INSIGHTS HUB

Cyber Threats 2026: When trust becomes a Vulnerability

February 3, 2026

February 3, 2026

From Signal malware to Nike's breach and WinRAR exploits. Discover why trust is the new vulnerability and how SEG protects your business in 2026.

This week’s critical incidents have highlighted a troubling trend: attackers are increasingly exploiting our trust in everyday tools rather than technical “holes.” When security is based on assumptions rather than verification, a breach becomes only a matter of time. In this digest, we cover 3 stories that force a rethink of endpoint and communication security.

Point 1: Trust as an Attack Vector

🚀 PLUGGYAPE Malware Attacks via Signal and WhatsApp

Threat Identification: The Void Blizzard threat actor group has begun using encrypted messengers to deliver PLUGGYAPE malware. Messages are disguised as legitimate business inquiries; once the file is opened, the spyware grants attackers full control over the data.
Why It Matters: Traditional security perimeters (email gateways and firewalls) cannot inspect messenger traffic. Because Signal and WhatsApp are considered “safe,” users lower their guard. This creates an ideal entry point for targeted espionage.
The SEG Solution: We help expand Security Awareness programs by focusing on threats beyond email. Our experts deploy EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) solutions capable of detecting anomalous process behavior, regardless of how the virus entered the system.
🔗 Read more: The Hacker News – PLUGGYAPE Malware

Point 2: The Silent Leak — A New Corporate Norm

🏦 Nike Investigates Large-Scale Data Breach

Threat Identification: Global giant Nike confirmed it is investigating unauthorized access to its systems. The attackers’ priority was not business disruption, but rather the theft of sensitive information for subsequent extortion and reputational pressure.
Why It Matters: Modern hackers move silently. They can remain in a network for months, studying behavior and slowly exfiltrating data. If you don’t notice anomalous traffic movement within the network, you may only discover the breach once the data is already public.
The SEG Solution: SEG provides comprehensive Cybersecurity Audits and behavioral pattern analysis. We help implement IAM (Identity and Access Management) and DLP (Data Loss Prevention) systems so you can see every move an attacker makes before data extraction begins.
🔗 Read more: Reuters – Nike Possible Breach

Point 3: Vulnerabilities in “Old Friends”

⚠️ Active Exploitation of WinRAR (CVE-2025-8088)

Threat Identification: Google Threat Intelligence confirms that hackers are actively exploiting a vulnerability in the popular WinRAR archiver to execute arbitrary code. A user simply needs to open a specially crafted archive.
Why It Matters: The issue isn’t a lack of a patch, but a delay in updates. Many companies ignore updates for secondary utilities, considering them non-critical. However, for a hacker, this is the easiest way to bypass complex security systems through a common user action.
The SEG Solution: We offer Vulnerability Management and patch management services. SEG helps build automated software update processes and implements policies to restrict the execution of files from unverified sources, minimizing the impact of the human factor.
🔗 Read more: CyberScoop – WinRAR Exploit

SEG Expert Opinion & Recommendations

“Cybersecurity in 2026 is not a promise of being ‘unhackable,’ but a matter of risk management. The Nike breach and attacks via Signal prove that the line between ‘trusted’ and ‘dangerous’ has vanished. If you don’t control the tools your employees use daily — from messengers to archivers — you are leaving the door wide open.” — Cybersecurity Lead at SEG.

Our Recommendations:

Re-evaluate the Perimeter: Train staff to treat attachments in messengers with the same scrutiny as email.
Analyze Data, Not Just Logins: Implement internal network activity monitoring to detect hidden leaks.
Update Hygiene: Conduct an inventory of third-party software (WinRAR, browsers, PDF readers) and ensure all critical patches are installed.

📢 Are you sure your messengers and utilities aren’t working against you? SEG provides Penetration Testing and security audit services to identify weak links before the enemy does.