At CES 2025, Intel let journalists into its private “Innovation Showcase,” where we saw things like prototype next-gen laptops and giant stereo 3D handheld gaming PCs.
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4.3 million Americans exposed in massive health savings account data breach
Health savings account (HSA) provider HealthEquity experienced a massive data breach that has put over 4.3 million Americans’ information at risk.
The company, which specializes in providing HSAs, flexible spending accounts (FSAs), health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) and 401(k) retirement plans, confirmed threat actors stole sensitive health data using a partner’s compromised credentials.
This includes full names, home addresses, telephone numbers, employer and employee IDs, Social Security numbers and more.
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Illustration of a hacker at work. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What you need to know about the HealthEquity data breach
HealthEquity has confirmed that it suffered a data breach in which the personal information of millions of Americans was compromised. In a Form 8-K filing submitted on July 2, the company disclosed that hackers gained access to this sensitive health data after using a partner’s compromised credentials.
HealthEquity became aware of the systems anomaly on March 25, and the investigation continued until June 10. The company’s data breach notice reads in part:
“We discovered some unauthorized access to and potential disclosure of protected health information and/or personally identifiable information stored in an unstructured data repository outside our core systems. On June 26, 2024, after validating the data, we unfortunately determined that some of your personal information was involved.”
As for notifications, the company tells us that the process for notifying customers — both businesses and individuals — is ongoing. Affected individuals will receive a notification by mail or email based on their account communications preferences.
The company says that the affected data was sign-up information for accounts and benefits that it administers. The data may include information in one or more of the following categories: first name, last name, address, telephone number, employee ID, employer, Social Security number, health card number, health plan member number, dependent information (for general contact information only), HealthEquity benefit type, diagnoses, prescription details, payment card information (but not payment card number) and/or HealthEquity account type. Not all data categories were affected for every member.
HealthEquity says it is not aware of any actual or attempted misuse of the information due to this incident to date. We reached out to HealthEquity, and a representative from the company provided CyberGuy with this statement:
“The entire Purple Team is committed to educating, assisting and supporting our partners, clients and members through this incident. We have taken immediate, proactive and prudent action since we first discovered an anomaly with our third-party vendor. This included quickly resolving the issue, bringing together a team of outside and internal experts to investigate, and preparing for response.
“Additionally, we formally filed notification with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which wasn’t required, but represents our concern and commitment to transparent communication. We regret the inconvenience caused by the incident and are working to minimize disruption while also taking steps to help prevent this from happening in the future. Partner and client notifications are underway, and we are thankful for the professionalism and understanding we’re experiencing thus far.”
HOW TO REMOVE YOUR PRIVATE DATA FROM THE INTERNET
Illustration of hackers at work. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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What is HealthEquity doing about the data breach?
HealthEquity says it has secured the affected data repository. The vendor’s user accounts, which had access to an online data storage location, were compromised, allowing hackers to access data stored in that location. HealthEquity has disabled all potentially compromised vendor accounts, terminated all active sessions and blocked all IP addresses linked to the threat actor’s activity. The company has also implemented a global password reset for the impacted vendor.
The HSA provider has also arranged credit identity monitoring, insurance and restoration services for those impacted. These services will be available for two years, free of charge, through Equifax.
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Illustration of a hacker. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
WORLD’S LARGEST STOLEN PASSWORD DATABASE UPLOADED TO CRIMINAL FORUM
8 measures to take to protect yourself from a data breach
If you suspect you’ve been impacted by this data breach, follow these steps to protect your personal data and privacy.
1. Invest in identity theft protection: If you have been affected by a data breach, scammers may try to impersonate you to gain access to your private information. The best thing you can do to protect yourself from this type of fraud is to subscribe to an identity theft service.
Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number (SSN), phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.
2. Invest in removal services: Investing in removal services is beneficial, particularly in the wake of data breaches like the recent one experienced by HealthEquity. While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.
3. Place a fraud alert: Contact one of the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion) and request a fraud alert to be placed on your credit file. This will make it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name without verification.
4. Be cautious of phishing attempts: Be vigilant about emails, phone calls or messages from unknown sources asking for personal information. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or providing sensitive details unless you can verify the legitimacy of the request.
The best way to protect yourself from clicking malicious links that install malware that may get access to your private information is to have antivirus protection installed on all your devices. This can also alert you of any phishing emails or ransomware scams Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.
5. Check Social Security benefits: It is crucial to periodically check your Social Security benefits to ensure they have not been tampered with or altered in any way, safeguarding your financial security and preventing potential fraud.
6. Change your password: You can render a stolen password useless to thieves simply by changing it. Opt for a strong password — one you don’t use elsewhere. Even better, consider letting a password manager generate one for you.
7. Be wary of mailbox communications: Bad actors may also try to scam you through snail mail. The data leak gives them access to your address. They may impersonate people or brands you know and use themes that require urgent attention, such as missed deliveries, account suspensions and security alerts.
