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ADT hacked: Is your home security system really secure?

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ADT hacked: Is your home security system really secure?

Security company ADT, which provides residential and commercial electronic security, fire protection and other alarm monitoring services, has been hacked. The threat actors obtained limited customer information, including email addresses, phone numbers and postal addresses. The company stated that it has no reason to believe the hackers compromised home security systems or sensitive information. However, this security breach raises serious questions about data security.

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A technician installing an outdoor security camera (ADT) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What you need to know about the ADT hack

In an SEC filing dated Aug. 3, ADT confirmed that it suffered “a cybersecurity incident” during which hackers gained access to “certain databases containing ADT customer order information.” The company stated that despite taking swift action upon discovering the incident, the hackers managed to steal “limited customer information, including email addresses, phone numbers, and postal addresses.”

The security company, which had 6 million customers as of June 2024, offers its products throughout the United States. ADT didn’t specify the number of customers affected by the hack, and the wording in the SEC filing portrays the incident as a very minor one. This is a trend we’ve seen, where companies first downplay the incident and later reveal the exact damage caused.

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For example, insurance giant Prudential initially reported that only 36,545 users were affected, but it later revised the breach notice to state that 2.5 million were affected by the February incident.

ADT hacked: Is your home security system really secure?

ADT security system (ADT) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

HERE’S WHAT RUTHLESS HACKERS STOLE FROM 110 MILLION AT&T CUSTOMERS

Is your home security system compromised?

ADT clarified in its SEC filing that it doesn’t believe that customers’ home security systems or other information, such as credit card data or banking information, have been affected. However, the company did not reveal how it reached that conclusion. The disclosure follows a seller on a cybercrime forum claiming that they had obtained more than 30,000 stolen ADT customer records.

We contacted ADT for comment on this article, and a company spokesperson provided the following statement.

“ADT has determined that an unauthorized individual(s) gained access to certain ADT customer information. The company took immediate action; implemented our cybersecurity protocols, increased our alert levels, and began a forensic review of our systems. We can confirm that none of our customers’ home security systems were compromised and no personally sensitive information credit card data, or banking information was accessed.

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“Our customers’ privacy and security is our utmost priority, and we have taken several steps to help keep their information safe, including immediately activating rigorous cybersecurity protocols.

“A dedicated support team is standing by at (866) 437-9016 to assist customers and answer any questions.”

ADT hacked: Is your home security system really secure?

Outdoor security camera (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

WORLD’S LARGEST STOLEN PASSWORD DATABASE UPLOADED TO CRIMINAL FORUM

4 ways to protect yourself and your home in the wake of the ADT hack

The ADT hack is concerning, and if you’re a customer, below are some steps you should consider taking to protect your privacy and security.

1) Opt for a reliable home security system: While ADT is one of the largest home security companies in the U.S., the recent breach of customer information highlights potential vulnerabilities despite the company’s assurance that home security systems were not compromised. There are many other options on the market that you can consider, whether you like a professionally installed system or a do-it-yourself one. For reference, you can check out my guide on the best home security systems, where I’ve listed four of my favorite options. You might also want to find out if your home insurance offers a discount for installing robust security protection. 

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2) Invest in removal services: The ADT hack exposed a limited amount of customer information, including postal addresses, email addresses and phone numbers, which can be misused by hackers. ADT confirmed that no credit card or banking information was compromised, but the exposed data could still be used for phishing or other malicious activities. You can invest in a removal service to get this data removed from the web. While no service can promise to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is beneficial if you want to continuously monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites over a longer period. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.

3) 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.

 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 and iOS devices.

PHARMA GIANT’S DATA BREACH EXPOSES PATIENTS’ SENSITIVE INFORMATION

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Kurt’s key takeaway

Even though ADT says your home security systems are safe, the fact that hackers got their hands on personal info like emails and addresses is a wake-up call. It’s a reminder that even companies we trust to protect our homes can be vulnerable to cyberattacks. As we wait for more details, it’s important to keep an eye on how ADT handles the situation and stay alert. In today’s connected world, trusting our security providers is crucial, but it’s clear that we need to stay cautious, too.

