Executive SummaryThe findings in this report come from the results of active defense engagements with BEC threat actors. Every month, Fortra Intelligence & Research Experts (FIRE) conducts hundreds of these engagements to collect comprehensive intelligence about BEC tactics and trends to help better understand how the BEC threat landscape is evolving. The primary findings for January 2026...

The viral AI work caricature trend on Instagram is prompting users to generate job‑based AI images, unintentionally exposing sensitive personal and professional information. This activity highlights how easily threat actors can identify potential targets, exploit publicly shared details, and attempt LLM account takeovers or prompt‑based data extraction. The trend underscores broader risks of shadow AI, including the leakage of proprietary or sensitive data when employees use public LLMs. Organizations are encouraged to strengthen AI governance, monitor for compromised credentials, and deploy data‑security tools to prevent unauthorized access and disclosure.

Discover January 2026’s top patch priorities, including critical Microsoft and Google vulnerabilities across Windows, Office, Edge, SharePoint, SQL Server, and more.

Introduction to the HaxorSEO MarketplaceFortra Intelligence and Research Experts (FIRE) have uncovered a group of active malicious threat actors operating since 2020. The group refers to themselves as Haxor, a slang word for hackers, and their marketplace as HxSEO, or HaxorSEO. HxSEO has established its primary base of operations and marketplace on Telegram and WhatsApp. HxSEO stands out for...