Cyber criminals have a favourite day of the week - and it’s probably yours too. It’s Friday.
Key Takeaways:
- Cyber criminals strike when you’re distracted - and Friday fatigue makes you an easy target.
- Late-week attacks often go unnoticed due to reduced weekend support.
- Simple habits and proper training can shut down Friday-focused scams.
Deadlines are looming, your inbox is overflowing, and your brain’s already halfway to the weekend. You’re tired, distracted, and trying to wrap things up before signing off.
And that’s exactly why Fridays are prime time for cyber attacks.
The Friday fatigue factor
By the end of the week, focus begins to fade. You’re more likely to click a link without thinking twice, skip a basic security check, or approve an unusual request just to get it done.
Cyber criminals know this. They time their phishing emails, fake invoices, and urgent payment requests to hit when your guard is down. One quick click could be all it takes to open the door to a data breach.
Reduced IT support over the weekend
Scammers also count on the fact that most support teams clock off for the weekend.
If an attack slips through late on a Friday, there’s a good chance it won’t be spotted until Monday morning. That gives cyber criminals up to three days to move through systems, steal data, or deploy ransomware without being noticed.
A false sense of security
Fridays often feel more relaxed. Staff might be working from home, heading out early, or casually clearing their inboxes. That easy-going mindset can make you more susceptible to social engineering tactics, especially if a scam message looks like it’s from someone familiar or comes stamped with “URGENT.”
How to stay secure on a Friday (and every day)
A few small habits can go a long way:
- Pause before you click, especially on emails that feel rushed or urgent.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of protection.
- Train your team to recognise common scams and phishing tactics.
- Never approve payments by email alone, always verify through another channel.
- Keep an eye out for unusual log-in attempts or access alerts, particularly on weekends.
Fridays have become a hotspot for cyber attacks. If you’re not paying attention, you could walk out of the office with bigger problems than what to do with your weekend.
Cyber safety doesn’t clock off at 5pm. So before you head into the weekend, take a moment to double-check, pause, and protect.
Ensure that your entire team has completed the Cyber Wardens training program to prevent any weak links that cyber criminals could exploit.
