Forget the idea that cyber scams will “slow down” in 2026—everything points to them becoming faster, more personalized, and far more convincing. And at TecnetOne, we’re seeing it more clearly than ever: with digital payments, daily smartphone use, and AI tools, scammers are playing at a professional level.
In the end, the big question we all have is pretty straightforward: What scams will be most common in 2026, and what can I do—step by step—to avoid falling for them?
In this article, we’ll walk you through the top 5 cyber risks expected in 2026 (from WhatsApp fraud and deepfakes to AI-powered malware, data theft, and contactless payment scams) and share a practical, easy-to-follow plan to stay safe day to day.
Why 2026 Will Be a Big Year for Cyber Scams
Today we pay with our phones, use online banking, authorize purchases through apps, receive receipts via messaging, and handle official tasks through links. It’s all about convenience… but also a massive surface for fraud.
The trend is growing: cybercrime is scaling up thanks to automation and AI, which make fake messages, cloned websites, and mass campaigns look real and reach thousands of people. In particular, financial threats and scams exploiting messaging, identity theft, and mobile payments are expected to surge.
The good news is that you don’t need to be tech-savvy to protect yourself. In most cases, what determines whether you fall for a scam or not is your process—habits, verification steps, and simple settings.
Top Financial Security Risks in 2026
With the boom in digital payments, increased smartphone use, and scammers becoming much more “pro,” the threat landscape has already shifted—and 2026 will only raise the stakes.
In fact, many 2026 predictions are based on what happened in 2025: the financial sector was one of the hardest hit, with over 1,338,357 attempted banking trojan attacks and a notable percentage of organizations affected by ransomware. In other words, this isn’t a theory—it’s a trend.
Here are the top cyber risks expected for 2026:
1. AI-Powered Malware: Attacks That Adapt on Their Own
The big game-changer for 2026 will be the arrival of a new generation of AI-powered malware. What does this mean in practice? Malicious software will no longer behave in predictable ways—it will be able to analyze its environment, adjust its strategy to bypass defenses, and fine-tune its targets in real time.
That makes it much harder to detect and stop, because it’s no longer a predictable virus—it’s one that tests paths, learns, and adapts. Traditional security solutions will need to evolve fast: AI malware is aiming for “active resilience,” capable of changing techniques and infiltration routes without any human input.
2. WhatsApp as a Trojan Horse: Fraud Through Chat
WhatsApp is part of everyday life—and that makes it a perfect channel for scams. The trend is clear: banking trojans and malicious campaigns are being optimized to spread via messaging, taking advantage of the trust we place in our chats.
The danger here is how quickly this can escalate: a well-crafted message + a link or file + a moment of distraction, and you’re in. Plus, since many people still use online banking on Windows PCs, “classic” malware still has fertile ground and remains highly effective.
3. Deepfakes + AI: Identity Theft More Convincing Than Ever
In 2026, we’ll see more social engineering scams using deepfakes—fake audio and video generated by AI to make it seem like a real person (your boss, a relative, a recruiter, or a “bank executive”) is speaking to you.
These tactics can be used to manipulate everything from job interviews to identity verification (KYC) processes. The key issue? The deception becomes much more convincing, and spotting the scam gets harder—especially if the attack adds pressure, urgency, or an emotional story.
Plus, underground markets selling pre-made tools are likely to grow, lowering the barrier for more criminals to use them.
4. Regional Info Stealers and MaaS: Tailored, Rentable Attacks
Another major trend is the rise of regional “info stealers”: malware built to steal information (credentials, sessions, browser data) but customized for specific countries or regions, factoring in local banking habits, popular services, and digital behaviors.
This is amplified by the Malware as a Service (MaaS) model—essentially, low-experience criminals can rent highly effective tools without being experts. And when the attack is fine-tuned to a specific market, its precision—and damage—goes way up.
5. Contactless Payments (NFC): More Convenience, More Fraud Potential
Contactless payments via NFC are super convenient—just tap your phone or card and go. The issue is, as this tech becomes part of everyday routines, more abuse attempts are emerging: tools and tactics designed to intercept, tamper with, or steal information from proximity-based transactions.
Important note: NFC isn’t “insecure by default,” but it does open a new “Pandora’s box” if people use it without basic safeguards (screen lock, spending limits, purchase alerts, and proper settings).
Read more: FIFA World Cup 2026: A New Opportunity for Cybercriminals?
How to Avoid Financial Risks in 2026
The goal isn’t to live in fear, but to build simple habits that save you major headaches. At TecnetOne, we see it often: when someone falls for a scam, it’s usually because of a preventable mistake—an urgent click, a sketchy app, or an overly open setting. Here are the tips that make the biggest difference, split into sections for individual users and businesses.
For Users
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Download apps only from official stores: No “premium” APKs, weird links, or installers sent via WhatsApp. Stick to Google Play, the App Store, or your device manufacturer’s official store. It’s not foolproof, but it drastically reduces the chances of installing fake or malware-infected apps.
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Keep NFC off when not in use: NFC is super convenient for payments, yes—but leaving it on all the time increases your exposure. Best practice: turn it on only when you’re about to pay, then switch it off. Extra tip: if you use physical cards, a wallet or case with RFID blocking also helps.
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Check your transactions regularly (seriously): No need to obsess, but make it a habit—check your banking app and recent activity every few days. Many scams start with small “test” charges. If you spot them early, you can block, report, and minimize the damage in time.
For Businesses
1) Audit your infrastructure and find vulnerabilities before attackers do (including pentesting): System, network, and access audits help uncover security gaps that internal routines often overlook.
At TecnetOne, we recommend pairing audits with pentesting (penetration testing): simulating real-world attacks in a controlled way to find potential entry points, assess how far an attacker could get, and evaluate the impact. If possible, bring in external evaluators too—an independent perspective often catches what your team has normalized and provides a clear, prioritized action plan.
2) Use integrated platforms (fewer gaps, better visibility): Having a bunch of disconnected tools often leaves “blind spots” between alerts. Migrating to integrated solutions like TecnetProtect improves early detection, speeds up response time, and helps prevent minor incidents from turning into major breaches.
3) Ongoing updates and training (the most cost-effective defense): Most attacks start with people—phishing emails, malicious links, impersonation via messaging. Regular training (short, practical, and realistic) builds your first line of defense. And yes—it significantly reduces cybercriminal success rates.
Conclusion
In 2026, many scams won’t look like “Hollywood hacks.” They’ll come in familiar forms: messages that sound real, fake urgencies, AI-powered impersonations, and small oversights in your phone, banking, or account settings.
The good news is, you don’t need to become an expert to stay safe. At TecnetOne, we say it often: with basic habits (double-checking before transferring money, only downloading apps from official stores, and reviewing your account activity), you can reduce your risk dramatically. And for businesses, the difference lies in having a solid foundation: frequent audits, pentesting, integrated monitoring, and continuous training.
Put simply: it’s not about fear—it’s about having a system. And the sooner you apply it, the less likely you are to learn the hard way.