Connect with us

Technology

1 billion identity records exposed in ID verification data leak

Published

on

1 billion identity records exposed in ID verification data leak

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Things like your name, home address, date of birth and even your Social Security number may have been sitting on the open internet. Researchers say an unprotected database tied to IDMerit, a company that claims to help businesses verify identities, exposed roughly 1 billion sensitive records across 26 countries.

In the United States alone, more than 203 million records were left unsecured. This involves the exact documents and details companies use to confirm you are really you. If criminals get that kind of information, they’d have everything they need.

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.

BE AWARE OF EXTORTION SCAM EMAILS CLAIMING YOUR DATA IS STOLEN

Advertisement

Researchers say an exposed database tied to IDMerit left roughly 1 billion sensitive identity records visible on the open internet. (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

What you need to know about the massive data leak

Researchers at Cybernews, a cybersecurity news and research publication, discovered an exposed MongoDB database on Nov. 11, 2025, that they believe belongs to IDMerit, a global identity verification provider that serves banks, fintech firms and other financial services companies. IDMerit uses artificial intelligence tools to help businesses perform KYC, short for Know Your Customer, which is the identity verification process required when you open financial accounts.

The database was not protected by a password. Anyone who knew where to look could access it. Inside were full names, home addresses, postal codes, dates of birth, national ID numbers, phone numbers, email addresses and gender information. Some records also included telecom-related metadata and internal flags that may have referenced past breaches.

The exposure affected people in 26 countries. The United States had the highest number of exposed records at more than 203 million. Mexico, the Philippines, Germany, Italy and France were also heavily impacted.

Researchers notified the company, and the database was secured the following day. There is currently no public evidence that criminals downloaded the data. Still, it’s worth noting that automated bots constantly scan the internet for exposed databases and can copy them within minutes.

Advertisement

YOU COULD BE SHARING YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER WHEN YOU DON’T NEED TO

The unsecured database reportedly contained highly sensitive details including names, home addresses, dates of birth and national ID numbers. (Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images)

How it happened and why it matters for you

When you open a bank account, sign up for a crypto platform or verify your identity for a financial app, you are often asked to upload a government ID and provide personal details. Companies like IDMerit process that information behind the scenes. That means this database likely contained the same details you would use to prove your identity to a bank or government agency.

For criminals, that is gold. With your full name, date of birth, national ID and phone number, scammers can attempt SIM-swap attacks. This is when someone convinces your mobile carrier to transfer your phone number to their device. Once they control your number, they can intercept security codes sent by text message and break into your bank or email accounts. They can also launch highly targeted phishing scams. Imagine receiving a call or email that includes your real home address and ID number. It would feel legitimate, and that’s exactly the point.

Because the data was neatly organized, criminals could sort it by country or other details and use automated tools to target huge numbers of people with scams.

Advertisement

We reached out to IDMerit for comment, but did not hear back before our deadline.

FIGURE DATA BREACH EXPOSES NEARLY 1M ACCOUNTS

Experts warn that data like this can help criminals launch SIM swap attacks and highly targeted phishing scams. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

8 ways you can protect yourself from data leaks

Before criminals have a chance to use this information against you, here are practical steps you can take right now to lock things down and reduce your risk.

1) Freeze your credit reports

Contact the major credit bureaus in your country and place a credit freeze. This prevents criminals from opening loans or credit cards in your name. Even if someone has your national ID and date of birth, lenders will not be able to access your credit file without your permission.

Advertisement

2) Stop relying on text message security codes

If your bank or email account still uses SMS codes for two-factor authentication, switch to an authenticator app instead. Text messages can be intercepted during SIM-swap attacks. An authenticator app generates codes directly on your device, making it much harder for criminals to break in.

3) Use a password manager

If attackers pair leaked identity data with passwords from older breaches, they can try to access your accounts. A password manager creates strong, unique passwords for every account, so one leak does not unlock everything else.

Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.

4) Consider identity theft protection

Identity theft monitoring services can alert you if your personal information is used to open accounts or appears on dark web marketplaces. Early detection can mean the difference between stopping fraud quickly and discovering it months later. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com

5) Watch your mobile account closely

Log in to your mobile carrier account and enable extra security features, such as a port-out PIN if available. This adds an additional layer of protection so someone cannot easily move your phone number to another SIM card.

Advertisement

6) Run antivirus software on your devices

Good antivirus software can block malicious links, fake login pages and spyware that may be used in follow-up attacks. After a large data exposure, phishing campaigns often spike, and having protection in place can stop you from clicking into trouble. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

7) Consider a personal data removal service

Your personal information is often scattered across data broker sites and people-search databases that sell access to your details. A personal data removal service can monitor where your information appears online and work to get it taken down. This reduces the amount of data criminals can find about you in one place, making it harder for them to piece together your identity and target you with scams or fraud. 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.

8) Be skeptical of calls that know too much

If someone contacts you and references your address, date of birth or ID number, do not assume they are legitimate. Hang up and call the official number listed on the company’s website. Criminals use real data to make fake stories sound convincing.

