Cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving, and staying informed about the latest trends is crucial for both individuals and organizations. Here are some of the most significant trends in cybercrime and cybersecurity threats as of January 2026, based on insights from Redditors:

Phishing and Social Engineering

Phishing remains a pervasive threat, with new and more sophisticated methods emerging regularly.

• Sophisticated Phishing Campaigns: Attackers are using urgent language and trusted-looking sources to steal credentials. "There has been an increase in sophisticated phishing emails targeting both individuals and organizations."

• AI-Driven Phishing: The use of AI to create highly personalized and convincing phishing emails is on the rise. "AI will make this so much worse. Now instead of getting a classic phishing mail you could send an entire company personalized phishing mails based on social media profiles etc."

• Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS): This model makes it easier for bad actors to launch convincing attacks. "Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS) exploded in 2025, making it easier for bad actors to launch convincing attacks."

Ransomware

Ransomware continues to be a major threat, with new techniques and higher stakes.

• Evolving Ransomware Tactics: Recent cases show that ransomware has evolved to not only encrypt data but also to threaten public exposure of sensitive information. "Ransomware attacks: Recent cases show that ransomware has evolved not only to encrypt data but also to threaten public exposure of sensitive information."

• Remote Management Tool Exploitation: Groups like Akira are weaponizing remote management tools to conduct attacks. "SOC case files revealed how groups like Akira weaponized remote management tools."

Insider Threats

Data breaches caused by internal actors remain a significant concern.

• Accidental and Deliberate Breaches: Some incidents are caused by deliberate sabotage, while others occur due to mistakes or careless handling of sensitive information. "Data breaches caused by internal actors remain a concern."

• User Weakness: Users are often the weakest link in cybersecurity. "Phishing is still the biggest cyber threat, people will always be the weakest link in Cybersecurity."

Malware and AI Threats

New malware variants and the use of AI in attacks are increasing.

• Malware Evolution: New malware variants are increasingly able to evade traditional antivirus software. "New malware variants are increasingly able to evade traditional antivirus software."

• Malicious AI Tools: Threat actors are leveraging AI to enhance their attack capabilities. "Threat actors began leveraging mal..."

Cloud and Supply Chain Attacks

The reliance on cloud services and complex supply chains introduces new vulnerabilities.

• Cloud Security Risks: Everyone being in the cloud increases the attack surface. "Everyone being in clouds."

• Supply Chain Attacks: These attacks can have a cascading effect, affecting multiple organizations. "Not sure if it qualifies as recent, but the SolarWinds incident where they got hacked and had malicious code injected into their source, which got compiled and deployed to customers."

Recommendations

To stay ahead of these threats, cybersecurity professionals recommend:

• Continuous Education and Awareness: Educating people on securing their information and providing training to raise awareness. "Cybercriminals are constantly evolving, so one important way to protect ourselves is by educating people on securing their information and providing training to raise awareness."

• Implementing Strong Security Practices: Maintaining backups, applying multi-layered defenses, and using phishing-resistant MFA. "Implement phishing resistant mfa. Like right now."

• Staying Updated with Threat Intelligence: Following reliable sources and using tools to keep up with the latest threats. "Create a Feedly account and throw every threat intelligence/cybersecurity website you can get your dirty little hands on into it."

Subreddits for Further Discussion

• r/cybersecurity

• r/Cybersecurity101

• r/netsec

These communities are great places to ask more specific questions and get advice from experienced cybersecurity professionals.