January 26, 2026
Right now, cybercriminals are setting their own New Year's resolutions — but theirs are all about one thing: hacking.
Unlike your goals of self-care or work-life balance, their plans revolve around refining tactics to steal more in 2026.
And small businesses? They're the prime target.
It's not about negligence on your part.
It's because your busy schedule creates opportunities criminals exploit.
They thrive on distraction and haste.
Here's what cybercriminals have planned for 2026—and how you can stop them in their tracks.
Cybercriminal Resolution #1: "Craft Phishing Emails That Fool Everyone"
Gone are the days of obvious scam emails full of typos and nonsense.
Thanks to AI, phishing messages now:
- Sound genuine and conversational
- Mimic your company's tone perfectly
- Include references to actual vendors you trust
- Remove clear giveaways that you'd normally spot
The trick is perfect timing rather than mistakes.
January's busy pace and holiday catch-up make it the perfect window.
A typical phishing email now looks like this:
"Hi [your actual name], I tried sending the updated invoice but it bounced back. Could you confirm the right email for accounting? Here's the new file — let me know if you have any questions. Thanks, [name of your actual vendor]."
No urgent wire transfers or tales of distant princes — just seemingly normal messages from familiar contacts.
Your defense strategies:
- Teach your team to always verify money or credential requests through separate communication channels.
- Implement smart email filters that catch suspicious impersonations, like an email from your accountant coming via an unusual server location.
- Promote a culture where verifying requests is encouraged and valued as smart, not paranoid.
Cybercriminal Resolution #2: "Impersonate Vendors and Executives More Convincingly"
This attack feels alarmingly real.
Imagine receiving an email from a vendor stating:
"We updated our bank info. Please use this new account for payments going forward."
Or a text from "the CEO" saying:
"Urgent wire transfer required. I'm in a meeting and can't talk now."
Now, scammers even use deepfake voice technology—cloning voices from public videos or voicemails to trick your finance team.
This isn't sci-fi—it's happening right now.
Your defense strategies:
- Set up strict callback procedures for any changes to banking details, always using known phone numbers.
- Require voice confirmation via trusted channels before moving any payments.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on all finance and administrative accounts to block unauthorized access even if passwords are compromised.
Cybercriminal Resolution #3: "Focus Attacks More Aggressively on Small Businesses"
While big corporations have hardened their defenses, small businesses are now prime cybercrime targets.
Instead of one high-risk, high-reward attack, criminals prefer multiple smaller, low-risk breaches, which almost always succeed.
They know:
- Small teams struggle to manage security
- Many don't have dedicated cybersecurity staff
- There are many distractions and competing priorities
- Many believe they are "too small to be targeted"
That assumption is their biggest advantage.
Your defense strategies:
- Implement essential security measures like MFA, regular software updates, and tested backups to make your business a tougher target.
- Change the mindset: No business is too small to be attacked, they just don't get the publicity.
- Partner with security experts who provide vigilant protection without the cost of a large security team.
Cybercriminal Resolution #4: "Exploit New Hires and Tax Season Confusion"
January brings fresh employees who may not yet recognize scam tactics.
Eager to please, new hires might not question unusual requests from supposed executives.
Tax season scams spike with fraudulent W-2 requests and fake IRS notices.
Scammers impersonate CEOs or HR to urgently request employee tax documents, putting your team's sensitive data at risk.
Your defense strategies:
- Incorporate scam awareness training during onboarding before new employees access email.
- Create clear policies such as "W-2s are never emailed" and "All payment requests require phone confirmation." Document and regularly test these rules.
- Recognize and reward employees who verify suspicious requests, reinforcing a healthy security culture.
The Key: Prevention Beats Recovery Every Time.
You have two paths:
Option A: React after a breach—pay ransoms, scramble emergency teams, face expensive downtime and damaged reputation. This can cost tens or hundreds of thousands and take months to recover.
Option B: Proactively prevent attacks with smart security, staff training, continuous monitoring, and vulnerability management. It's cost-effective and keeps your business running smoothly.
Like a fire extinguisher, cybersecurity is about preventing disasters—not fighting flames.
How to Get Off Cybercriminals' Hit List
An expert IT partner can keep you safe with:
- 24/7 system monitoring to stop threats before they cause harm
- Strong access controls to limit damage from stolen credentials
- Up-to-date team training on sophisticated scams
- Strict verification processes for wire transfers
- Regular backup testing to turn ransomware into a manageable inconvenience
- Timely software patching to close entry points before criminals strike
Don't wait for a crisis—choose prevention.
Cybercriminals are already making plans for 2026. They expect many businesses to remain vulnerable.
It's time to prove them wrong.
Secure Your Business Now Before You Become Their Next Goal
Schedule a New Year Security Reality Check today.
We'll pinpoint your vulnerabilities, prioritize what matters most, and equip you to stop being an easy target in 2026.
No fear-mongering. No tech jargon. Just clear guidance on your current stance and the next steps.
Click here or give us a call at 503-765-1802 to book your 15-Minute Discovery Call.
Your best New Year's resolution? Ensuring you don't become a cybercriminal's goal for 2026.
