January 26, 2026
Right now, cybercriminals are crafting their own New Year's resolutions — but theirs are far from innocent.
They aren't focusing on wellness or productivity. Instead, they're analyzing what cyberattacks succeeded in 2025 and strategizing to breach even more in 2026.
And small businesses? They remain their prime choice.
Not due to carelessness,
but because your bustling pace creates perfect opportunities.
Criminals thrive when you're busy.
Here's a glimpse into their 2026 tactics—and how you can dismantle each.
Resolution #1: "Crafting Phishing Emails That Blend Seamlessly"
The days of obviously fake scam emails are behind us.
Thanks to AI, attackers now generate emails that:
- Read naturally and authentically
- Match your company's communication style
- Reference actual vendors you collaborate with
- Exclude glaring red flags that once gave scams away
It's no longer about typos but about perfect timing.
January's post-holiday chaos makes it ideal for these attacks—everyone is distracted and in a rush.
Imagine getting an email like:
"Hi [your actual name], I attempted to send the updated invoice, but the file bounced back. Could you confirm this is still the right email for accounting? Here's the new version attached. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks, [name of your actual vendor]"
No royal princes, no urgent money transfers. Just a familiar, believable request.
How to Fight Back:
- Empower your team to verify requests, not just read them. Confirm any money or credential inquiries through separate communication channels.
- Implement robust email filters that detect impersonation, flagging emails that claim to be from your accountant but originate from suspicious servers.
- Foster a culture where questioning suspicious messages is encouraged, not penalized. Praising "I verified before responding" promotes vigilance.
Resolution #2: "Posing as Your Vendors or Leadership"
This tactic hits hard because it feels authentic.
A vendor suddenly emails:
"We've changed our bank account details. Please use this new account for all future payments."
Or your bookkeeper receives a text from "the CEO":
"Urgent! Wire the payment immediately. I'm in a meeting and can't talk."
And now, deepfake voice scams further blur reality.
Cybercriminals replicate voices from podcasts, YouTube clips, even voicemail greetings. The "CEO's" voice calls your finance team, requesting a quick favor, sounding exactly like the real person.
This isn't fiction; it's happening today.
Your Defense Strategy:
- Enforce a callback protocol for any bank detail updates, verifying through trusted numbers, not those provided in suspicious communications.
- Require voice confirmation, via established channels, before any payment is authorized.
- Apply multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all finance and administrative accounts—so stolen passwords alone won't grant access.
Resolution #3: "Intensifying Attacks on Small Businesses"
Previously, attackers aimed big: banks, healthcare facilities, Fortune 500 firms.
But with increased enterprise security and tighter regulations, large businesses became tougher targets.
So criminals pivoted.
Instead of risking one massive, complicated $5 million scam, they now prefer numerous smaller $50,000 attacks with a higher success rate.
Small businesses are now in attackers' crosshairs—you possess valuable data, money, and often lack specialized security teams.
Attackers already know you:
- Are stretched thin
- Most likely lack dedicated security personnel
- Balance countless tasks simultaneously
- Believe "we're too small to be targeted"
That mindset is their strongest advantage.
What You Can Do:
- Fortify your defenses with essential security protocols like MFA, regular software updates, and reliable, tested backups — becoming a tougher target than your neighbors.
- Eliminate the false sense of security. No business is too small to be targeted—just too small to make headlines.
- Engage professional cybersecurity partners. You don't need an entire security team, just trusted experts who safeguard your operations.
Resolution #4: "Exploiting New Employees and Tax Season Confusion"
January means fresh hires—individuals unfamiliar with your company procedures.
Eager to impress and assist, new employees rarely question urgent requests from authority figures.
From a scammer's view: ideal targets.
Example:
"This is the CEO. Can you handle this ASAP? I'm traveling and can't speak."
While seasoned team members might hesitate, new staff often act quickly to help.
Tax season adds fuel to the fire, with increasing scams involving W-2 requests, payroll phishing, and counterfeit IRS communications.
The attack is direct: imposters posing as your CEO or HR send urgent emails demanding employee W-2s. Once obtained, criminals use personal data—SSNs, addresses, salaries—to file fraudulent tax returns before your staff can.
Steps to Protect Your Team:
- Integrate security education into onboarding. Before accessing email, new hires should recognize scams and understand no legitimate request for emergency gift card purchases will ever come their way.
- Establish clear policies like "W-2s are never sent via email" and "All payment requests require phone verification." Document and regularly test adherence.
- Celebrate employees who verify suspicious requests; encouragement fosters vigilance rather than fear.
Prevention Is Always Cheaper and Less Stressful Than Recovery.
When it comes to cybersecurity, you face two paths:
Option A: Respond after an incident—pay ransoms, call in crisis teams, notify customers, restore systems, and rebuild your brand. This can cost tens or hundreds of thousands and take weeks or months, leaving lasting scars.
Option B: Proactively defend your business—implement security protocols, educate your employees, monitor threats, and patch vulnerabilities. This approach costs far less and works quietly in the background, ensuring disruption never happens.
Think of cybersecurity like a fire extinguisher: you don't buy one after disaster strikes; you purchase it to avoid ever needing it.
How to Be Unreachable for Cybercriminals in 2026
A vigilant IT partner helps keep you off attackers' radar by:
- Monitoring your digital environment 24/7 to detect threats before they escalate
- Securing access so a single compromised password won't jeopardize your entire system
- Providing training on sophisticated scams that bypass typical defenses
- Implementing verification policies making wire fraud nearly impossible via email alone
- Maintaining tested backups to ensure ransomware is a minor inconvenience, not a disaster
- Continuously patching systems to close vulnerabilities before criminals exploit them
Choose fire prevention—not firefighting.
Cybercriminals are already mapping their 2026 agenda, confident small businesses will remain easy targets.
Let's prove them wrong.
Remove Your Business from Their Hit List Today
Schedule a comprehensive New Year Security Reality Check.
We'll identify your vulnerabilities, prioritize what matters most, and strategize how you can stop being an easy mark in 2026.
No fear-mongering or tech jargon. Just a straightforward snapshot of your current security posture and actionable next steps.
Click here or give us a call at (210) 582-5814 to book your Discovery Call.
After all, the best New Year's resolution is ensuring you don't become anyone else's cybercrime statistic.
