Why Phishing Is Still the number 1 Cyber Threat in 2026
Phishing remains one of the most serious cybersecurity threats in 2026 and continues to be the primary entry point for over 90% of successful cyberattacks. Despite major advances in security technology, attackers increasingly rely on human manipulation, enhanced by generative AI and automation, to bypass technical controls.
According to guidance from the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and industry bodies such as IASME, phishing is no longer limited to poorly written emails. Modern phishing campaigns are highly personalised, multi-channel, and difficult to detect, even for security-aware users.
If you have clicked on a phishing link, the actions you take immediately afterwards can significantly reduce the impact.
Phishing attacks continue to succeed because they exploit trust, urgency, and familiarity rather than technical vulnerabilities alone. In 2026, attackers commonly use AI-powered tools to scale and refine their campaigns.
Key phishing trends in 2026
AI-powered personalisation
Attackers now use generative AI to scrape publicly available data from sources such as LinkedIn, company websites, and social media. This allows them to craft messages that closely resemble legitimate communications from colleagues, suppliers, or trusted organisations.
High volume and targeted attacks
Phishing remains the number one cyber threat to small and medium-sized businesses, with millions of attempts launched every quarter. UK organisations in sectors such as government, IT services, finance, and healthcare are frequently targeted.
Smishing and vishing growth
Phishing is no longer email-only. SMS-based phishing (smishing) and voice-based phishing (vishing) are increasing rapidly. AI voice cloning is now being used to convincingly impersonate executives, IT teams, and suppliers.
Multi-stage and QR-code phishing
Modern phishing attacks are often multi-stage, building trust over several interactions. QR-code phishing, where users are directed to malicious sites via printed or digital QR codes, is becoming more common and harder to spot.
Credential-focused attacks
Most phishing campaigns aim to steal login credentials. Once obtained, attackers can access systems, move laterally across networks, and in some cases bypass multi-factor authentication using session hijacking techniques.
The NCSC continues to identify phishing as a leading cause of ransomware incidents, data breaches, and account compromise across the UK.
What Is Phishing?
Phishing is a type of social engineering attack where cybercriminals send fraudulent emails, messages, calls, or links designed to trick users into revealing sensitive information or installing malicious software.
The NCSC defines phishing as malicious communication intended to:
- Steal usernames and passwords
- Deliver malware or ransomware
- Trick users into making fraudulent payments
- Gain unauthorised access to systems
What to Do Immediately After Clicking a Phishing Link
If you believe you have clicked a phishing link, follow these steps as soon as possible.
1. Stay calm and act quickly
Phishing links do not always trigger immediate signs of compromise. Treat the incident as serious, even if nothing obvious happens.
2. Disconnect from the internet
Disable Wi-Fi, unplug network cables, or switch to airplane mode. This can prevent malware from communicating with external servers or spreading within your network.
3. Do not enter any information
If the link led to a login page or form, do not enter credentials, personal data, or payment details.
4. Run a full malware scan
Use reputable antivirus or endpoint security software to perform a full system scan. If malware is detected, follow remediation guidance or seek professional support.
5. Change passwords immediately
If credentials may have been exposed:
- Change passwords for affected accounts
- Change any other accounts using the same password
- Use strong, unique passwords for each service
6. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)
The NCSC strongly recommends MFA wherever possible. MFA significantly reduces the risk of account compromise, even if passwords are stolen.
7. Back up important data
Ensure backups are current and stored securely offline or in a protected cloud environment.
Reporting Phishing in the UK
Reporting phishing helps protect others and supports national cyber defence efforts.
- Forward phishing emails to report@phishing.gov.uk (NCSC Suspicious Email Reporting Service)
- Forward suspicious text messages to 7726
- Report scams and fraudulent websites via Action Fraud
How to Reduce the Risk of Future Phishing Attacks
In 2026, protecting against phishing requires moving beyond basic awareness training and adopting a phishing‑resistant security architecture. This approach assumes attackers can convincingly mimic human tone, writing style, and even voice using AI.
Guidance from the NCSC and modern security best practice increasingly emphasises identity protection, advanced detection, and behavioural safeguards.
