Cyberattacks in Spain: What small businesses should know

In 2025 alone, Spain recorded 122,223 cybersecurity incidents, a 26% increase compared to 2024, according to National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE).

If you run a small business in Spain, this isn’t just another statistic, it’s a sign of how quickly everyday business activities are becoming targets. From emails and invoices to online payments, the same tactics behind these attacks are already part of your daily workflow.

Key takeaways:

Spain recorded 122,223 cyber incidents in 2025, up 26% from 2024
4 in 10 incidents are online fraud, with phishing leading the way
Small businesses are common targets due to fast, email-driven work
Many businesses still react after an incident, rather than prevent it
Simple habits and basic protection can significantly reduce risk

Source: National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE)

Cybersecurity threats in Spain: Key statistics and trends for 2025

The data comes from Spain’s national cybersecurity authority and reflects what’s happening across individuals, businesses, and essential services.

Here’s what stands out:

4 in 10 incidents are linked to online fraud (45,445 cases)
Phishing is the most common attack, with 25,133 incidents, often through emails that impersonate banks or trusted companies
Malware remains widespread, with 55,411 cases
Ransomware is still present, with 392 confirmed cases
3,849 incidents involved data theft

At the same time, authorities identified 237,028 vulnerable systems that attackers could potentially exploit. This last number shows that many cyber incidents don’t start with sophisticated attacks—but with existing weaknesses that haven’t been fixed yet.

Another detail worth noting: online fraud increased by 19% compared to the previous year, and thousands of fraudulent .es domains were taken down—many of them fake websites designed to trick users into sharing data or making payments.

Why small businesses in Spain are at higher risk of cyberattacks

Work moves fast, email sits at the center of daily operations, and there isn’t always time—or support—to double-check every request. Attackers know this and build their tactics around it.

A large share of incidents are linked to online fraud, with phishing leading the way. Around 28% of users report receiving phishing, vishing, or smishing attempts, and for businesses, phishing, CEO fraud, and identity impersonation remain some of the most common threats.

At the same time, Spain’s cybersecurity helpline handled 142,767 consultations in 2025, a 45% increase from the previous year. What stands out is how people reach out for help 49% ask for advice before something happens and 51% seek help after an incident has already occurred.

The most common reasons people contacted the helpline also reflect the everyday nature of these risks: phishing, vishing, or smishing attempts, online shopping fraud and digital identity impersonation.

How small businesses can protect themselves from cyberattacks

If you take one thing from all this, let it be this: cybersecurity isn’t a “big company problem” anymore. It’s part of running a business, especially as attacks become more frequent, more convincing, and easier to fall for in a busy day.

The good news is that you don’t need a complex setup to be safer.

Pause before acting on urgent emails or unexpected requests.
Double-check payment details, especially when something changes.
Use strong, unique passwords, ideally stored in a password manager.
Keep your devices and software updated.

If your business relies on email, payments, or client data, it helps to have a layer of protection working quietly in the background. Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security can detect phishing attempts, block malicious links, and flag suspicious activity before it turns into a real problem, so you don’t have to catch everything on your own.

Try Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security for free for 30 days.

FAQs

Why are cyberattacks increasing in Spain?

Cyberattacks are rising due to more digital activity, more connected devices, and increasingly convincing scams. Fraud, especially phishing, has become easier to scale and target both individuals and businesses.

What is the most common cyber threat in Spain right now?

Online fraud is the most common, with phishing leading the way. These attacks often involve fake emails or messages designed to steal login details or payment information.

How do most cyberattacks start?

Most incidents begin with simple actions, such as clicking a malicious link, replying to a fake email, or trusting a message that appears legitimate.

What can small businesses do to stay safe?

Start with the basics: verify requests, use strong passwords, keep systems updated, and learn to recognize phishing attempts. Adding security tools that detect threats early can also reduce risk.