Kurt’s key takeaway

This incident exposes a larger problem. Companies that handle identity verification have become critical infrastructure for the digital economy. When one of them leaves a database open, the fallout spreads across countries and millions of ordinary people who never even heard of the company. You trusted a bank or app with your ID. That bank trusted a third party. Somewhere in that chain, basic security controls failed.

Should companies that handle identity verification face automatic penalties when they expose millions of people’s most sensitive data? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

Advertisement

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter. 

Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Technology

Backrooms is a certified blockbuster with a $38 million opening day

Published

on

Backrooms is a certified blockbuster with a  million opening day

The Kane Parsons’ film Backrooms is expected to earn up to $90 million in its opening weekend after pulling down $38 million on Friday alone. That’s not only above expectations, but absolutely obliterates A24’s previous opening weekend record of $25.5 million for Alex Garland’s Civil War. It’s also a better opening day than The Mandalorian and Grogu, which only pulled down $33.7 million on its way to a total $81.6 million for the weekend.

That also means that Backrooms is an incredibly profitable movie, with an estimated $10 million budget. By comparison, the latest Star Wars disappointment cost $165 million and was considered affordable compared to other entries in the series.

While Backrooms hasn’t received quite as much universal praise as fellow low-budget horror breakout Obsession, it’s still largely getting positive reviews. It also adds to the growing number of YouTube creators (including Obsession’s Curry Barker) who have proven to be successful box office draws.

Continue Reading

Technology

Cab-less electric trucks hit Ohio roads

Published

on

Cab-less electric trucks hit Ohio roads

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A freight truck with no driver, no cab and no one sitting behind the wheel is starting to sound more familiar. In fact, this summer, that is exactly what is happening on local roads in Marysville, Ohio.

EASE Logistics, an Ohio-based logistics company, is partnering with autonomous truck technology company Einride to deploy two cab-less electric trucks between EASE warehouse locations. The two companies recently announced the proof-of-concept service.

The trucks will operate on EASE property and local public roads. They will move goods between warehouse locations while the companies collect data on warehousing, distribution and transportation operations.

The project is part of the Ohio Department of Transportation’s DriveOhio Truck Automation Corridor Project, in partnership with the Indiana Department of Transportation. The goal is to study how autonomous trucking affects operations, safety and freight efficiency.

Advertisement

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report

  • Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
  • For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.

Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.

AI TRUCK SYSTEM MATCHES TOP HUMAN DRIVERS IN MASSIVE SAFETY SHOWDOWN WITH PERFECT SCORES

Autonomous cab-less electric trucks are beginning real-world freight testing this summer on local roads in Marysville, Ohio, as EASE Logistics and Einride launch a new pilot program. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What are cab-less electric trucks?

These are not regular trucks with a driver waiting to take over. Einride’s vehicles are electric, autonomous and cab-less. That means there is no traditional driver’s seat, steering wheel area or cab built for a human operator.

The trucks use SAE Level 4 autonomous technology. In other words, the vehicle can drive itself under specific approved conditions without a human driver inside.

Advertisement

However, the trucks will still have human oversight. A remote operator will monitor them from off-site and can intervene when needed. The companies say that setup helps keep operations running safely and smoothly during the test.

Where will the autonomous trucks operate?

The trucks will move freight between EASE Logistics warehouses in Marysville, Ohio. They will operate during the summer of 2026 on private property and local public roads.

That detail makes a difference because many autonomous vehicle tests happen in controlled settings. This project moves closer to normal freight work. These trucks will operate inside daily logistics

EASE says the deployment will generate data on how autonomous trucks affect warehouse movement, distribution timing and transportation operations. The companies want to see how this technology performs in the real world, where freight schedules and traffic conditions rarely behave perfectly.

THE ROAD TO PROSPERITY WILL BE PAVED BY AUTONOMOUS TRUCKING

Advertisement

EASE Logistics and Einride will operate driverless electric freight trucks between Ohio warehouse locations while collecting data on safety, efficiency and logistics operations. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why Ohio is testing cab-less electric trucks

Ohio has become an active testing ground for truck automation. This deployment extends the Ohio Department of Transportation and DriveOhio’s Truck Automation Corridor Project, in partnership with the Indiana Department of Transportation. The project is designed to evaluate how autonomous technology affects operations, safety and freight efficiency.

EASE President and CEO Peter Coratola, Jr., said, “EASE is proud to continue advancing the Truck Automation Corridor Project alongside DriveOhio and innovative partners like Einride.” He added, “Deployments like this help move autonomous trucking from controlled pilots into daily freight operations, where safety, reliability, and efficiency can be evaluated at scale.”

This also marks EASE Logistics’ third autonomous trucking deployment with DriveOhio. That puts the company among a small group of logistics providers testing multiple autonomous freight platforms in live operations.

How safe are cab-less electric trucks?

