December is supposed to be the season of twinkly lights, excessive hot chocolate, and pretending your inbox is “on pause until January.” Unfortunately, cybercriminals did not get that memo. In fact, for them, December is peak hunting season.
As businesses wind down, attackers ramp up — creating a perfect storm of year-end cyber threats and holiday chaos. Let’s unwrap why.
Why Cyber Attacks Increase in December?
Two reasons: distraction and opportunity.
- Teams take time off.
- Security monitoring becomes slower.
- Finance departments rush year-end closings.
- And just like clockwork, attackers go, “’Tis the season!”
December is consistently a high-risk month, with December cyber-attacks ranging from phishing storms to full-blown ransomware parties.
1. Ransomware Spike December 
Ransomware crews love December more than kids love winter break. Attackers know businesses are stretched thin and more likely to pay quickly just to avoid operational shutdowns during peak season.
Common tactics include:
- Fake year-end invoices
- Holiday shipping notices (that aren’t actually from any courier you recognize)
- Spoofed vendor messages “needing urgent approval today”
These patterns feed into broader December ransomware trends, where businesses fall victim to last-minute financial pressure and limited IT staffing.
2. Credential Theft During the Holidays
Ah, the holidays. A time for couch shopping, bonus notifications, and — apparently — credential theft holidays.
Threat actors send extremely convincing login pages for:
- Payroll updates
- Holiday gift card portals
- Employee scheduling apps
- “Mandatory” HR policy updates
Since people are multitasking more than usual (“gift shopping + work + family plans”), attackers slip in unnoticed. This makes credential theft one of the most underestimated business cyber threats in December.
3. Social Engineering at Its Sneakiest
December brings social engineering scams with extra sparkle:
- Fake charity requests
- Impersonated executives asking for “urgent payments before year-end”
- Fraudulent vendor “holiday discounts” that require immediate login
These holiday-themed traps blend perfectly with the natural rush of the season, amplifying holiday cyber risks dramatically.
4. Supply Chain & Vendor Targeting
Everyone’s dealing with delays and backlogs, which attackers exploit by:
- Creating fake shipment tracking links
- Sending fraudulent vendor requests
- Impersonating logistics partners with believable year-end messaging
If your business depends on multiple vendors, this season is prime time for hidden vulnerabilities to surface.
5. Accounting & Finance Department Exploits
Year-end closing = pressure.
Pressure = mistakes.
Mistakes = cybercriminal jackpot.
Attackers aggressively target accounting teams with fake wire transfer instructions, doctored invoices, and tax-related phishing — making this one of the most important year-end cybersecurity risks for businesses.
How to Stay Secure During the Festive Season
Here’s your holiday survival checklist (with fewer calories than a gingerbread cookie):
✔ Boost Monitoring
Expect more alerts than usual. Plan for coverage when staff members are on leave.
✔ Harden Access Controls
Think MFA, conditional access, and quick removal of unused accounts — especially temporary vendors who only worked on one random project in April.
✔ Educate Your Teams
A quick refresher on year-end cyber threats goes a long way.
Employees often forget that cybercriminals don’t take winter breaks.
✔ Review Vendor Permissions
Attackers love weak links. Tighten third-party access before December peaks.
✔ Test Backups
Because nothing says “Happy Holidays” like discovering your backup… isn’t backing up.
Final Thoughts
December is magical, chaotic, and — unfortunately — one of the most active months for cybercrime. With the rise of holiday cyber risks, ransomware spikes in December, and clever phishing strategies, attackers count on businesses letting their guard down.
But with the right preparation, you can keep the festivities joyful and your systems secure.
Stay vigilant, stay caffeinated, and may your year-end be breezy, breezy, breach-free.
Consult with our team and gain actionable insights tailored to your organization’s unique needs. If you haven’t by now, click the button below to schedule your 15-minute call.
