January 26, 2026
Right this moment, cybercriminals are crafting their own New Year's resolutions.
They aren't setting goals like "self-care" or "work-life balance." Instead, they're analyzing their successes in 2025 and strategizing how to exploit vulnerabilities even more effectively in 2026.
And guess who their prime victims are? Small businesses.
Not due to negligence.
But because you're busy.
And cyber attackers thrive when you are distracted.
Here's the cybercriminals' 2026 playbook—and how you can disrupt it.
Cybercriminal Resolution #1: "I Will Craft Phishing Emails That Feel Genuine"
The days of clumsy, obvious scam emails are behind us.
Thanks to AI, phishing messages now:
- Sound naturally conversational
- Mirror your company's specific communication style
- Include mentions of real vendors and partners you work with
- Avoid the typical red flags that used to give them away
It's not about typos anymore—it's all about perfect timing.
January is especially risky since everyone is juggling post-holiday catch-up and moving fast.
Modern phishing might read like this:
"Hi [your actual name], I attempted to send the updated invoice but it bounced back. Could you confirm this is still the correct accounting email? Here's the revised file — feel free to ask if you have any questions. Thanks, [name of your actual vendor]"
No flashy scams, no urgent wire transfer demands—just a perfectly normal request appearing from someone you know.
How to Defeat This Trick:
- Educate your team to always verify suspicious requests through separate communication channels, especially those involving money or sensitive information.
- Deploy advanced email filters that detect impersonation attempts, like emails claiming to be from your accountant but originating from unfamiliar regions.
- Encourage a workplace culture where double-checking is valued and seen as smart, not suspicious.
Cybercriminal Resolution #2: "I Will Imitate Your Vendors and Leadership"
This tactic is especially deceptive because it feels authentic.
For example, you might receive an email:
"We've updated our bank details. Please send future payments to this new account."
Or a text from someone claiming to be "the CEO" could say:
"Urgent! Wire this payment immediately, I'm tied up in a meeting and can't discuss."
Sometimes, it's not even a text:
Deepfake voice scams are increasing—they replicate voices from online videos, podcasts, or voicemail greetings. Your "CEO" might call your finance team requesting urgent action with a voice that sounds exactly like them.
This isn't science fiction; it's happening right now.
How to Outsmart This Scam:
- Set a strict callback policy for any banking changes—verify changes only by calling known phone numbers, never numbers from the message itself.
- Require voice confirmation on any payment instructions via established communication channels.
- Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on all finance and administrative accounts to block unauthorized access even if credentials are stolen.
Cybercriminal Resolution #3: "I Will Intensify Attacks on Small Businesses"
While large organizations like banks and hospitals used to be the main targets,
Improved cybersecurity and stricter insurance policies have made them tougher to breach.
So cybercriminals have shifted tactics.
Rather than focus on a single $5 million heist that's risky, they now prefer hundreds of $50,000 attacks on easier targets.
Small businesses hold valuable assets and data but often lack dedicated security teams.
Attackers bank on:
- Understaffed teams
- No full-time cybersecurity experts
- Staff overwhelmed balancing many roles
- The misconception that "we're too small to matter"
That mindset is their biggest advantage.
How to Shield Your Business:
- Implement fundamental protections—MFA, timely software updates, and regularly tested backups—to make your business less attractive than others.
- Reject the notion "we're too small to be targeted". Small size doesn't grant immunity—it just means your breaches might go unreported.
- Partner with cybersecurity professionals who provide vigilant support tailored to your business needs.
Cybercriminal Resolution #4: "I Will Exploit New Hire Season and Tax Time"
January welcomes fresh employees who often aren't yet familiar with your security protocols.
Eager to impress and please, new hires may not hesitate to comply without questioning authority.
To cybercriminals, this is the perfect opportunity.
Impersonation might involve a message like:
"I'm the CEO, traveling but need this handled urgently."
Veteran employees might hesitate—new hires eager to do well might act immediately.
Tax season scams also spike: fake W-2 requests, payroll phishing attempts, bogus IRS notices aiming to steal sensitive employee data.
Once criminals obtain W-2s, they access employees' Social Security numbers, addresses, and salaries, allowing them to file fraudulent tax returns before legitimate employees do. The real victims discover issues only when their genuine returns are rejected as duplicates.
Your Defense Strategy:
- Include thorough security training during onboarding so new hires recognize scams even before email access is granted.
- Establish and enforce clear policies—such as "We never email W-2s" and "Every payment request requires phone verification." Document and test these rules.
- Encourage and reward employees who proactively verify suspicious requests, promoting a vigilant culture.
Prevention is Always Superior to Recovery.
When it comes to cybersecurity, you have two clear paths:
Option A: Respond reactively post-attack—pay ransoms, hire emergency support, notify customers, rebuild systems, repair your reputation. This can cost tens or hundreds of thousands and take months. Survival is uncertain and the impact unforgettable.
Option B: Proactively prevent attacks—strengthen your security, train your staff, monitor systems continuously, and close openings before criminals exploit them. Investment is minimal compared to Option A, and peace of mind is priceless.
You wouldn't buy a fire extinguisher after your building burned down—you get it to ensure it never has to be used.
How to Defend Your Business Effectively
Partner with a skilled IT provider who will:
- Monitor your IT environment around the clock to detect risks before damage occurs
- Harden access and credentials to block intrusions even if passwords are compromised
- Educate your team about sophisticated modern scams—not just the obvious ones
- Implement rigorous verification procedures so wire fraud can't proceed with just an email
- Maintain and test backups to reduce ransomware from disaster-level to manageable inconvenience
- Perform regular patching and vulnerability management to seal security gaps promptly
Focus on preventing fires, not just extinguishing them.
While criminals set ambitious 2026 plans counting on unprotected businesses like yours, you can be the unexpected obstacle.
Make it clear: Your business won't be an easy target.
Take Control and Remove Your Business from Cybercriminals' Radar
Schedule your New Year Security Reality Check today.
We'll reveal exactly where your vulnerabilities lie, prioritize the most critical risks, and guide you on how to safeguard yourself from becoming a target in 2026.
No hype. No confusing jargon. Just straightforward insight and actionable steps.
Click here or give us a call at 952-941-7333 to schedule your Consult.
Remember, the best New Year's resolution you make is to avoid becoming someone else's cybercrime achievement.
