2026 Cyber Risks: Critical Attack Patterns, Infrastructure Fragility, Manipulated Behaviors, Quantum Risks and AI Exposure
Published
Key Takeaways
- Attackers targeting systemic weakness: Concentrated cloud and productivity platforms are creating high-leverage entry points.
- Behavior manipulation for intrusion: Misleading security advice may be weaponized to weaken account security for attacks.
- Data misuse: Stolen encrypted data may become readable once quantum decryption matures, encouraging data theft.
NordVPN has released an analysis outlining several cybersecurity risks expected to become more prominent in 2026.
The internet’s reliance on a limited group of cloud and productivity platforms has created an environment where a single outage, or configuration issue can disrupt segments of the digital ecosystem.
Information Manipulation and AI-Driven Capabilities
According to the findings, misleading security advice circulating across major social platforms is contributing to user exposure. Incorrect guidance produced through human error or AI systems appears alongside sustained activity that encourages unsafe account practices, giving attackers an advantage before any intrusion begins.
In a statement shared with TechNadu, Marijus Briedis, CTO at NordVPN, noted the scale of the shift ahead saying, “As we approach 2026, advancements in AI and emerging quantum technologies are transforming the cybersecurity landscape. Threat actors are shifting focus from basic data theft to undermining trust. The rise of malicious AI tools and autonomous agents is enabling criminals to automate and scale cyberattacks, lowering barriers to entry.”
He added that this evolution extends beyond immediate threats, “Simultaneously, attackers are adopting a ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ approach, stealing encrypted data in anticipation of future quantum decryption capabilities. As a result, our challenges now include not only securing networks but also verifying authenticity in the face of deepfakes and synthetic identities.”
Malicious artificial intelligence tools are enabling broader campaigns by automating phishing, intrusion support, and other offensive actions. The availability of these tools reduces the skill required to conduct attacks and allows operators to scale operations with fewer technical barriers. Users who share sensitive information with AI systems may face additional exposure if that material becomes a target.
Synthetic identity activity is identified as another emerging pressure point. Attackers are blending stolen personal information with AI-generated voice or facial profiles to create digital identities capable of passing basic verification checks.
These profiles support unauthorized account creation, cloud access, and fraud that may remain active and undetected.
The analysis notes that some groups are collecting encrypted information with the expectation that future decryption methods may make the data readable, incentivising retention of sensitive data.
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