visit www.morphisec.com.