8. Contact the U.S. Federal Trade Commission: If you detect any unauthorized transactions in any of your financial accounts, you should immediately notify the appropriate payment card company or financial institution. If you detect any incidents of identity theft or fraud, promptly report it to your local law enforcement authorities, state attorney general and the Federal Trade Commission.
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Kurt’s key takeaway
The HealthEquity data breach highlights the need for strong cybersecurity practices, especially when it comes to protecting personal and health information. If you’re affected by this breach, it’s important to take action. Monitor your accounts and personal information for any unusual activity. Staying vigilant can help protect you from identity theft and financial fraud.
Do you feel confident in the measures HealthEquity is taking to protect your data going forward? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter
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/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25826491/PXL_20250106_223233485.jpg "Intel still dreams of modular PCs — it brought a tablet laptop gaming handheld to CES")
While I was there, I also spotted a heavy metal handheld on a table that didn’t seem… fully attached… to its screen. When I lifted the screen, it came away easily.
It felt suspiciously light to be a real tablet, so I flipped it over and saw three connectors underneath:
Above it, on a shelf, was a laptop with a suspiciously sized chunk of plastic on the bottom that looked like a perfect match. A minute later, Intel gaming evangelist Colin Helms confirmed: I was looking at a concept modular PC.
That module contains a complete Intel Lunar Lake computer, the entire guts you’d need to make one work outside of peripherals and screen. It’s basically a reboot of Intel’s abandoned Compute Card idea, except it’s not all Intel’s doing and you probably shouldn’t ever expect it to ship.
It’s a concept from Quanta, a company whose name you don’t typically see on the laptops and tablets they create, because Quanta is an ODM (like Compal, Pegatron, Wistron, and Apple’s better known iPhone supplier Foxconn) that designs and manufactures hardware on behalf of brand names.
Quanta’s calling the whole modular system the “AI8A,” and the aforementioned module at its heart is the “Detachable AI Core.” Helms told me it plugs into other concept computers as well, including an all-in-one desktop that Intel didn’t have to show off. And presumably, like the Compute Card idea, you could upgrade your computer just by putting a new new module into it.
The modular laptop has lots of concept-y bells and whistles too, so many that Intel’s CES staff hadn’t even worked them all out yet.
For starts, the laptop has a motorized hinge, so you can tell it to open and close its own lid; it also claims to offer eye-tracking that lets you sling around multitasking windows just by looking at where you’d like them to be. It apparently comes with a mouse integrated into a ring that you could wear.
The most mundane: a built-in Qi wireless charging pad in the palmrest, with indicator lights to show your battery’s remaining capacity.
I couldn’t try any of it working, unfortunately, nor did I manage to ask what “AI8A” means, because I mistakenly thought it said Aiba until I checked my photos closely just now. Nor could we hotswap the module between the handheld and laptop, since the module apparently doesn’t have a battery inside.
Again, this is a cool computing concept car: it’s not likely that this computer will ever ship, even in a more practical / less gadgety form. Thankfully, we have begun to see some real, practical modularity in the laptop space since the death of Intel’s Compute Card. Framework just celebrated its fifth anniversary this week, and Dell took a smaller step forward at CES with its first modular repairable USB-C port.
Photos by Sean Hollister / The Verge
I was having dinner with my husband in Paris. We got the wine menu and all the names, of course, were in French. Barry wanted something equivalent to a Napa cabernet, so I took a picture of the menu and asked ChatGPT. In seconds, it recommended a wine. I double-checked with the waiter, and he gave it a thumbs-up.
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You might think AI is just for businesses, programmers, or the ultra tech-savvy, but it’s not. It’s for anyone willing to give it a try.
AI EXPERT: CHATGPT PROMPTS YOU’LL WISH YOU KNEW SOONER
Instead of ignoring this powerful tool, make this the year you embrace AI. It’s easier and more helpful than you think.
Let’s start with the basics
“So, uh, where do I find ChatGPT?” I get that in my email every day. Use it on the web or download it for iPhone or Android.
The free tier works for most people. I pay $20 a month for ChatGPT Plus. It’s worth it to me for access to the better features and faster response times. Start with free. If you find yourself relying on your favorite AI tool regularly, consider upgrading. It is worth considering.
A man is pictured working on an airplane and using a cellphone. (iStock)
ChatGPT isn’t the only option, but it is my preference (at least for now) and the most popular. You can also try Google Gemini, Perplexity and Claude.
With all these, the workflow is the same. Think of it like Google, but instead of punching in one search term and scrolling through results, you have a “conversation” with the bot to get exactly the output you want.
Like any tool, you need to use AI wisely and triple-check its results. Trust me, you don’t want to end up like those lawyers who used AI to draft court documents, only to have the judge catch the glaring mistakes.
BIOMETRIC DATA: IS IT SAFE TO HAND IT OVER TO ANY COMPANY THAT ASKS?
You’ve heard of prompts, right?
