You set it. You forget it. And just like that, while you’re packing for a long-overdue break up north or heading to a supplier meeting in Chicago, your inbox starts automatically broadcasting:
"Hi there! I'm out of the office until [date]. For urgent matters, please contact [coworker’s name and email]."
Seems harmless, right? Convenient even.
Except… that’s exactly the kind of message cybercriminals love.
For Metro Detroit manufacturers—especially those with sales reps on the road, traveling executives, or hands-on owners stepping away—auto-replies can be a gold mine for hackers looking to strike when no one’s watching.
How Auto-Replies Help Cybercriminals
Here’s what your average “out of office” message gives away:
- Your name and job title
- When you're unavailable (perfect timing info for an attack)
- A coworker’s name and contact info (now they know who to impersonate)
- Team structures
- Bonus: info like “I’m at a trade show in Cleveland” or “on vacation until Friday”
That’s all a bad actor needs to launch a targeted phishing or business email compromise (BEC) attack.
Here’s How It Typically Plays Out
Step 1: Your OOO reply hits someone’s inbox—maybe even a compromised one.
Step 2: A hacker copies your signature and style, then emails your backup contact.
Step 3: The fake message looks like it’s from you and asks for a wire transfer, login credentials, or a sensitive file.
Step 4: Your coworker, admin, or accounting contact assumes it’s urgent—and acts.
Step 5: You come back Monday morning to find out $45,000 went to “a vendor.”
This happens all the time. And it’s even more likely when your team travels, shifts are spread out, or someone else is managing your communications while you’re gone.
Why Manufacturers Are Especially At Risk
Manufacturers often have:
- Office admins handling vendor payments and wire transfers
- Sales reps, engineers, or execs out of the office frequently
- Teams that work fast and trust internal emails
- Vendors and partners who expect quick responses
One fake message sent at the right time to the right person can cost you tens of thousands—and create serious trust issues with your suppliers or clients.
How To Make Your Auto-Reply Safer
You don’t have to stop using out-of-office messages—but you should use them more strategically.
Keep It Vague
Avoid oversharing. Don’t list your exact travel plans or multiple contacts unless absolutely necessary.
Better example: “I’m currently out of the office and will reply upon my return. For immediate assistance, please contact our main office at [general contact info].”
Train Your Team
Make sure everyone understands:
- Never send money or sensitive information based solely on an email request
- Always verify unusual or high-risk requests with a call or face-to-face confirmation
- Be cautious of “urgent” messages, even from familiar names
Use Email Security Tools
Implement domain protection, anti-spoofing, and strong email filters to block impersonation attempts before they land.
Enable MFA Across the Board
Multi-factor authentication makes it significantly harder for attackers to break in, even if they get a password.
Work With a Cybersecurity Partner That’s Actually Watching
A good IT partner will be monitoring your network—looking for suspicious logins, unauthorized access attempts, and activity that doesn’t match the usual patterns.
Want to Actually Relax On Vacation?
Whether you’re heading out of town or just away from the plant for the day, your out-of-office message shouldn’t be an open door for hackers.
We help Metro Detroit businesses lock down vulnerabilities, protect staff on the move, and build cybersecurity systems that work even when no one’s in the office.
Click here to book a free security assessment and find out if your current setup is leaving you exposed.
