Love Is in the Air — and So Are Scammers: Valentine’s Day 2026 Threats to Watch For

As Valentine’s Day 2026 approaches, people are turning to online shopping, digital dating, and last‑minute gift ideas. Unfortunately, cyber criminals are doing the same. Check Point researchers have identified a sharp rise in Valentine‑themed phishing websites, fraudulent stores, and fake dating platforms designed to steal personal data and payment information. A Seasonal Spike in Valentine-Themed Domains From March to December 2025, new Valentine-related domains averaged 474 per month. But in January 2026, registrations jumped to 696 — a 44% increase. In just the first five days of February, researchers detected 152 additional domains, a further 36% rise in daily average […]

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WAF Security Test Results 2026: Why Prevention-First Matters More Than Ever

Introduction: Security Testing Must Evolve with Attacks As cyber threats rise, web applications, GenAI workloads, and APIs have become prime targets. WAFs remain a critical first line of defense, but as attackers move beyond basic OWASP Top 10 techniques, WAF testing must evolve. Modern attacks increasingly rely on evasion methods, payload padding, and zero-day techniques designed to bypass signature-based WAFs. The WAF Comparison Project 2026 presents the results of our third annual, real-world evaluation of WAF efficacy (see the last year result here), using over 1 million legitimate requests and 74,000 malicious payloads to assess 14 leading WAF vendors, including […]

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Global Cyber Attacks Rise in January 2026 Amid Increasing Ransomware Activity and Expanding GenAI Risks

Global Attack Volumes Climb Worldwide In January 2026, the global volume of cyber attacks continued its steady escalation. Organizations worldwide experienced an average of 2,090 cyber‑attacks per organization per week, marking a 3% increase from December and a 17% rise compared to January 2025. This growth reflects a landscape increasingly shaped by the expansion of ransomware activity and mounting data‑exposure risks driven by widespread GenAI adoption. Check Point Research data shows that January’s upward trajectory underscores a persistent and evolving cyber threat environment — one defined by fast‑moving ransomware operations and intensifying GenAI‑related risks. Critical Sectors Face Intensified Pressure The […]

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From Solo to Squad: The Evolution of Cyber Security Training in the AI Era

Generative AI is transforming cyber defense. Technical expertise remains critical, but AI-driven threats demand more than individual skill – they require the collective intelligence of the organization’s SOC. To understand how businesses are adapting, Infinity Global Services analyzed training consumption trends from 2023 to 2025. The findings reveal a decisive shift from individual courses to team-based subscriptions, signaling a new approach to workforce development in the age of AI. The Data: A Shift in Mindset Infinity Global Services’ training data shows a clear change in procurement strategies. Individual course purchases have declined by 33%, while team-based subscription models have surged, […]

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SaaS Abuse at Scale: Phone-Based Scam Campaign Leveraging Trusted Platforms

Overview This report documents a large-scale phishing campaign in which attackers abused legitimate software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms to deliver phone-based scam lures that appeared authentic and trustworthy. Rather than spoofing domains or compromising services, the attackers deliberately misused native platform functionality to generate and distribute emails that closely resembled routine service notifications, inheriting the trust, reputation, and authentication posture of well-known SaaS providers. The campaign generated approximately 133,260 phishing emails, impacting 20,049 organizations. It is part of a broader and rapidly escalating trend in which attackers weaponize trusted brands and native cloud workflows to maximize delivery, credibility, and reach. Observed brands […]

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Amaranth-Dragon: Targeted Cyber Espionage Campaigns Across Southeast Asia

Executive Summary Check Point Research uncovered highly targeted cyber espionage campaigns aimed at government and law enforcement agencies across the ASEAN region throughout 2025. The activity is attributed to Amaranth-Dragon, a previously untracked threat actor assessed to be closely linked to the China-affiliated APT 41 ecosystem. The group weaponized newly disclosed vulnerabilities within days, including a critical WinRAR flaw, and paired them with lures tied to real-world political and security events. These operations demonstrate state-level discipline and precision, using country-restricted infrastructure, trusted cloud services, and stealthy tooling to quietly collect intelligence. A New Cyber Espionage Campaign Unfolds in Southeast Asia […]

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Celebrating the 2025 Check Point Software EMEA Partner Award Winners — Recognizing Excellence Across the Region

Check Point® Software Technologies today announced the 2025 Check Point Software Technologies EMEA Partner Award Winners, recognizing outstanding partners across the region who continue to deliver AI‑powered, prevention‑first cyber security outcomes for customers. The winners were honoured during the Check Point Software Technologies EMEA Sales Kickoff event in Vienna, attended by more than 1,000 employees and partners. As the cyber threat landscape across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa continues to accelerate in sophistication — driven by AI‑enhanced attacks, hybrid‑cloud complexity, and increasing regulatory pressure — these top‑performing partners delivered exceptional value, helping organizations strengthen resilience through AI‑powered, prevention‑first security. […]

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