Cybersecurity Attacks Explained: How They Work & What’s Coming Next in 2026

Cyberattacks are changing. Instead of broad attempts, attackers are now going after specific systems and vendors. These targeted attacks are harder to spot and can cause damage much faster.

In this article, we walk through the major attacks from recent years, how they happened, and what they tell us about how attackers operate today. You’ll see the patterns that keep showing up, the tactics attackers rely on, and the early signs security teams should pay closer attention to.

What are cybersecurity attacks?

Cybersecurity attacks are attempts to access a system, network, or device without permission. The goal of attackers is almost always the same: gain control of information, disrupt your operations, or profit from the intrusion.

That’s why they look for any entry point they can exploit, such as weak passwords, unpatched software, misconfigured services, or a user who can be tricked through a fake email or link. In fact, misconfiguration or human error accounted for 31% of cloud security incidents in 2024.

Now, the methods they use for this may vary, but the most common include phishing, ransomware, and targeted system hacking.

As more of our work and daily activities move online, these attacks are becoming more frequent and more impactful. That’s why understanding how they work is the first step in strengthening defenses and reducing the risk of a single mistake that could turn into a major incident.

How threat actors carry out attacks

Attackers may get in through older servers or shared accounts that still use weak passwords or outdated software. Once they’re inside, they watch how the system works so they can move around without triggering alerts.

If a company uses third-party vendors, attackers often target those accounts too. A weak vendor login can open the door to a much larger network.

Threat actors also collect login tokens and session cookies because they act like real user keys, allowing them to move around without needing passwords or MFA. From there, they hunt for high-permission accounts, such as old admin logins or unused cloud roles, because these give them wide access.

Types of cybersecurity attacks to watch in 2026

Today organizations of every size, from small teams to global enterprises, are dealing with a sharper set of cybersecurity threats. But three attack types stand out because they’re growing quickly and hitting businesses where they’re most vulnerable. Let’s see what these are:

AI-powered attacks

AI-powered attacks use machine learning and automation to make cyberattacks faster, more targeted, and harder to detect. Instead of relying on broad campaigns, attackers use AI to tailor messages, adapt techniques in real time, and blend into normal user behavior.

The most common use of AI today is in social engineering. Attackers generate realistic phishing emails, messages, and voice calls that closely mimic coworkers, executives, or vendors. These attacks succeed not because they exploit technical flaws, but because they exploit trust — often bypassing security tools by convincing users to act on seemingly legitimate requests.

Beyond initial access, AI changes how attackers operate inside an environment. Automated tools can quickly test permissions, identify valuable systems, and adjust tactics when controls respond, making activity look like routine user behavior rather than an obvious intrusion.

AI-powered attacks are difficult to detect because they:

• Scale highly targeted attacks without relying on repeatable signatures
• Adapt quickly when security controls respond
• Blend malicious actions into normal user and system behavior

What to know next: As AI becomes a standard part of attacker toolkits, defenders must rely less on static rules and more on behavior-based detection and rapid response.

Cloud attacks

Cloud attacks target data and applications hosted in cloud environments, often by exploiting misconfigurations and identity weaknesses rather than technical flaws. As organizations host more workloads on the cloud, attackers follow the data…and the access paths that lead to it.

Most cloud attacks begin with simple gaps such as overly permissive roles, exposed storage, weak authentication, or unprotected API keys. These issues are easy to introduce in fast-moving cloud environments and often go unnoticed because systems continue to function normally.

Common cloud attack patterns include cloud account takeover, misconfiguration-based exposure, and API abuse, all of which rely on valid access rather than obvious exploits. Cloud attacks are difficult to detect because they:

• Rely on valid identities rather than exploits.
• Blend into normal cloud activity across services.
• Can expose multiple systems at once through a single misconfiguration.

What to know next: As cloud usage expands, reducing this risk depends less on perimeter security and more on strong identity controls, continuous configuration monitoring, and visibility into how access is actually used.

IoT device attacks

IoT device attacks target connected hardware such as cameras, sensors, printers, smart locks, and industrial equipment. These devices are often deployed quickly, run outdated firmware, and rely on default or weak credentials, making them easy entry points for attackers. That’s why, in 2025, there were around 820,000 attacks per day targeting these devices.

Unlike traditional endpoints, IoT devices are rarely monitored closely. Once compromised, they can operate quietly for long periods, giving attackers a foothold inside the network without triggering alerts. From there, attackers may use the device to scan internal systems, steal credentials, or move laterally toward more valuable assets.

Common IoT attack techniques include:

• Credential brute-force attacks, where attackers test default or reused passwords
• Botnet infections, which allow attackers to control large numbers of devices for DDoS or scanning
• Lateral movement, using the compromised device as a bridge into core systems

As more operational and business-critical systems rely on connected devices, IoT attacks will continue to grow. Reducing risk depends on basic controls such as network segmentation, firmware updates, and restricting device access to only what is necessary.

Recent real-world cybersecurity attacks

Let’s look at some of the major incidents that have already made headlines.

Interlock ransomware attack on NDC and AMTEC

In March 2025, attackers used stolen credentials to access National Defense Corporation (NDC) and AMTEC systems, exfiltrating 4.2 terabytes of business data. The attack highlights the risks of credential theft and third-party access. Rapid containment and review of vendor permissions helped limit further exposure.

Discord customer support data breach

Hackers targeted a third-party vendor handling Discord support, stealing user data including emails, usernames, and partial payment info. This breach shows that even secure platforms can be compromised through external partners. Discord responded by cutting vendor access, notifying affected users, and tightening third-party security oversight.

Marbled Dust zero-day attack on Kurdish military targets

In April 2024, attackers exploited a previously unknown vulnerability in a chat application to spy on and steal sensitive data. The operation illustrates how zero-day flaws can bypass traditional security controls. Prompt patching and monitoring were critical to stopping further compromise.

Volkswagen 8Base ransomware claims

In September 2024, attackers used phishing and stolen credentials via a third-party vendor to exfiltrate sensitive corporate data from Volkswagen Group. The incident underscores supply chain risk and the need for strict access control across vendors.

Fake Chrome extension “Safery”

A malicious Ethereum wallet extension stole seed phrases from users’ crypto wallets. This example highlights how even small tools or extensions can introduce significant risk if users trust them without verification.

​​2026 cyberattacks trends and outlook : what will change

According to Google’s Cybersecurity Forecast 2026, attackers will treat AI as a regular part of their toolkit, not an experiment. They would use it to scan systems, create malware, and influence the AI models companies deploy.

These attacks may grow because many organizations use large AI systems without fully understanding their vulnerabilities.

• Ransomware and data theft attacks are expected to remain dominant. Threat groups may continue focusing on supply chains, file-transfer tools, and third-party vendors to reach many victims at once.
• Blockchain growth may open new targets. Criminal groups are expected to go after crypto platforms, tokenized assets, and exchanges. Some operations may shift parts of their workflow onto blockchains to avoid takedowns, though this also leaves a public trail investigators can follow.
• Infrastructure may become more attractive targets than individual devices. Attackers may focus on hypervisors and virtualization layers because compromising these systems can affect hundreds of machines simultaneously.
• Industrial environments will likely remain vulnerable. Ransomware groups may design attacks to disrupt systems tied to physical operations, and weak remote access paths could continue to expose these networks.

The shift security teams must prepare for

Cybersecurity attacks in 2026 are expected to become more automated, AI-driven, and focused on critical infrastructure. As a result, security teams relying on slow detection methods may struggle to keep up.

FAQs about Cyberattacks Today