Technology
Conduent data breach hits millions across multiple states
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A ransomware attack on government technology giant Conduent is turning out to be far bigger than first reported. What initially sounded like a limited incident now appears to affect tens of millions of people across multiple states. In Texas alone, at least 15.4 million residents may have had their data exposed. Oregon has reported another 10.5 million affected individuals. And notifications have also gone out to hundreds of thousands of people in states like Delaware, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. If you rely on state healthcare programs or government services, your data could be part of this breach.
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What we know about the breach so far
149 MILLION PASSWORDS EXPOSED IN MASSIVE CREDENTIAL LEAK
What started as a “limited” ransomware incident now appears to impact tens of millions of people across multiple states. (Sebastian Kahnert/picture alliance via Getty Images)
The cyberattack happened in January 2025 and was later claimed by the Safeway ransomware gang, which says it stole more than 8 terabytes of data. Conduent first disclosed the incident publicly in April, months after hackers disrupted its systems and caused outages to government services across the country.
The company initially said about 4 million people in Texas were affected. That number has since jumped to 15.4 million, nearly half the state’s population. Oregon’s attorney general reported another 10.5 million impacted residents. Combined with other states issuing notifications, the total could reach into the dozens of millions.
The stolen data includes names, Social Security numbers, medical information, and health insurance details. That combination is particularly dangerous because it can be used for identity theft, medical fraud, and highly targeted scams.
Conduent processes data for large corporations, state agencies, and government healthcare programs. The company says its systems support services for more than 100 million people nationwide. However, it has not confirmed whether the breach affects that many individuals.
In a filing with the SEC, Conduent acknowledged that the stolen data included a “significant number” of individuals’ personal information tied to its clients’ end users, meaning people who rely on government agencies and corporate services powered by the company.
RANSOMWARE ATTACK EXPOSES SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS AT MAJOR GAS STATION CHAIN
Why this breach is especially concerning
Unlike a retail breach, where credit card data might be exposed, this incident involves deeply sensitive personal and medical information. Social Security numbers and health records are long-term identifiers. You cannot simply cancel or replace them like a debit card.
Healthcare-related data is especially valuable on the black market because it can be used to file fraudulent insurance claims, obtain prescription drugs, or open financial accounts. And because Conduent works behind the scenes for state agencies, many people may not even realize their data was stored by the company in the first place.
Conduent said it is still in the process of notifying affected individuals and expects to complete those notifications by early 2026. The company did not provide a clearer timeline or confirm how many total people will ultimately be alerted. Many people could be waiting months before knowing whether their information was compromised.
Conduent responds to January 2025 data breach
We reached out to Conduent for comment, and a company spokesperson provided CyberGuy with the following statement:
“As previously disclosed in its April 2025 Form 8-K filing with the SEC, in January 2025, Conduent discovered that it was the victim of a cybersecurity incident. With respect to that incident, Conduent has agreed to send notification letters, on behalf of its clients, to individuals whose personal information may have been affected by this incident. Working in conjunction with our clients, we expect to send out all of the consumer notifications by April 15. In addition, a dedicated call center has been set up to address consumer inquiries. At this time, Conduent has no evidence of any attempted or actual misuse of any information potentially affected by this incident.
“Upon discovery of the incident, Conduent acted quickly to secure its networks, restore its systems and operations, notify law enforcement, and conduct an investigation with the assistance of third-party forensics experts. In addition, given the nature and complexity of the data involved, Conduent worked diligently with a dedicated review team, including internal and external experts, and conducted a detailed analysis of the affected files to identify the personal information contained therein, which was a time-intensive process.
“Both Conduent and our third-party experts monitor the dark web regularly and have no evidence of any personal information being released on the dark web.
“Rest assured, we have followed all of the right protocols and have assured our clients that we have secured the necessary data. Conduent has been working with law enforcement and takes this matter seriously. We regret any inconvenience this incident may have caused.”
How can I check if my information was sold on the dark web?
To check if your information was sold on the dark web, you can go to haveibeenpwned.com and enter your email address into the search bar. The website will search to see what data of yours is out there and display if there were data breaches associated with your email address on various sites.
If you find your data is out on the web, remove it with a data removal service. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com
Hackers claim they stole more than 8 terabytes of data, including Social Security numbers and sensitive medical information. (Philip Dulian/picture alliance via Getty Images)
8 steps you can take to protect yourself after the Conduent breach
When a breach involves Social Security numbers and medical data, you need to think long term. Here’s what you should do.
1) Place a credit freeze
A credit freeze prevents lenders from opening new accounts in your name without your approval. It’s free and can be placed with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This is one of the strongest protections you can put in place after an SSN exposure. You can temporarily lift it if you need to apply for credit.
2) Monitor your credit reports regularly
You’re entitled to free credit reports from all three major bureaus. Look for unfamiliar accounts, credit inquiries, or address changes. Early detection makes it much easier to shut down fraud before it snowballs.
3) Use a password manager
If attackers obtained personal details like your name and email, they may try credential-stuffing attacks against your other accounts. A password manager creates strong, unique passwords for every account, so one breach does not unlock everything else. Many password managers also include breach alerts if your credentials show up in known leaks.
