January 26, 2026
Right now, while you're setting your New Year's goals, a cybercriminal is devising theirs.
This isn't about wellness or work-life harmony.
They're analyzing what schemes succeeded in 2025 and plotting how to exploit more in 2026.
And small businesses? They're prime targets.
Not because you're negligent.
Because your day is packed.
Cybercriminals thrive on busy schedules.
Let's uncover their 2026 tactics — and how you can thwart them.
Malicious Plan #1: "Phishing Emails That Fool Even the Savviest"
Forget the days of obvious scam emails.
With AI's help, attackers craft emails that:
- Sound authentic and natural
- Mimic your company's unique voice
- Include legitimate vendors you trust
- Avoid typical giveaways that raise suspicion
It's not about spelling mistakes anymore—it's all about perfect timing.
January is prime because you're catching up post-holidays, distracted and rushing.
Here's a typical deceptive email:
"Hi [your actual name], I couldn't deliver the updated invoice; it bounced back. Could you confirm this is the correct email for accounting? I've attached the new version. Let me know if you need anything else. Thanks, [your actual vendor's name]"
No extravagant promises or urgent wire transfers—just a convincing note from someone familiar.
How You Fight Back:
- Educate your team to verify every request involving money or credentials through separate communication channels.
- Deploy advanced email filters that detect and quarantine impersonation attempts, especially those coming from suspicious servers.
- Promote a culture where double-checking and cautiousness is applauded—"I verified before acting" is a badge of honor.
Malicious Plan #2: "Impersonate Your Vendors or Executives"
This one feels alarmingly real.
An email might read:
"We've updated our bank info; please use this new account for payments going forward."
Or your bookkeeper might get a text from "the CEO":
"Urgent wire transfer required now. I'm in meetings and can't answer calls."
Sometimes, it's even more sinister—deepfake voice scams have surged, cloning voices from podcasts or online clips. Suddenly, the "CEO" calls for a quick favor with a perfect imitation.
This isn't science fiction; it happens daily.
How You Fight Back:
- Implement a strict callback policy: always confirm bank account changes via a trusted phone number, never those listed in emails.
- No payments move forward without voice confirmations through verified channels.
- Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on all finance and administration accounts—passwords alone aren't enough.
Malicious Plan #3: "Small Businesses Are the New Favorite Target"
While cybercriminals once pursued big corporations—banks, hospitals, Fortune 500s—enhanced security measures and stricter insurance policies have made those attacks riskier.
The smarter criminals shifted strategies.
Instead of risking one massive $5 million heist, they go for numerous $50,000 strikes with much higher chances of success.
Small businesses hold valuable data and money but often lack dedicated security teams.
Attackers know:
- You're stretched thin
- No dedicated cybersecurity personnel
- Constantly juggling multiple priorities
- Belief that your business is too small to be a target
This last assumption is their greatest advantage.
How You Fight Back:
- Don't be an easy target: use essential protections like MFA, timely updates, and reliable backups to outmatch neighboring businesses and discourage attackers.
- Eliminate the myth that your size shields you from attacks—you're just less visible, not less vulnerable.
- Partner with cybersecurity experts who can safeguard your business without the need for an in-house team.
Malicious Plan #4: "Exploit New Employees and Tax Season Vulnerabilities"
January brings fresh hires, and they often don't yet know your security protocols.
Eager and trusting, new staff may not question authority, making them ideal targets.
Attackers might send messages like:
"I'm the CEO—handle this urgently! I'm traveling and unavailable."
Established employees might hesitate, but new hires eager to impress comply immediately.
Tax season intensifies these risks with scams targeting W-2 forms, payroll systems, and fake IRS notices.
Criminals impersonate HR or executives to urgently request employee tax forms, stealing sensitive data to file fraudulent returns before your team does.
How You Fight Back:
- Integrate security training into onboarding—before new hires access email, ensure they recognize scams and know that urgent gift card requests are always a red flag.
- Set clear written policies like "W-2s are never emailed" and "payment requests must be verified by phone," then regularly test compliance.
- Celebrate employees who confirm suspicious requests rather than dismissing their caution.
Prevention Always Outperforms Recovery.
When it comes to cybersecurity, you have two choices:
Choice A: Respond after an attack—pay ransoms, hire emergency teams, alert customers, rebuild infrastructure, and repair your brand. This often costs tens or hundreds of thousands and drags on for months, leaving lasting scars.
Choice B: Proactively secure your business. Train your team, monitor threats continuously, patch vulnerabilities early, and prevent breaches. This costs a fraction of recovery and runs quietly in the background, keeping you safe.
Fire extinguishers aren't bought after a blaze. They're bought because you hope never to need them.
Make 2026 the Year You Defeat Cybercriminals.
A trusted IT partner fortifies your defenses by:
- 24/7 system monitoring to detect threats before they escalate
- Strengthening access controls so one compromised password won't spell disaster
- Training staff on recognizing sophisticated scams—not just obvious ones
- Implementing verification processes that prevent wire fraud despite convincing emails
- Maintaining and testing backups so ransomware causes only temporary setbacks
- Regularly applying patches to close vulnerabilities before hackers find them
Be proactive, not reactive.
Cybercriminals are crafting their plans for 2026, betting on your unpreparedness.
Let's outsmart and outpace them.
Shield Your Business from Becoming Their Next Victim.
Schedule a New Year Security Reality Check.
Discover your vulnerabilities, prioritize what matters, and learn how to stop being an easy target in 2026.
No scare tactics. No confusing jargon. Just a straightforward snapshot of your security and actionable next steps.
Click here or give us a call at 866-523-2985 to book your 15-Minute Discovery Call.
Because the best resolution you can make is to never be on a criminal's to-do list.
