January 26, 2026
Right now, cybercriminals are crafting their own New Year's resolutions—not about self-care or balance, but about evolving their scams for 2026.
Small businesses are their prime targets—not due to negligence, but because your busy schedules make you vulnerable.
Here's a glimpse into the cybercriminals' 2026 strategy and how you can thwart their plans.
Resolution #1: "Craft Phishing Emails That Blur The Line Between Genuine and Fraudulent"
Gone are the days of obvious scam emails riddled with errors.
Now, AI generates messages that:
- Sound authentic and conversational
- Imitate your company's style and tone
- Reference actual vendors you collaborate with
- Avoid typical red flags
These emails rely on precise timing—not mistakes—to deceive.
January's hustle and distractions create perfect conditions.
Example phishing email:
"Hi [your actual name], I tried sending the updated invoice, but the file bounced back. Could you confirm if this is the correct email for accounting? Here's the new version — let me know if you have any questions. Thanks, [name of your actual vendor]"
No extravagant tales. Just a plausible request from a familiar contact.
How to Fight Back:
- Educate your team to verify sensitive requests via separate channels.
- Deploy advanced email filters that detect impersonation by analyzing sender origin.
- Encourage a culture where verifying requests is welcomed, not criticized.
Resolution #2: "Masquerade as Your Vendors or Leadership"
These attacks feel incredibly genuine.
You might receive an email saying:
"We've updated our bank details. Please use the new account for payments going forward."
Or a frantic text from "the CEO":
"Urgent transfer needed. I'm in meetings and can't talk."
Even more alarming, deepfake voice scams are on the rise, cloning voices from public content to request fraudulent transactions.
This isn't science fiction; it's happening daily.
How to Defend Yourself:
- Implement a strict callback policy for bank details changes using verified phone numbers.
- Require voice confirmation for all urgent payment requests.
- Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on all finance and admin accounts.
Resolution #3: "Focus Attacks More On Small Businesses"
Once targeting only large enterprises, cybercriminals have shifted focus to smaller businesses, recognizing you often lack strong security defenses.
Instead of risking one large, complicated assault, they prefer multiple smaller, more manageable attacks.
Attackers recognize:
- Your limited staffing
- The absence of dedicated security teams
- How busy you are juggling multiple roles
- The misconception that small businesses aren't worth targeting
This false sense of security is your greatest risk.
Your Best Defense:
- Adopt fundamental security practices like MFA, timely system updates, and reliable backups to strengthen your defenses.
- Eliminate the mindset of being "too small to be targeted"—you may not make headlines, but you're a lucrative target.
- Seek expert partners who will vigilantly protect your business without needing an in-house team.
Resolution #4: "Exploit New Employees and Tax Season Vulnerabilities"
January brings new hires unfamiliar with your security policies.
Eager to contribute and reluctant to question authority, new employees can fall prey to social engineering scams.
Attackers capitalize with emails or calls impersonating leadership, requesting sensitive payroll data like W-2 forms.
Once compromised, criminals file fraudulent tax returns, causing employees financial harm and distress.
Prevention Strategies:
- Incorporate security training in onboarding before granting email access.
- Establish clear policies such as "No W-2s sent via email" and mandatory phone verification for payments.
- Recognize and commend employees who verify requests to promote vigilance.
Preventative Actions Save Far More Than Recovery Ever Will.
With cybersecurity, you face two choices:
Option A: React to breaches—pay ransoms, restore systems, manage fallout—incurring massive costs and prolonged stress.
Option B: Proactively secure your business—train teams, monitor systems, patch vulnerabilities—keeping threats at bay with minimal disruption.
Just like buying a fire extinguisher before a fire starts, investing in security means peace of mind.
Take Control of Your Cybersecurity in 2026
A trusted IT partner helps keep you off the hacker's "easy target" list by:
- Providing 24/7 system monitoring to intercept threats early
- Enhancing access controls to prevent breaches from stolen credentials
- Educating your team on sophisticated, modern scams
- Implementing strict verification protocols to deter wire fraud
- Maintaining and testing backups to reduce ransomware disruption
- Applying timely security patches to seal vulnerabilities
Prioritize prevention over reactive firefighting.
Cybercriminals expect businesses like yours to be unprepared and overwhelmed.
Let's change that narrative.
Remove Your Business From Their Target List Today
Schedule a New Year Security Reality Check.
We'll identify your vulnerabilities, prioritize what matters most, and guide you to stop being an easy victim in 2026.
No fear-mongering. No confusing tech-speak. Just straightforward insights and actionable steps.
Click here or give us a call at (321) 221-2991 to book your Consult.
Your smartest New Year's resolution? Ensuring your business is off the cybercriminals' hit list.
