January creates the perfect opening for cybercriminals, especially when it comes to how cybercriminals target small Texas businesses. After the holidays, many companies return to full operations while still running on relaxed habits from December. At the same time, attackers know businesses feel busy, distracted, and focused on the new year.
Because of this timing, January consistently brings an increase in phishing emails, account takeovers, and ransomware attempts aimed at small businesses. While large enterprises receive headlines, attackers quietly focus on smaller companies that lack full-time security staff.
Most attacks don’t rely on advanced hacking. Instead, they exploit routine behavior that feels harmless during a busy restart.
Post-Holiday Password Exposure Creates Opportunity
During the holidays, employees often reuse work passwords for personal shopping, travel sites, or seasonal promotions. As a result, those passwords frequently end up in large data breaches announced weeks later.
Once January begins, attackers test those leaked passwords against business email and cloud accounts. Because many businesses still rely on passwords alone, attackers gain access without triggering alarms.
However, businesses that enforce strong password rules and multi-factor authentication immediately reduce this risk. In contrast, companies that delay updates give attackers an open window.
Fake Invoices and “New Year” Emails Surge in January
Another common tactic involves fake invoices and urgent emails that reference:
- New year billing updates
- Updated tax documents
- Vendor payment confirmations
- Payroll or bonus adjustments
Because these messages align with real January activity, employees trust them more easily. Consequently, phishing success rates rise sharply during the first few weeks of the year.
Attackers rely on speed and pressure. Therefore, they often include language like “action required today” or “account suspended.” Once someone clicks the link, attackers harvest login credentials or deliver malware.
Remote Work Habits Remain a Weak Spot
Although many businesses return to the office in January, remote access remains common. Unfortunately, attackers know this and actively scan for exposed remote systems.
In many cases, small businesses still use:
- Weak remote desktop passwords
- Shared credentials
- Unpatched VPN software
As a result, attackers gain entry without ever sending an email. Instead, they simply log in.
Because of this risk, January becomes a testing ground for attackers probing which businesses kept systems updated over the holidays—and which ones did not.
Outdated Devices After the Holidays Increase Risk
During December, many companies pause updates to avoid disruptions. While that choice feels reasonable, it creates problems in January.
Unpatched devices often contain known vulnerabilities that attackers actively exploit. Therefore, cybercriminals target businesses that delay updates into the new year.
Even worse, some businesses add new devices in January without proper security setup. As a result, those systems connect to networks without antivirus, monitoring, or policy enforcement.
Tax Season Scams Begin Earlier Than Most Expect
Although tax season feels far away, attackers start early. In January, they send emails pretending to be:
- Accountants
- Payroll services
- Tax software providers
These messages often request employee data, W-2 information, or login access. Because businesses expect tax-related communication soon, employees comply without verifying the sender.
Consequently, identity theft and financial fraud spike long before filing deadlines arrive.
Why Small Texas Businesses Get Targeted More Often
Cybercriminals don’t target Texas businesses because of geography alone. Instead, they focus on predictable patterns.
Small Texas businesses often:
- Operate lean teams
- Rely on trust and long-term relationships
- Avoid complex security tools
- Delay upgrades to control costs
Because of this, attackers assume weaker defenses. While that assumption isn’t always true, it proves accurate often enough to keep them trying.
What January Attacks Have in Common
Despite different tactics, January attacks share three traits:
- They exploit routine behavior
- They rely on stolen credentials
- They succeed when security gaps go unnoticed
Fortunately, these attacks also fail quickly when businesses apply basic protections consistently.
How SofTouch Systems Helps Reduce January Risk
At SofTouch Systems, we focus on preventing predictable attacks rather than reacting after damage occurs.
We help businesses:
- Enforce multi-factor authentication
- Keep antivirus definitions current
- Monitor systems continuously
- Identify risky behavior early
- Educate employees without fear tactics
Because we manage these protections year-round, our clients don’t enter January exposed or guessing.
Prevention Beats Cleanup Every Time
Once an attacker gains access, recovery costs rise fast. Downtime, lost trust, and emergency response always cost more than prevention.
However, businesses that enter January with enforced policies, updated systems, and monitoring avoid most of these issues entirely.
That difference separates calm starts to the year from chaotic ones.
Final Thought
Cybercriminals don’t need creativity. They rely on timing, distraction, and routine mistakes.
January gives them all three.
When businesses understand how cybercriminals target small Texas businesses, they gain the advantage. Preparation turns predictable attacks into failed attempts—and keeps the new year focused on growth instead of recovery.
SofTouch Systems MSP for business
Not sure where your business stands going into the new year?
SofTouch Systems offers a 15-Minute January Security Checkup to identify common gaps attackers exploit during this time of year.
We’ll review your exposure, explain risks in plain English, and help you start the year protected, without surprises.