Also, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our #1 password manager (see Cyberguy.com) pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.
Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com
4) Secure your email account first
Your email account is the gateway to nearly everything. Protect it with a strong password and two-factor authentication. Review recovery settings and recent login activity to make sure nothing has been altered.
5) Enable two-factor authentication everywhere possible
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds another barrier, even if someone has your password. Use an authenticator app rather than SMS whenever possible for stronger protection.
6) Install strong antivirus software
Strong antivirus software can help block malicious links, phishing attempts, and ransomware. After a major breach, scammers often target victims with follow-up attacks pretending to offer help or compensation. Security software adds another layer of protection.
Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
7) Consider identity theft protection
Identity theft services monitor your Social Security number, financial accounts, and even dark web marketplaces. If your information is misused, they can alert you quickly and help you recover faster. When SSNs are exposed, ongoing monitoring becomes especially important.
See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com
8) Reduce your digital footprint with a data removal service
Scammers often combine breach data with personal details found on data broker sites. A data removal service works to remove your phone number, address, and other exposed information from hundreds of databases. While no service can erase everything, reducing what’s publicly available makes targeted fraud much harder.
Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com
Because Conduent powers government and healthcare services behind the scenes, many affected people may not even realize their data was stored there. (Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images)
Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com
Kurt’s key takeaway
The Conduent breach highlights a growing risk that many people never see coming. When large government contractors are hit, millions can be affected at once. And because these companies operate behind the scenes, you may not even realize they hold your data. If your information was exposed, taking action now can prevent long-term damage. The sooner you lock things down, the harder it becomes for criminals to profit from your data.
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Do you think companies that process government data are doing enough to protect it? Let us know your thoughts by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
We get a lot of questions about how The Verge works. And how The Vergecast works. And how we make money. And whether some of that money helps Nilay buy more jackets, several yachts, or something else entirely. So, every once in a while, we spend an episode of the podcast answering as many questions as we can.
On this episode of The Vergecast, Nilay and David are joined by The Verge’s publisher, Helen Havlak, to talk about ads, subscriptions, our website, our audience, and more. Then, Nilay and David answer some more questions about how we think about journalism, our relationship with Verge alumni, video podcasts, and (of course) Brendan Carr.
Thanks to everyone who sent us questions for this episode, and please keep them coming! You can always call the Vergecast Hotline (866-VERGE11) or send us an email (vergecast@theverge.com) with your questions, thoughts, feelings, and misgivings about everything we’re up to. We truly love hearing from you. And if you want to be part of everything we’re up to, and help make The Verge even bigger and better, the best thing you can do is subscribe! You even get all our podcasts ad-free.
Oh, and also, in case you missed it yesterday, be sure and check out our emergency pod on the news that Tim Cook is stepping down as Apple CEO. We’ll be talking more about the future of Apple on Friday’s show, too, so send questions if you have ’em!
Food delivery drones launch in NJ
FOX Business correspondent Madison Alworth reports on drone food delivery services launching in New Jersey on ‘America Reports.’
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You’re hungry, and your stomach’s already growling. Normally, you’d grab your phone, open your favorite delivery app and start scrolling through endless restaurant lists. Tap a few menus, pick a few items and before you know it, you’ve built your order piece by piece.
But with Amazon Alexa+, you can skip all that tapping and scrolling. Just tell Alexa what you’re in the mood for, change your mind halfway or add something extra as you go, like you’re chatting with someone taking your order.
That’s the new idea behind Alexa+. Amazon has rolled out a voice-powered food ordering feature that lets you get delivery from Uber Eats and Grubhub without ever opening an app. Just say what you want, and Alexa handles the rest.
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ALEXA.COM BRINGS ALEXA+ TO YOUR BROWSER
Amazon Alexa+ now lets users order food from Uber Eats and Grubhub by voice, turning delivery into a back-and-forth conversation instead of a series of taps. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
What you need to use Alexa+
Now, before you start ordering with your voice, there are a few quick setup steps.
- You need an Alexa+ compatible device, like an Echo Show
- You must link your Uber Eats or Grubhub account in the Alexa app
- Your past orders can sync automatically for quick reordering
Once that’s done, it becomes a hands-free experience.
How to set up Alexa+ for food ordering (step by step)
We set this up using the Amazon Alexa app on a phone, and these are the exact steps we followed. The menus may look slightly different depending on your device.
- Open the Alexa app on your phone
- Tap “More” (it usually has three horizontal lines)
- Tap “Alexa+ Store”
- Use the search bar and type in Uber or Grubhub.
- Tap the service you want
- When it appears, tap to open it.
- Tap “Connect” or “Enable” (You may see a page from “pitangui.amazon.com” during setup. That’s part of Amazon’s system and is safe if you open it from the Alexa app. )
- Next, sign in to your account on your phone
- Tap “Grant access”
- Tap “Continue”
- Tap “Close” to return to the app
After we linked our Grubhub account, we got a confirmation email saying everything was successfully connected. Once that’s all done, it becomes a hands-free experience.