How do you feel about the security of your personal information with companies like ADT after learning about this breach? 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.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

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Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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Cyberpunk Edgerunners 2 will be even sadder and bloodier

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Cyberpunk Edgerunners 2 will be even sadder and bloodier

The new season will be directed by Kai Ikarashi, who also directed episode six in the first season, “Girl on Fire.” There’s no word yet on when Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 will premiere, but they did show off this new poster artwork. A trailer will be shown later tonight during a panel at 8:30PM PT for the animation studio, Trigger.

Showrunner and writer Bartosz Sztybor said during Friday’s panel that for season one, “I just wanted to make the whole world sad… when people are sad, I’m a bit happy,” and that this new 10-episode season will be “…of course, sadder, but it will be also darker, more bloody, and more raw.”

A brief summary of the follow-up series tells fans what to expect following the end of David’s story in season one:

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 presents a new standalone 10-episode story from the world of Cyberpunk 2077— a raw chronicle of redemption and revenge. In a city that thrives in the spotlight of violence, one question remains: when the world is blinded by spectacle, what extremes do you have to go to make your story matter?

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How Google’s ‘Ask Photos’ uses AI to find the pictures you want

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How Google’s ‘Ask Photos’ uses AI to find the pictures you want

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Google Photos has always been a handy way to store and organize your pictures, but its latest feature, Ask Photos, is taking things to a whole new level. 

Powered by Google’s Gemini AI, Ask Photos lets you search your photo library using natural language. Let’s take a look at what makes Google Photos AI search so different, what’s improved and how it could change the way you interact with your memories.

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META AI’S NEW CHATBOT RAISES PRIVACY ALARMS

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Google Photos’ “Ask Photos” with Gemini (Google)

What is Google Photos’ AI search?

Ask Photos is Google’s new AI-powered search tool inside Google Photos. Instead of typing simple keywords or scrolling endlessly, you can now ask complex questions. Some examples are, “Show me the best photo from each national park I’ve visited,” or “What did I eat on my trip to Italy?” The AI understands context, dates, locations and even themes, making it easier to find exactly what you’re looking for.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

How does Ask Photos work?

Ask Photos uses the Gemini AI model, designed specifically for understanding the content and context of your images. When you ask a question, Gemini analyzes your photos, looking at things like location, people and even the quality of each shot. For example, if you ask for the best birthday party photos, it can identify party themes and highlight your favorite moments.

You can use Ask Photos for both simple and complex searches:

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  • Simple: “Show me pictures of my dog.”
  • Complex: “Find all the photos from 2025 when I had short hair.”
  • Contextual: “Remind me what themes we’ve had for Lena’s birthday parties?”
ask photos 2

Google Photos’ “Ask Photos” with Gemini (Google)

What’s new and improved?

After pausing the rollout earlier this year to address speed and quality issues, Google resumed and expanded Ask Photos to more users in the U.S. Now, Ask Photos displays classic search results alongside Gemini AI results on a single page, streamlining your search experience. Simple searches like “cats” or “nature” deliver instant results, while complex queries return faster and more accurate answers. If you prefer classic search, you can opt out of Ask Photos at any time by visiting your app settings and toggling off the “Search with Ask Photos” feature. This flexibility lets you search the way you want.

Availability and privacy

Ask Photos rolls out to more eligible users in the U.S., beyond early access testers. Requirements include being 18 or older, using English (U.S.) as your account language and enabling Face Groups. Google confirms your private photos remain untouched by advertising, and only specific queries may be reviewed to improve the service. Your answers stay private unless you contact support.

ask photos 3

Google Photos’ “Ask Photos” with Gemini   (Google)

Kurt’s key takeaways

Google Photos AI search is making it easier than ever to find specific memories, whether you’re looking for a single photo or trying to remember the details of a special event. With natural language search and the power of Gemini AI, Ask Photos could become the smartest way to browse your photo library.

