Cyberattacks on the rise during back to school season in Mexico
- Cyberpeace Tech
- Sep 5
- 2 min read
The start of the school year not only means long lines at stationery stores and last-minute shopping, but it has also become a critical season for cybersecurity in Mexico. Educational institutions, students, and parents are the targets of a growing number of digital attacks and frauds that seek to take advantage of the economic activity and high online traffic typical of these weeks.
Schools under digital pressure
During 2025, schools and universities across the country have faced a notable increase in digital intrusion attempts. It is estimated that an average of 4,188 cyberattacks occur each week during the back to school season against educational institutions in Mexico, an increase of 19% over last year.
This increase is not unique to Mexico: globally, the education sector is being targeted because it is considered an “easy” target due to the large amount of personal data it handles and limited cybersecurity budgets.
Globally, the education sector reports a 41% spike in attack attempts, and in July alone, more than 18,000 new domains related to schools and universities were detected, of which 1 in 57 was found to be malicious or suspicious.
Many of these fraudulent sites seek to steal login credentials, spread malware, or deceive users with fake promotions related to school supplies.
Cyberattacks during back to school season: scams targeting families
While institutions deal with massive attacks, families also face risks. During back to school season, there are multiple digital scams designed to take advantage of purchases of school supplies, uniforms, and electronic devices. Among the most common are:
Fake online stores that offer low-cost school supplies and disappear after receiving payment.
Apocryphal emails or messages that appear to come from schools requesting extraordinary payments.
Fictitious scholarships and grants that ask for bank details to “release” supposed benefits.
Misleading job offers targeting young people looking for extra income, where they request advance deposits.
Public Wi-Fi connections near schools used by cybercriminals to steal information.
Phantom rentals of rooms or apartments intended for foreign students.
How to protect yourself this season
Going back to school can be safe if you take simple but effective precautions:
Always confirm the authenticity of websites before making a payment.
Avoid clicking on links in suspicious emails, even if they appear to be official.
Use strong passwords and enable two-step verification for email and school platforms.
Choose private networks or mobile data over open Wi-Fi.
Report any attempted fraud to help prevent others from falling into the same trap.
At Cyberpeace, we believe that digital education is key to a safer future. Stay informed, share these recommendations, and let's work together to strengthen cybersecurity in Mexico.
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