Your Out-of-Office Reply Could Help Hackers Scam Your Business
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Post by
Fernando Perez
June 17, 2025
June 17, 2025
You're about to leave for vacation. You set your auto-reply: “Hi! I’m out of office until [date]. For urgent issues, contact [coworker name/email].” Seems useful. But it could also be dangerous.
Hackers love out-of-office messages. Why? Because they give away: Your name and title, The exact dates you’re gone, Who to contact in your place, Team structure, Travel plans... That’s all they need to launch a targeted attack.
How It Works
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You set your auto-reply.
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A hacker reads it.
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They pose as you, or your coworker.
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They send a fake request for money or sensitive info.
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Someone responds. The money’s gone.
This is called business email compromise (BEC). It’s one of the most common, costly types of cybercrime. And it’s easier than you think.
Why Travelers Are Easy Targets
If you or your team travel often, the risk is higher:
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Assistants or admins may respond quickly without verifying
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They handle payments or documents
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They trust familiar names in the inbox
Hackers know this. That’s why your auto-reply is the first step in their plan.
How To Protect Your Business
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Don't overshare: Avoid personal or detailed messages. Better: "I'm out of office and will respond when I return. For help, contact our main office at [info]"
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Train your team: Tell staff to never act on email-only requests for money or data, and to always verify urgent messages with a call or in person.
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Use email security tools: Spam filters, spoofing protection and domain controls reduce fake emails.
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Turn on MFA: Multifactor authentication blocks hackers even if they get a password.
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Monitor accounts: A good IT partner watches for suspicious logins and alerts you before damage happens.
Want a Safer Vacation?
Out-of-office replies don’t have to be risky. With the right setup, you can relax, without worrying that your inbox is helping hackers.
Click here to book a FREE Network & Cyber-Security Check-Up. We’ll check your system and help lock down the gaps.