1. Implement phishing‑resistant MFA (identity‑first security)
Traditional MFA methods such as SMS codes or mobile push notifications are no longer sufficient. Attackers can intercept SMS messages, perform SIM‑swap attacks, or exploit MFA fatigue to trick users into approving malicious login attempts.
More resilient alternatives include:
- FIDO2 security keys: Physical hardware keys (such as Yubico or Trustpanda) that use cryptographic authentication rather than codes. These keys only authenticate when the website domain exactly matches the legitimate service, rendering fake phishing sites ineffective.
- Passkeys: Cryptographic credentials built into modern devices that allow users to authenticate using biometrics such as fingerprint or facial recognition. Passkeys are considered verifier‑impersonation resistant and significantly reduce credential theft risk.
- Carrier security controls: To prevent SIM‑swap attacks, users should set a port‑out PIN or additional verification with their mobile network provider.
2. Deploy AI‑native phishing detection tools
AI‑generated phishing content increasingly bypasses traditional email filters. Modern defences now use AI‑native and behavioural analysis to assess intent, not just malicious links or known indicators.
Examples of effective controls include:
- Behavioural anomaly detection: Tools such as Sublime Security or Abnormal Security learn an organisation’s normal communication patterns. They can flag messages that appear to come from executives or finance teams but deviate subtly in tone, metadata, or behaviour.
- Quishing and smishing protection: Specialised tools can scan QR codes before users open them and block malicious SMS messages, reducing exposure to non‑email phishing channels.
3. Adopt contextual and zero‑trust training habits
Because AI can now generate flawless phishing messages, training must shift away from spotting obvious errors and towards challenging unusual or high‑risk requests.
Key practices include:
- Out‑of‑band verification: Any urgent or unexpected request involving payments, credentials, or account changes should be verified through a separate, trusted channel, such as a direct phone call or official application.
- Modern phishing simulations: Organisations should test staff using realistic, AI‑generated phishing scenarios, including SMS, QR‑code and voice‑based attacks.
- Zero‑trust culture: No request—regardless of how senior or authoritative it appears—should bypass security procedures. Encouraging employees to question unusual requests is often the most effective defence against targeted spear‑phishing attacks.
For organisations working towards Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus, these measures align with the scheme’s focus on protecting user accounts, preventing credential compromise, and reducing phishing‑driven breaches.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is phishing still the biggest cyber threat in 2026?
Yes. Phishing remains the number one cyber threat in 2026 and is the most common initial access method used in ransomware, data breaches, and account compromise. The NCSC continues to identify phishing as a leading cause of UK cyber incidents.
Can phishing bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA)?
Yes. Traditional MFA methods such as SMS codes or push notifications can be bypassed through techniques like MFA fatigue, SIM swapping, or session hijacking. This is why phishing-resistant MFA (such as FIDO2 security keys and passkeys) is now recommended.
What is phishing-resistant MFA?
Phishing-resistant MFA uses cryptographic authentication that cannot be replayed or used on fake websites. Examples include hardware security keys and passkeys, which only authenticate when the legitimate service is accessed.
Does Cyber Essentials protect against phishing?
Cyber Essentials reduces phishing risk by requiring controls such as secure configuration, malware protection, patching, and user access management. However, organisations must still implement good identity security, user training, and incident response processes to fully defend against phishing.
What should businesses do after a phishing incident?
Businesses should isolate affected devices, reset credentials, review access logs, report the incident, and assess whether additional controls — such as improved MFA or email security — are required.
Why This Matters
Phishing is no longer a low-effort scam. In 2026, it is a highly professional, AI-enabled attack method responsible for the majority of breaches affecting UK organisations.
Understanding how phishing works — and how to respond when it succeeds — is essential for protecting users, systems, and data.
For organisations pursuing Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus, phishing resilience is closely linked to:
- Secure user access and identity management
- Malware protection and device security
- Vulnerability management and patching
- Incident response readiness
Cyber Tec Security supports organisations with phishing resilience, identity protection, vulnerability assessment scanning, and Cyber Essentials certification support.
If you would like help assessing your exposure to phishing or strengthening your defences, our team can help