This is what we call the text, question or command you provide an AI system to guide its response or action. It’s your instruction on what you want, so the better your prompt, the more useful and accurate the response will be.
“Priming” is the insider term for telling a chatbot exactly what you want from it. With ChatGPT or any other, the more constraints you give, the better your answer. Examples: “Limit your response to 250 words,” “Give me the list in bullet points,” “Format the results as a table,” “Use this data to create a bar chart.”
Remember, AI can’t read your mind. It only knows what you tell it. Use “do” and “don’t” in your prompts to get the results you want. Say you’re cooking for friends, and some have allergies. Say, “Create a recipe for six people. Do include protein, fruits, vegetables and carbs. Don’t include dairy products, shellfish or nuts.”
Close-up of the icon of the ChatGPT artificial intelligence chatbot app logo on a cellphone screen. (iStock)
7 prompts to make life easier
Make your goals actionable: “I have a goal for 2025 to [fill in the blank]. Can you help me make it SMART?” (SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Realistic and Time-related.) Maybe you’re not there yet. Try this: “I want to [fill in the blank], but it feels overwhelming, and I don’t know where to start. Can you help me by breaking it down into more manageable tasks?”
“Give me 10 more examples”: That’s a prompt I use with ChatGPT all the time to make the chatbot a better brainstorming buddy. Some of its “ideas” are downright bad, but it might spark something creative in your brain, too.
“How can I make this better?” Add in anything you’ve written — a blog post, a travel plan, a resume or even a heartfelt email. This prompt works wonders for polishing your work and pointing out improvements, like a personal editor at your fingertips.
DO THIS WITH YOUR FAMILY VIDEOS BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE
Your very own free assistant: Say you have messy notes from a meeting. By hand, you’d spend 15 minutes turning those into an email fit for your boss or team. Instead, open a chatbot and say, “Turn these notes into a professional, friendly email to my team.” Paste your notes at the end and voila. Pro tip: Ask your bot of choice, “Is there anything that needs more details?” to fill in any missing info.
Shortcut your inbox: When you get a really long email, open your AI chatbot of choice, and type in the prompt, “Summarize this email for me. Tell me what I need to do, then write a thoughtful reply. Here is the email.” Paste in the email and let AI do its magic.
Wanna get in shape? Ask your AI to create a custom fitness plan. Try this: “Create a 30-day fitness plan for fat loss and muscle gain tailored to a [male/female] beginner at [your age].” Or get specific: “Create a four-week fitness plan to help me run a mile for the first time.” Don’t sweat it.
A 12-year-old boy types as he uses a laptop computer on December 19, 2023, in Bath, England. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Spouse forgot to load the dishes again? Instead of firing off a rage-filled text, let AI step in. Ask your fave chatbot to reframe your frustration into something a bit more … constructive. I like this prompt: “Make this message sound more friendly.”
Don’t forget about privacy
It’s easy to think your bot is a trusted ally, especially when it’s pumping out helpful answers all day long. But it’s definitely not. It’s a data-collecting tool like any other.
Be smart about what you say. Never type in passwords, sensitive financial data, or confidential work or business information. My rule of thumb: Don’t tell a chatbot anything you wouldn’t want made public.
With a free ChatGPT or Perplexity account, you can turn off memory features in the app settings that remember everything you type in. For Google Gemini, you need a paid account to do this.
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/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23935560/acastro_STK103__03.jpg "Amazon is ‘winding down’ some of its DEI programs")
As we head toward the end of the year, I want to give another update on the work we’ve been doing around representation and inclusion.
As a large, global company that operates in different countries and industries, we serve hundreds of millions of customers from a range of backgrounds and globally diverse communities. To serve them effectively, we need millions of employees and partners that reflect our customers and communities. We strive to be representative of those customers and build a culture that’s inclusive for everyone.
In the last few years we took a new approach, reviewing hundreds of programs across the company, using science to evaluate their effectiveness, impact, and ROI – identifying the ones we believed should continue. Each one of these addresses a specific disparity, and is designed to end when that disparity is eliminated. In parallel, we worked to unify employee groups together under one umbrella, and build programs that are open to all. Rather than have individual groups build programs, we are focusing on programs with proven outcomes – and we also aim to foster a more truly inclusive culture. You can read more about this on our Together at Amazon page on A to Z.
This approach – where we move away from programs that were separate from our existing processes, and instead integrating our work into existing processes so they become durable— is the evolution to “built in” and “born inclusive,” instead of “bolted on.” As part of this evolution, we’ve been winding down outdated programs and materials, and we’re aiming to complete that by the end of 2024. We also know there will always be individuals or teams who continue to do well-intentioned things that don’t align with our company-wide approach, and we might not always see those right away. But we’ll keep at it.
We’ll continue to share ongoing updates, and appreciate your hard work in driving this progress. We believe this is important work, so we’ll keep investing in programs that help us reflect those audiences, help employees grow, thrive, and connect, and we remain dedicated to delivering inclusive experiences for customers, employees, and communities around the world.
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