January 26, 2026
While you're setting goals for the new year, cybercriminals are crafting their own plans.
But their resolutions aren't about self-care or balance—they're strategizing how to exploit vulnerabilities and steal more in 2026.
Small businesses are their prime targets—not due to negligence, but because their busy schedules provide the perfect cover.
Busy teams mean distracted opportunities—and cybercriminals thrive on that.
Let's uncover their key tactics for 2026 and how you can effectively stop them.
Resolution #1: Crafting Phishing Emails That Fool Even the Savviest
The days of blatantly fake scam emails are behind us.
With AI-generated content, phishing attempts now:
- Sound authentic and natural to your ear,
- Mimic your company's style and terminology,
- Include references to actual partners you work with,
- And omit obvious warning signs.
Instead of typos, these emails rely on perfect timing—January is a prime moment when holiday distractions leave teams vulnerable.
Here's an example of a modern phishing message:
"Hi [your actual name], I attempted to send the updated invoice but it bounced back. Can you please confirm if this is the correct email for your accounting department? The new invoice is attached. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks, [name of your actual vendor]"
No outrageous claims or urgent wire transfers—just a believable and familiar request.
How to Defend:
- Instruct your team to always verify requests involving payments or credentials via a separate communication channel.
- Employ advanced email filters that identify suspicious sender origins or impersonation attempts.
- Encourage a culture where verifying requests is applauded, not seen as overcautious.
Resolution #2: Impersonating Vendors and Executives With Convincing Accuracy
This method is deceptively genuine.
A vendor might email:
"We've changed our bank details. Please use the new account for payments going forward."
Or your bookkeeper receives a text from "the CEO":
"Urgent—wire funds now. I'm in a meeting and can't talk."
Deepfake voice scams are escalating, mimicking real voices sourced from public media to make these requests sound entirely credible.
This isn't science fiction—it's happening today.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Implement a mandatory callback procedure for all changes to payment information, using verified phone numbers.
- Never process payments without voice confirmation through trusted channels.
- Require multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all finance and administrative accounts to prevent unauthorized access.
Resolution #3: Focusing Heavily on Small Businesses as Vulnerable Targets
Once focused on large corporations, cybercriminals have shifted tactics.
Stringent defenses at big enterprises make them tough targets—so attackers now prefer numerous smaller, less protected businesses.
Instead of one high-risk, high-reward breach, they aim for multiple smaller attacks with a higher chance of success.
Small businesses hold valuable assets and sensitive data but often lack dedicated security teams.
Attackers count on assumptions that you:
- Are stretched thin with responsibilities,
- Don't have specialized security staff,
- Juggle multiple priorities,
- Believe you're too small to attract attacks.
This mistaken belief is exactly what they exploit.
How to Strengthen Your Defenses:
- Adopt fundamental protections, including MFA, frequent updates, and reliable backups to deter most attacks.
- Dismiss the myth that "small means safe"—your size doesn't exempt you from being targeted.
- Partner with cybersecurity experts who can provide vigilant, ongoing protection without the need for an internal security team.
Resolution #4: Exploiting New Hires and Tax Season Confusion
January often brings fresh employees who are unfamiliar with your company's protocols.
Their eagerness to assist makes them prime targets for attackers pretending to be executives or HR.
Scammers often send urgent requests such as:
"I'm the CEO, can you quickly handle this? I'm traveling."
Tax season increases risks too—fraudulent W-2 requests, payday phishing, and fake IRS notices are rampant.
When criminals obtain W-2 forms, they steal Social Security numbers, addresses, and salary data to file false tax returns before your employees can.
Steps to Prevent These Scams:
- Include scam awareness training during new employee onboarding, emphasizing that no one will request urgent gift card purchases or sensitive info unexpectedly.
- Enforce clear policies: never email W-2s and always verify payment requests by phone.
- Encourage and reward employees who verify unusual requests promptly and confidently.
Prevention Outweighs Recovery Every Time.
When it comes to cybersecurity, you face two paths:
Option A: Respond reactively after a breach—pay ransoms, hire emergency services, notify clients, rebuild systems, and repair damage. This can cost tens or hundreds of thousands, take weeks or months, and leave lasting scars.
Option B: Proactively prevent attacks by implementing robust security, training your team, monitoring threats, and closing risks early. This reduces costs dramatically and keeps your business running smoothly.
Like owning a fire extinguisher—not because you want to fight fires, but so you never have to.
How to Outsmart Cybercriminals in 2026
A trusted IT partner can keep your business off cybercriminals' radar by:
- Providing 24/7 system monitoring to detect threats before they escalate,
- Enforcing strict access controls that limit damage from stolen credentials,
- Training your staff on sophisticated scam tactics rather than obvious ones,
- Setting policies requiring multi-step verification for wire transfers,
- Maintaining and regularly testing secure backups to mitigate ransomware impact,
- Keeping your software patched to close vulnerabilities before criminals can exploit them.
Focus on preventing problems instead of fixing them.
Cybercriminals are entering 2026 with high hopes—but they're counting on businesses like yours to stay exposed and understaffed.
Let's prove them wrong.
Take Your Business Off Their Cyberattack Radar
Schedule your New Year Security Reality Check today.
We'll reveal your vulnerabilities, prioritize what matters most, and empower you to stop being an easy target in 2026.
No fear-mongering. No technical jargon. Just clear insights and actionable steps tailored for your business.
Click here or call us at 316-867-4566 to book your 15-Minute Discovery Call.
Because the smartest New Year's resolution is ensuring your business isn't the one on a criminal's goal list.
