Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated: 3 crucial solutions to help businesses protect themselves in 2026.

For many years, large corporations were often considered the most attractive targets for cybercriminals due to their valuable data and abundant financial resources. Conversely, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMBs) were thought to be less targeted because of their "low yield."

However, the reality of 2025 proved otherwise. As large businesses invested heavily in cybersecurity and increasingly refused to pay ransoms, hackers were forced to shift their focus to more vulnerable targets. SMBs, with their limited security resources, quickly became a "weak point" in the digital ecosystem.

According to new research from Data Breach Observatory – a project of Surfshark, a Dutch cybersecurity company – SMBs now account for a large proportion of recorded data breaches. While the profit from each attack may be lower, by increasing the number of attacks, cybercriminals still ensure a stable source of income.

Analyzing notable data leaks

Examining these specific cases clearly reveals an emerging attack pattern:

The Tracelo data leak in the USThe incident occurred on September 1, 2024, when a hacker using the alias “Satanic” successfully exploited a vulnerability in Tracelo's system – a globally used smartphone location tracking service.

Over 1.4 million user records from a mobile location services company were stolen and offered for sale on the dark web. The leaked data includes customer names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and passwords.

PhoneMondo data leak in GermanyIn January 2025, hackers attacked the German telecommunications platform and call management software PhoneMondo.

The attack resulted in the online leak of 10.5 million records, including sensitive information such as dates of birth, usernames, passwords, and international bank account numbers.

SkilloVilla data leak in IndiaThe incident was revealed in early February 2025, when a cybercriminal claimed to have hacked into and leaked data from the Indian technology education platform SkilloVilla onto dark web forums.

An educational technology platform with a team of only about 60 people exposed over 33 million customer records on the dark web, including names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers.

These incidents demonstrate that business size is no longer a "shield" against cybercrime.

Lessons learned from 2025

Based on data leaks and the overall picture, several prominent trends have shaped 2025:

- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMBs) are the top targets, accounting for 70.5% of recorded data breaches. Companies with 1 to 249 employees are the most vulnerable group.

Retail, technology, and media/entertainment are the sectors most targeted.

- Names and contact information are the most common types of data found on the dark web, present in 9 out of 10 leaks, increasing the risk of fraud targeting employees.

Given these trends, it is highly likely that hackers will continue to target SMBs as a priority in 2026.

How can we prevent data leaks in 2026?

Data leaks are not inevitable. With the right approach and tools, small and medium-sized businesses can absolutely improve their defenses without incurring excessive costs.

Implement two-factor authentication (2FA).

If a system relies solely on usernames and passwords, the risk of breaches increases significantly. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection, like an OTP code, security key, or biometrics, making it more difficult for hackers to gain access even with the password.

Access control based on the least authority principle.

Not every employee needs access to all the data. Applying the principle of least access helps reduce the number of access points to the system, limiting damage if an account is compromised. Access rights should be accompanied by a strong password policy, password reuse, and regular monitoring for data leaks on the dark web.

Securely store and manage sensitive data.

Leaked email and password information can lead to phishing attacks or account compromises. Using an enterprise password manager helps create and store strong, secure autofill passwords, while also allowing login credentials to be shared when needed without data breaches. This is an effective way to protect critical access points within a business network.

The year 2025 clearly demonstrated that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are no longer immune to hackers' attacks. Entering 2026, proactively reviewing data, tightening access controls, and investing appropriately in cybersecurity will be crucial for survival, helping SMBs avoid becoming the next victims in the increasingly serious wave of data breaches.