When people hear “driverless truck,” their first thought may not be efficiency. It may be, “What happens if something goes wrong?”

Advertisement

That reaction is fair. These vehicles are large, heavy and operate near the public. So safety will shape how people judge this project.

Einride CEO Roozbeh Charli said, “Deploying these autonomous trucks in daily logistics operations with EASE reflects years of rigorous development and real-world validation.” He added, “Safety is not a feature we add to our technology; it is the foundation everything is built on.”

The companies also say a remote operator monitors the trucks off-site and can intervene if needed. That detail helps, but the public will still want clear answers about routes, oversight, emergency response and how remote operators step in. Those answers will become more important as autonomous trucks leave closed test areas and enter everyday traffic.

Why companies want driverless freight

For logistics companies, the appeal is easy to understand. Electric autonomous trucks could help move freight with fewer emissions, more predictable scheduling and tighter warehouse coordination.

Short warehouse-to-warehouse routes also make sense for early autonomous deployments. The route is limited. The operation is easier to study. The company can collect useful data without starting with long-haul trucking across several states.

Advertisement

Still, the rollout will need to prove itself. Trucks must handle traffic, road conditions, pedestrians and unexpected behavior from human drivers. Those moments will test whether autonomous freight can deliver on its promise.

The future of autonomous trucking

Autonomous trucking has moved from bold promise to real-world testing. Yet the industry still has to earn public confidence.

This Ohio deployment gives EASE, Einride and transportation officials a chance to gather useful data. It also gives the public a closer look at what driverless freight looks like.

The cab-less design may be the most striking part. Removing the cab signals a bigger shift. These trucks are built around the idea that the vehicle, software and remote operations team can handle the job.

That marks a major change in how freight has worked for generations.

Advertisement

 TESLA BUILDS A CAR WITH NO STEERING WHEEL. NOW WHAT?

Ohio officials are expanding autonomous freight testing with cab-less electric trucks operating on public roads under remote human supervision this summer. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What this means to you

You may not live near Marysville, Ohio. Still, this test matters because it shows where freight transportation is heading.

If the project works well, more companies could look at autonomous trucks for warehouse-to-warehouse routes. That could change how goods move before they ever reach store shelves or your front door.

It could also raise new questions for workers. Logistics companies may need more people who can monitor, maintain and manage autonomous systems. At the same time, drivers and warehouse workers will want honest answers about how these trucks could affect jobs over time.

Advertisement

For consumers, the biggest issue may be trust. People will want proof that these vehicles can operate safely around regular traffic. They will also want transparency when something goes wrong.

Join CyberGuy Live: Lock Down Your Phone in 30 Minutes (Saturday, June 13, 10 am ET)

Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data. In this free, live online class, Kurt the CyberGuy will walk you step by step through simple phone security fixes you can do in real time. You’ll learn how to improve your privacy settings, spot the latest phone scams, use trusted security tools and walk away with a simple checklist to stay protected. Register here: CyberGuyLive.com

 CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Kurt’s key takeaways

Cab-less electric trucks on Ohio roads may sound alarming at first. But this project shows how quickly autonomous freight is moving into real logistics work. The EASE and Einride deployment still has plenty to prove. Safety, public trust, worker impact and day-to-day reliability will all matter. However, this summer’s test could give the trucking industry a clearer look at what comes next. Driverless freight may start with short warehouse routes. Over time, it could reshape how goods move across the country.

Would you feel comfortable sharing the road with a cab-less electric truck if no driver was inside, but a remote operator was watching from miles away?  Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

Advertisement

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report

  • Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
  • For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
  • Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.

Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.

Continue Reading

Technology

Nvidia, Microsoft, and Arm are all teasing Nvidia’s new N1X laptop processors

Published

on

Nvidia, Microsoft, and Arm are all teasing Nvidia’s new N1X laptop processors

It’s the world’s worst kept secret that Nvidia is about to announce its own Arm-powered laptop chips at Computex this weekend, and now Microsoft, Nvidia, and Arm are all openly teasing the announcement. The Windows and Nvidia GeForce accounts on X both posted “A new era of PC” earlier today, and now Arm has followed up with an identical post.

All three posts include coordinates pointing to where Computex is hosted in Taipei. Nvidia is holding a Computex keynote in Taipei at 8PM PT / 11PM ET on Sunday night, where it’s rumored to be announcing its new N1 and N1x laptop chips.

These Arm-powered Nvidia processors have been long-rumored, with reports earlier this year suggesting that both Lenovo and Dell have been preparing new laptops with the N1X chips. We first heard rumors about Nvidia’s laptop processors in 2023, and Dell CEO Michael Dell hinted at the possibility of an AI PC with Nvidia during an interview in 2024.

Nvidia’s entry into Windows on Arm will mean Qualcomm will no longer have an exclusive license for Microsoft’s Windows 11 Arm variant of its operating system. That’s good news for laptop competition, even if Qualcomm is trying to keep entry-level laptops affordable with its new Snapdragon C platform.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending