January 26, 2026
Right now, cybercriminals are drafting their own New Year's resolutions — but theirs are far from positive.
Forget wellness or balance; they're analyzing what worked in 2025 and plotting new ways to exploit businesses like yours in 2026.
And guess who tops their list? Small businesses.
Not because of negligence.
Because your team is busy.
And attackers thrive when you're overwhelmed.
Let's uncover their 2026 tactics—and how you can shut them down.
Resolution #1: Crafting Phishing Emails That Are Nearly Impossible to Spot
The days of clumsy scams filled with typos are gone.
Powered by AI, today's phishing emails are:
- Authentic in tone
- Tailored with your company's unique language
- Referencing vendors you actually work with
- Free from obvious red flags
It's no longer about spelling mistakes; it's about perfect timing.
January is prime time — everyone's juggling post-holiday catch-up.
Here's an example of a cutting-edge phishing attempt:
"Hi [your actual name], I tried sending the latest invoice but it bounced back. Can you confirm this is the correct accounting email? Here's the updated file — let me know if questions. Thanks, [name of your actual vendor]"
No fake princes. No panic-inducing wire requests. Just a familiar voice in your inbox.
Your defense:
- Educate your staff to verify any request involving funds or login details via a second communication channel.
- Implement advanced email filters that detect impersonation, especially when senders come from unexpected locations.
- Foster an environment where double-checking is encouraged and applauded rather than criticized.
Resolution #2: Faking Your Vendors and Executives to Trick You
This scam feels frighteningly authentic.
A vendor email might declare:
"We've updated our bank info; please use this new account for payments going forward."
Or an urgent message from "the CEO" might say:
"Please wire funds now — I'm in a meeting and can't take calls."
Scammers are increasingly using deepfake voice technology, cloning voices from online sources to make calls sound legitimate.
This is no science fiction—it's happening today.
Your defense:
- Enforce a strict callback procedure for bank info changes, using known contact numbers.
- No fund transfers without voice confirmation through established channels.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all financial and administrative accounts to block unauthorized access.
Resolution #3: Increasing Attacks on Small Businesses
Gone are the days when thieves only targeted large corporations.
As big firms enhance security and face stricter rules, cybercriminals have shifted focus to small businesses.
This means more frequent, lower-risk attacks aimed at companies like yours.
Attackers rely on the fact that you're:
- Often understaffed
- Without a dedicated security team
- Managing many roles simultaneously
- Assuming you're "too small to be a target"
This assumption is their favorite weakness.
Your defense:
- Adopt foundational security best practices — MFA, system updates, and regular backup testing to discourage attackers.
- Reject the myth that small equals safe — your size makes you a target, just less visible.
- Partner with cybersecurity professionals who actively monitor and protect your business.
Resolution #4: Exploiting New Hiring Season and Tax Time Chaos
January brings new employees unfamiliar with your security protocols, eager to help and less likely to question requests.
From a hacker's standpoint, they're an ideal entry.
Example scams include fake urgent emails from the CEO asking for immediate payroll tasks or W-2 forms, leading to identity theft and fraudulent tax filings.
Your defense:
- Integrate security training into onboarding before granting email access.
- Establish clear policies: e.g., "We never email W-2s" and "All payment requests need phone verification." Document and enforce these.
- Encourage and reward employees who verify suspicious requests.
Prevention Always Outperforms Recovery.
Choose your cybersecurity strategy wisely:
Option A: React after a breach — pay ransoms, hire emergency services, alert customers, rebuild trust. Costs soar; recovery drags weeks or months.
Option B: Prevent attacks through proactive security—training, monitoring, updates. Costs less, runs seamlessly, and keeps your business intact.
Like having a fire extinguisher ready before the fire starts.
How to Take Your Business Off Hackers' Target List
Partnering with a reliable IT security expert means:
- 24/7 system monitoring that spots threats early
- Stronger access controls to prevent breaches even if passwords are stolen
- Up-to-date scam education tailored to current threats
- Verification protocols that stop wire fraud schemes
- Regular backup maintenance, turning ransomware from disaster to minor inconvenience
- Prompt patching to close vulnerabilities before they're exploited
Prevention is always better than cure.
Cybercriminals are already plotting their 2026 moves, counting on businesses like yours to be unprepared. Let's prove them wrong.
Secure Your Business This New Year
Schedule a New Year Security Reality Check.
We'll identify your vulnerabilities, prioritize what matters, and show you exactly how to stop being an easy target in 2026.
No hype. No tech jargon. Just clear, actionable insights.
Click here or give us a call at 323-410-7785 to book your 10-Minute Discovery Call.
Your smartest New Year's resolution? Ensuring you're never on a cybercriminal's target list.
