Technology
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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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.
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.
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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.
“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.”
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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.
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.
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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.
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Technology
Backup by BioLite is a beefy emergency battery for your big appliances
Instead of wiring into a home’s breaker box, the Backup by BioLite home backup power solution relies on thin battery panels that can fit behind appliances to keep them running for days at a time. It’s built around two 1.5kWh lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4, or LFP) batteries, the Backup Core and Backup Extend. Like any uninterruptible power supply, the Backup Core keeps itself perpetually charged from a wall outlet while power is available, then switches to keep whatever’s plugged into it running during a power outage.
If you need more backup power, up to five Backup Extend units can be connected to a Backup Core unit to expand the total capacity to 9kWh, and you don’t need a contractor or electrician to install any of it.
BioLite’s system was designed to be a cheaper and easier alternative to whole-home backup power solutions that rely on a central battery or gas-powered generator to keep an entire house running during a power outage. A natural gas generator alone can cost well over $5,000, while a Tesla Powerwall installation can set you back over $10,000.
The Backup Core battery panel will sell for $1,999, but BioLite will also offer a $2,999 Backup Complete solution, pairing a Core with a single Extend battery, that’s eligible for a 30 percent home energy tax credit. The company says the 3kWh Backup Complete has enough capacity to keep an 18 cubic foot fridge running for up to 60 hours or a larger 26 cubic foot fridge powered for up to 30 hours while also allowing for the occasional use of lights or other smaller appliances.
BioLite is bringing its backup power solution to consumers through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign that launches today, with discounts for early backers or those who opt to put down a deposit and pay in full through an installment plan later. Although the company has been around since 2006, making products like a power-generating camp stove, this will be its most expensive offering to date, and the usual caveats and risks with crowdfunded products apply here.
The Backup by BioLite batteries measure 29 inches tall and weigh between 35 and 40 lbs. They’re each just 2.8 inches thick, however, allowing them to be mounted out of sight behind appliances or furniture using hardware that takes about 30 minutes to install, claims the company. But a permanent installation isn’t necessary, as BioLite says the batteries will work just as well placed atop a fridge or slid under a bed.
Technology
Tesla's Cybertruck gets military makeover with tactical twist
The future of apocalypse-ready vehicles is here, thanks to a collaboration between Archimedes Defense and Unplugged Performance. Together, they have unveiled the STING package for Tesla’s Cybertruck. This package transforms the Cybertruck into an impressive machine equipped with advanced features tailored for survival and resilience.
Let’s explore how these enhancements make the Cybertruck not just a means of transportation but a vital tool for navigating a world turned upside down. From advanced armor to innovative power sources, we’ll take a closer look at what makes this electric powerhouse ready for anything the future might throw at it.
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What’s all the fuss about?
The STING package for Tesla Cybertrucks is not just futuristic but practically bulletproof and able to charge itself in the middle of nowhere. That’s the STING package in a nutshell, folks. It’s like Tesla and Mad Max had a baby and that baby grew up to be a superhero.
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The 3 STING variations
The STING package offers three distinct variations: Sting Baja, Sting Protector and Sting APC. Each variation is designed to meet specific operational needs, whether for adventurous off-grid excursions or high-threat environments.
STING Baja: This bad boy is for those who want to go off-road and venture where no charging station has gone before. It comes with the UP INVINCIBLE® off-road package and a nifty frunk-mounted generator that can run on jet fuel, diesel or biodiesel. The AMP Drive G125 is an 800-volt beast that can supercharge the Cybertruck at up to 125kW. And get this: It can even rescue-charge other vehicles.
STING Protector: Stepping it up a notch, this variation adds bolt-on armor plating that can withstand assault rifle rounds. It’s perfect for corporate bigwigs or government officials who like their rides extra secure.
STING APC: The crème de la crème of apocalypse-ready vehicles. This beast can withstand heavy machine gun fire and even improvised explosive devices. The STING APC variation takes protection to a whole new level with upgraded bolt-on offset steel and ceramic armor plating. It’s like driving around in a personal tank.
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Military applications
The STING package for Tesla Cybertrucks presents intriguing possibilities for tactical operations. Its electric power train offers two key advantages that could revolutionize battlefield tactics: silent mobility and silent watch. These capabilities are often referred to in military terms as having a low acoustic and thermal signature.
Silent mobility
The Cybertruck’s electric motors provide near-silent operation, allowing troops to approach targets without making much noise. This stealth capability could be a game-changer for reconnaissance missions and surprise attacks, enabling forces to get much closer to objectives without detection.
Silent watch
Silent watch is a crucial aspect of military operations where warfighters often engage in observation of enemy activity in silence. Traditional internal combustion engine vehicles are loud and inefficient when idling. In contrast, EVs like the Cybertruck consume much less energy and remain silent when stationary while still providing climate control and powering communication devices. This efficiency and stealth during stationary operations can significantly enhance surveillance and covert missions.
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Additional benefits
The Cybertruck’s low center of gravity, due to its battery placement, offers improved stability compared to traditional military vehicles. This could translate to better performance in rough terrain and increased resistance to rollovers, enhancing both safety and maneuverability in combat situations. As the U.S. military explores hybrid and electric options for its tactical fleet, vehicles like the militarized Cybertruck could serve as valuable test beds for integrating cutting-edge EV technology into combat operations.
Law enforcement applications
The benefits of electric vehicles extend beyond military applications. Police fleets could also greatly benefit from EV technology, particularly in terms of efficiency during idle times. Police vehicles often spend a significant amount of time idling while officers conduct surveillance or perform stationary duties. EVs would allow for silent, efficient operation during these periods, reducing fuel consumption while still powering necessary equipment and maintaining climate control.
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The price of survival
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “This sounds expensive.” And you’re right. While prices haven’t been announced yet, the company tells us that pricing is highly dependent on the customization options customers choose. However, it’s safe to assume this won’t come cheap. But considering the Cybertruck’s base price, anyone looking to upgrade to the STING package likely won’t mind the extra cost. After all, can you really put a price on surviving the apocalypse in style?
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Kurt’s key takeaways
The STING package for the Cybertruck definitely pushes the limits of what we thought possible for civilian vehicles. It’s a clear sign of our constant drive to be ready for anything, even while hoping for the best. Whether it’s for adventurous civilians, military operations or law enforcement missions, the STING package definitely ensures you’re prepared for extreme conditions and high-threat environments.
How much importance do you place on having a vehicle that can handle extreme conditions, even if you might never encounter them? 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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Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:
New from Kurt:
Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
Mickey 17’s first trailer is light in tone, heavy on dead Robert Pattinsons
It may have been delayed until next year, but at least we now have our first look at Mickey 17. The debut trailer for the sci-fi film — which is helmed by Parasite director Bong Joon-ho and stars Robert Pattinson as Mickey Barnes — premiered Tuesday evening. According to the trailer’s description, Barnes “has found himself in the extraordinary circumstance of working for an employer who demands the ultimate commitment to the job… to die, for a living.”
The movie is based on the novel Mickey 7 by Edward Ashton, about “a disposable employee on a human expedition sent to colonize the ice world Niflheim.” The book follows the seventh incarnation of the titular Mickey, but it appears in the movie he dies quite a few more times. In addition to Pattinson, it stars Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo, and Thomas Turgoose.
Mickey 17 will be Joon-ho’s first film since Parasite in 2019, and is slated to hit theaters on January 31st, 2025.
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