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How comfortable are you with AI analyzing your personal photos, and where do you draw the line between convenience and privacy? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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 2025 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.  

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Meet Soham Parekh, the engineer burning through tech by working at three to four startups simultaneously

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Meet Soham Parekh, the engineer burning through tech by working at three to four startups simultaneously

One name is popping up a lot across tech startup social media right now, and you might’ve heard it: Soham Parekh. On X, people are joking that Parekh is single-handedly holding up all modern digital infrastructure, while others are posting memes about him working in front of a dozen different monitors or filling in for the thousands of people that Microsoft just laid off.

From what social media posts suggest, Parekh is actually a software engineer who seems to have interviewed at dozens of tech startups over the years, while also juggling multiple jobs at the same time. Several startups had this revelation on July 2nd, when Suhail Doshi, founder of the AI design tool Playground, posted a PSA on X, saying:

PSA: there’s a guy named Soham Parekh (in India) who works at 3-4 startups at the same time. He’s been preying on YC companies and more. Beware.

I fired this guy in his first week and told him to stop lying / scamming people. He hasn’t stopped a year later. No more excuses.

Doshi’s post was quickly flooded with replies that included similar stories. “We interviewed this guy too, but caught this during references checks,” Variant founder Ben South said. “Turns out he had 5-6 profiles each with 5+ places he actually worked at.” When asked what tipped him off about Parekh, South told The Verge that his suspicions arose during Parekh’s interview, prompting his team to do a reference check earlier than they usually would. “That’s when we learned he was working multiple jobs,” South said.

Parekh’s resume and pitch email look good at first glance, which helps him garner interest from multiple companies. “He had a prolific GitHub contribution graph and prior startup experience,” Marcus Lowe, founder of the AI app builder Create, told The Verge. “He was also extremely technically strong during our interview process.”

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Just one day after this all unfolded, Parekh came forward in an interview with the daily tech show TBPN. Parekh confirmed what many tech startup founders had suspected: he had been working for multiple companies at the same time. “I’m not proud of what I’ve done. That’s not something I endorse either. But no one really likes to work 140 hours a week, I had to do it out of necessity,” Parekh said. “I was in extremely dire financial circumstances.”

Parekh seems to have made a good first impression on many people. Digger CEO Igor Zalutski said his company “nearly hired him,” as he “seemed so sharp” during interviews, while AIVideo.com cofounder Justin Harvey similarly said that he was “THIS close to hiring him,” adding that “he actually crushed the interview.” Vapi cofounder Jordan Dearsley said Parekh “was the best technical interview” he’s seen, but he “did not deliver on his projects.”

The startups that did hire Parekh didn’t seem to keep him around for long. Lowe said that he noticed something was off when Parekh kept making excuses to push back his start date. After telling Lowe that he had to delay working because he had a trip planned to see his sister in New York, Parekh later claimed that he couldn’t start working following the trip because he was sick. “For whatever reason, something just felt off,” Lowe said.

That’s when Lowe visited Parekh’s GitHub profile and realized he was committing code to a private repository during the time he was supposed to be sick. Lowe also found recent commits to another San Francisco-based startup. “Did some digging, noticed that he was in some of their marketing materials,” Lowe said. “I was like, ‘Huh, but he didn’t declare this on his resume. This feels weird.’” Create ended up letting Parekh go after he failed to complete an assignment.

It looks like Parekh even had a stint at Meta. In 2021, the company published a post highlighting his story as a contributor working on mixed-reality experiences in WebXR. In the post, Parekh said that he found “that the best way to get better at software development is to not only practice it but to use it to solve real world problems.” Meta didn’t immediately respond to The Verge’s request for comment.

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Parekh’s purported scheme may have been uncovered, but his outlook might not be all bad — if you believe him. Parekh claims he landed a job at Darwin, an AI video remixing startup. “Earlier today, I signed an exclusive founding deal to be founding engineer at one company and one company only,” Parekh posted on X. “They were the only ones willing to bet on me at this time.”

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