To actually place an order, go to your Echo device and say, “Alexa, I want to order food,” then follow the prompts on the screen. Note: the feature is still rolling out and works best on newer Echo Show devices.
You can also manage or remove the connection anytime in the Alexa app by going to: Alexa App > Menu > Settings > Manage Alexa+ Services Unlink & Revoke Permissions
How Alexa+ actually builds your order
After you’re set up, this is where things start to change. For years, voice assistants followed a simple pattern. You ask something. It answers. That’s it.
With Amazon Alexa+, that model shifts. Instead of giving one command at a time, you can carry on a back-and-forth conversation.
You might start with:
- “Show me Mexican food”
- “Actually, let’s do pizza”
- “Add a large pepperoni with extra cheese”
- “Wait, make that two”
The system updates your order in real time. If you change your mind, it adjusts instantly on screen. Even better, it only jumps in when you need help. That means fewer interruptions and a smoother flow.
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With Alexa+, Amazon is pushing voice ordering beyond basic commands, letting users browse restaurants, customize meals and check delivery status through natural conversation. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
How Alexa+ lets you customize your order
This is where things start to feel different from anything we’ve seen before.
You can explore like you’re talking to a person
You don’t need exact menu names. Say something like “meat lovers pizza,” and Alexa+ finds the closest match. Want dessert? Just ask. Curious what’s popular? Ask that too.
You can change your mind mid-order
Most apps make you backtrack. Alexa+ lets you pivot on the fly. Add items. Remove them. Adjust quantities. Switch restaurants entirely. Everything updates live on your screen.
You see the full breakdown before you pay
Before checkout, you’ll get a clear summary:
- Item names
- Quantities
- Individual prices
- Total cost
That transparency matters, especially when small add-ons can quickly add up.
You can track your delivery with your voice
Once your order is placed, you can simply ask:
“Alexa, where’s my food?”
No need to dig through notifications or open another app.
Why Amazon is pushing Alexa+ now
This isn’t just about food delivery. Amazon is testing a bigger idea. It wants Alexa+ to adapt based on what you’re trying to do. Ordering food needs flexibility. Checking the weather doesn’t. So instead of one rigid interaction style, Alexa+ shifts its behavior depending on the task. Food ordering is just the beginning. Amazon is already hinting at future uses like grocery shopping and travel planning.
GRUBHUB LAUNCHES FIRST-EVER COMMERCIAL DRONE FOOD DELIVERY SERVICE IN NEW JERSEY
Amazon’s new Alexa+ food-ordering feature connects with Uber Eats and Grubhub, allowing users to build, change and track delivery orders without opening an app.
What this means to you
This feature sounds convenient, and in many ways it is. Still, there are a few things worth thinking about before you start ordering dinner out loud. First, it makes ordering easier. That’s great for speed, but it can also make spending feel effortless. When ordering becomes a conversation, it’s easy to keep adding items without paying attention to the total. Second, your data matters. Linking accounts means Amazon can connect your voice activity with your food habits. That includes what you order, when you order and how often. Third, it changes how you interact with technology. Instead of tapping and scrolling, you’re relying on AI to interpret what you mean. That saves time, but it also means trusting the system to get things right. Finally, it may reshape your habits. If this becomes second nature, opening apps could start to feel old-fashioned before long.
Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?
Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Ordering food has always been simple. Now it’s becoming conversational. That shift might sound small, but it signals something bigger. Technology is moving away from commands and toward natural interaction. The goal is to make devices feel less like tools and more like assistants. The real question is how far that goes. If your device can handle dinner tonight, what else will it manage tomorrow?
And here’s something to think about: At what point does convenience start making decisions for you instead of helping you make them? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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- For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Though Tim Cook is shedding his CEO title for the role of Apple’s executive chairman, it appears he’ll keep one of his most important duties: that of the company’s Trump whisperer.
“As executive chairman, Cook will assist with certain aspects of the company, including engaging with policymakers around the world,” Apple writes in a press release. Translation: he’s sticking around to deal with thorny political relationships — in particular the one with President Donald Trump.
Throughout his tenure, Cook has navigated Apple through tricky political terrain. He’s had to balance the company’s massive business interest in China with US policymakers’ concerns, and he’s worked to appease Trump for favorable regulatory decisions, without alienating too many Apple employees and customers in the process.
Cook has navigated Apple through tricky political terrain
The task of wooing Trump has repeatedly placed Cook in embarrassing situations: Cook showed the president around a factory in Texas in 2019, where Trump wrongly boasted that because of his policies, Apple was building a new manufacturing plant in the US. Last year, he presented Trump with a symbolic gift of “Made in the USA” glass from Apple supplier Corning set in 24-karat gold.
Recently, Cook took criticism from Trump critics for attending a movie night at the White House, for a screening of the documentary Melania, the same day that Alex Pretti was killed by federal agents on the streets of Minneapolis during a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Cook later vaguely referred to the “events in Minneapolis,” and referenced a “good conversation with the president.”
As Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering John Ternus takes over as CEO, the company will need to overcome significant policy challenges, including global efforts to regulate AI, and a push for app stores to verify user ages. Lucky for Ternus, Cook will still be there to take on that job.
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