January 26, 2026
While most Plymouth-area business owners start the year thinking about growth, staffing, and getting back into a rhythm after the holidays, cybercriminals are doing something similar.
They're reviewing what worked last year.
They're refining their tactics.
And they're looking for the easiest targets.
For 2026, those targets aren't massive enterprises with full security teams. They're small and mid-sized businesses — especially ones that are busy, stretched thin, and juggling tax season, onboarding, and day-to-day operations.
Not because those businesses are careless.
Because they're human.
Below is what we're seeing shape up as the most common attack patterns this year — and what actually stops them.
Resolution #1: Craft Phishing Emails That Fly Under the Radar
The obvious scam emails are mostly gone.
Today's phishing attempts are well-written, calm, and familiar. Many are generated or refined using AI, which means they:
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Match the tone your vendors use
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Reference real services you actually work with
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Avoid urgency that feels cartoonish
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Arrive at moments when requests make sense
January and early Q1 are especially popular. People are catching up, reconciling accounts, and moving quickly.
A typical example looks like this:
"Hi [your name], the updated invoice bounced back. Can you confirm the correct accounting email? I've attached the revised copy. Let me know if you have any questions."
Nothing alarming. Nothing sloppy. Just plausible enough to slip through.
What actually helps
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Verifying any request involving money or credentials using a second, known channel
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Email security that flags impersonation and unusual sender behavior
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A culture where pausing to double-check is seen as responsible, not inconvenient
Resolution #2: Impersonate Your Vendors or Leadership
This is where scams start to feel unsettlingly personal.
We're seeing more messages to Plymouth businesses that claim:
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A vendor has updated their payment details
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Leadership needs an urgent wire or ACH transfer
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A quick action is needed "while I'm in a meeting"
In some cases, attackers are now using voice cloning to leave convincing voicemails that sound like real executives.
This isn't experimental. It's already happening.
What actually helps
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A strict callback policy using phone numbers you already trust
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No payment or banking changes without verbal confirmation
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Multi-factor authentication (MFA) everywhere it's available
These controls aren't about distrust. They're about removing ambiguity.
Resolution #3: Target Small Businesses More Aggressively
Large organizations have invested heavily in security. That's pushed attackers toward smaller companies where defenses are thinner and assumptions are dangerous.
Many small businesses in Massachusetts still believe:
"We're too small to be interesting."
That belief is exactly what attackers count on.
Smaller organizations often have:
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Valuable client and financial data
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Fewer layers of approval
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Less monitoring
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Employees wearing multiple hats
From an attacker's perspective, that's efficiency, especially when attacks are so easily automated.
What actually helps
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Core protections like MFA, patching, and tested backups
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Accepting that size doesn't equal safety
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Partnering with experts instead of trying to build security internally
Are You a Plymouth Business Looking for a Cybersecurity Expert? Book a Discovery Call Today
Resolution #4: Exploit New Employee Onboarding and Tax Season Confusion
Early in the year, South Shore businesses are onboarding new hires, preparing W-2s, and responding to tax-related requests. That overlap creates opportunity.
New employees don't yet know what's normal.
Tax requests don't feel unusual.
Pressure to move quickly is high.
That's how W-2 scams still succeed.
The fallout isn't just technical. It's personal. Employees discover the fraud when their legitimate tax returns are rejected. Trust erodes quickly.
What actually helps
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Training new hires before granting full access
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Clear, written rules: no W-2s via email, no exceptions
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Reinforcing verification as good judgment, not hesitation
For Massachusetts Businesses, Prevention is Cheaper Than Recovery
You face two clear choices in cybersecurity:
React After an Attack: Pay ransoms, employ emergency responders, notify clients, rebuild your systems, and manage reputational damage.
Costs soar, recovery drags on, and scars remain.
Prevent Before It Happens: Invest in robust security, train your team, anticipate threats, and patch vulnerabilities.
Costs are far lower and peace of mind priceless.
Think of cybersecurity like a fire extinguisher: it's purchased not to be used, but to be ready.
Defend Your Plymouth-Area Business in 2026
A trusted local IT partner can keep you off cybercriminals' target lists by:
- Offering 24/7 system monitoring to catch threats early
- Securing access points so stolen credentials don't open all doors
- Training your staff on sophisticated scams, not just the obvious ones
- Establishing strict verification for wire transfers and sensitive actions
- Maintaining and routinely testing backups to mitigate ransomware damage
- Applying timely security patches to close loopholes before exploitation
Focus on prevention, not damage control.
Cybercriminals are gearing up for 2026, hoping to find vulnerable, unprepared businesses. Let's turn their predictions upside down.
Remove Your Business from Their Hit List
Schedule a comprehensive New Year Security Reality Check today.
We'll pinpoint your vulnerabilities, prioritize what matters, and help you become a tough target in 2026.
No gimmicks. No technical jargon. Just clear, actionable insights.
Click here or give us a call at 781-837-0069 to book your 15-Minute Discovery Call.
Because the smartest New Year's resolution is making sure you're not on a cybercriminal's to-do list.
Summary:
Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting small and mid-sized businesses in Massachusetts and beyond in 2026 using sophisticated phishing, impersonation, and tax-season scams. Rather than obvious attacks, modern threats rely on realistic emails, vendor impersonation, and exploiting busy periods like onboarding and Q1 financial preparation. Small businesses are often targeted because they move quickly and lack dedicated security teams. By implementing verification policies, multi-factor authentication, employee training, and proactive monitoring, businesses can significantly reduce their risk. Prevention-focused cybersecurity remains far less costly than recovering from an attack.
