Cybercrime Goes Beyond Money As AI Expands Threats

Cybercrime is increasingly aimed at disrupting business and gaining publicity—not just stealing money. The World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026, published in January with Accenture, says the shift in 2025 is visible in the structure and behavior of cybercriminal groups. More actors, especially younger ones, seek visibility and status by announcing attacks, leaking data, or posting screenshots. The report argues that this “culture of exposure” blurs lines between hacktivism, cybercrime, and influence operations, complicating attribution and response. It also notes cybercrime-as-a-service and generative AI are accelerating social engineering via realistic phishing, deepfakes, and localized impersonation tactics.