Most cyberattacks used to focus on breaking into companies directly. Today, attackers are going after something different, the software and updates businesses already trust.
A software supply chain attack happens when criminals compromise a legitimate vendor or update system. Instead of hacking each company one by one, they inject malicious code into software updates or third-party tools. When customers download those updates, the attacker gets access without needing phishing emails or stolen passwords.
One recent example shows how serious this risk has become. In 2025, reports surfaced that the update infrastructure for Notepad++ had been compromised. Attackers allegedly gained control of update hosting systems and redirected some users to malicious servers. The attack worked because checking for updates is normal behavior, and most security tools allow trusted software to run without question.
These attacks are difficult to spot. Updates look legitimate. Network traffic appears normal. Even well-secured environments can be exposed because the threat comes from something already trusted.
What This Means for Businesses
The biggest shift in cybersecurity today is this, trust itself has become an attack surface. Instead of targeting individual users, attackers focus on vendors and platforms that thousands of organizations rely on.
That is why modern security needs to go beyond antivirus or firewalls. Companies should:
- Maintain a clear inventory of all software and vendors
- Validate code signatures and update sources
- Restrict outbound traffic to known, approved destinations
- Monitor for unusual update behavior or unexpected changes
How Fizen Technology Helps
At Fizen Technology, we help organizations reduce supply chain risk by adding visibility and control where most teams do not have time or resources to look. Our cybersecurity and compliance services focus on:
- Continuous monitoring of endpoints and update activity
- Vendor and third-party risk oversight aligned with SOC 2 and compliance frameworks
- Secure configuration and application allow-listing
- Proactive threat detection so trusted tools do not become hidden attack paths
We do not just deploy tools. We help businesses understand where their real exposure is and build layered defenses that support growth without slowing operations.
Final Thought
Software updates used to feel like routine maintenance. Today, they are one of the most targeted entry points for advanced attackers. Organizations that treat every update as automatically safe are taking a growing risk.
If you want to strengthen your environment and gain better visibility into your technology stack, the team at Fizen Technology can help you build a practical, modern security strategy.
