Technology
Illinois DHS data breach exposes 700K residents’ records
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Illinois residents are once again being reminded how fragile government data systems can be. The Illinois Department of Human Services has confirmed a data breach that exposed sensitive records belonging to roughly 700,000 people.
The breach is believed to have exposed two distinct sets of records. One is personal and program-related data tied to more than 672,000 Medicaid and Medicare Savings Program recipients, including addresses, case numbers, demographic details and medical assistance plan names, and another 32,000 Division of Rehabilitation Services customers whose names, addresses, case details and referral information were also exposed over multiple years.
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FIBER BROADBAND GIANT INVESTIGATES BREACH AFFECTING 1M USERS
The Illinois Department of Human Services confirmed a data breach that exposed sensitive records tied to roughly 700,000 residents, including Medicaid and disability services recipients. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
What happened in the Illinois DHS data breach
As spotted by Bleeping Computer, the Illinois Department of Human Services disclosed that unauthorized access to one of its systems led to the exposure of records tied to approximately 700,000 Illinois residents. The affected data was connected to individuals who interacted with DHS programs, which can include benefits, assistance services and support programs across the state.
According to the agency, the breach involved personally identifiable information. While officials have not publicly released every technical detail, DHS confirmed that sensitive records were accessed, prompting notifications to impacted individuals. As is typical in cases like this, the investigation is ongoing, and the full scope of how the intrusion occurred is still being reviewed.
For residents, the key issue is not just that data was accessed, but the type of data DHS holds. Government agencies like DHS often store names, addresses, dates of birth, case numbers and, in some instances, Social Security numbers or benefits-related information. Once that data escapes, it can be misused in ways that last for years.
Why breaches like this are especially risky
When a private company is breached, you can often change a password or close an account. Government data is different. You can’t change your Social Security number easily. You can’t erase past interactions with public assistance programs. That makes breaches involving state agencies particularly dangerous.
Exposed records can be used for identity theft, fraudulent benefit claims, phishing scams and long-term impersonation. Criminals often combine government data with information from other breaches to build detailed profiles that make scams far more convincing. Even if there’s no immediate misuse, stolen data frequently resurfaces months or years later.
As with many large breaches, DHS has stated that it is taking steps to secure its systems and prevent similar incidents in the future. That’s an expected response. But for affected residents, the burden of protection now shifts largely to you.
We reached out to the Illinois Department of Human Services for comment, but did not receive a response before our deadline.
JANUARY SCAMS SURGE: WHY FRAUD SPIKES AT THE START OF THE YEAR
Personal information from Illinois DHS programs was accessed without authorization, raising concerns about long-term identity theft and fraud risks. (Philip Dulian/picture alliance via Getty Images)
7 steps you can take to stay safe after the Illinois DHS breach
If you received a notification from Illinois DHS, or if you’ve ever interacted with DHS programs, these steps can help reduce your risk.
1) Enroll in identity theft protection if it’s offered
If DHS provides free identity monitoring or credit protection, sign up. These services can alert you to suspicious activity involving your Social Security number or credit file before the damage spreads. Beyond basic monitoring, full identity theft services can help with recovery, paperwork and financial reimbursement if fraud occurs. This can be especially useful after large-scale government breaches.
Identity Theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number, 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 at Cyberguy.com.
2) Use a password manager immediately
A password manager helps you create and store strong, unique passwords for every account. If your personal data is leaked, attackers often try the same credentials across multiple services. Unique passwords stop one breach from turning into many.
Next, 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.
3) Run strong antivirus software on your devices
Strong antivirus tools do more than scan files. They monitor suspicious behavior, phishing attempts and malicious links that often follow large data breaches. This matters because breach victims are frequently targeted with follow-up scams.
The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
4) Place a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit file
A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts. A credit freeze goes further by blocking new credit entirely unless you lift it. If Social Security numbers were exposed, a freeze is often the safest option.
5) Use a personal data removal service
Once your information leaks, it often spreads to data broker sites that sell personal details. Personal data removal services work to request takedowns and reduce how much of your information is publicly available. While they can’t erase everything, they significantly lower your exposure.
While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
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.
Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.
6) Watch for phishing and impersonation scams
After breaches involving government agencies, scammers often pretend to be state officials, benefits offices, or support hotlines. Don’t click links or share information unless you independently verify the source through official websites or phone numbers.
7) Review your credit reports regularly
You’re entitled to free credit reports from major credit bureaus. Check them for unfamiliar accounts, inquiries or address changes. Early detection makes identity theft far easier to contain.
COVENANT HEALTH DATA BREACH AFFECTS NEARLY 500,000 PATIENTS
State officials say the breach involved Medicaid, Medicare Savings Program and rehabilitation services records spanning multiple years. (Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Kurt’s key takeaway
Even government agencies are not immune to large-scale security failures. When nearly 700,000 residents are affected, the impact goes far beyond a single system or department. While DHS works through its investigation, protecting your identity now depends largely on the steps you take next. Acting early, layering protections and staying vigilant can make the difference between a breach being an inconvenience or a long-term nightmare.
Do you trust state agencies to protect your personal data? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
Woot is offering over 20 percent off Switch 2 controllers and games today
Woot is running a day-long sale coinciding with the start of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. Many products across multiple tech categories are discounted, including dozens of video games and accessories. What’s more, you can get an extra 20 percent off through 12:59AM ET on March 26th when you use code SAVETWENTY. Also, if you’re a Prime member who links their Amazon account, you’ll get free shipping.
Of the grab bag of products, the Nintendo Switch 2-related discounts stood out the most. For instance, you can get the physical version of Mario Kart World at Woot for $52 ($28 off). If your Switch 2 didn’t already include a digital copy of the exclusive, World is a must-have racing title that’s fun to play alone or with others (my colleague Andrew Webster called it “the perfect launch game” in his review). It includes an open world chock-full of challenges — a series first — or you can race through different course-filled cups, just like in the old days.
Additionally, 8BitDo’s fantastic Ultimate 2 and Pro 3 controllers — both compatible with the Switch 2 and other platforms — currently cost $36 and $37.60, respectively. Considering that both gamepads typically cost over $50 each, the savings are steep enough to consider getting more than one gamepad. The Ultimate 2 and Pro 3 have a similar set of features — rumble, motion controls, TMR joysticks, customizable back paddles, an extra shoulder button, and adjustable triggers — but their button and stick layouts cater to different gamers.
While the Ultimate 2 is arranged like a Switch 2 Pro (which itself is an Xbox-style layout), the Pro 3 is more akin to a PlayStation controller, with sticks close together in the middle. One neat feature of the Pro 3 not found in the Ultimate 2 is the ability to pull off its magnetic buttons and swap their positions, which is handy if you’re switching platforms. Both models also feature a 90-day Woot warranty. Read our Pro 3 review.
If you already own Mario Kart World — or don’t own a Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 — there are also plenty of other great deals to choose from, including titles for both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X / S.
Here’s a smattering of favorites:
Technology
Air taxis in the US could launch this summer
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For years, air taxis felt like one of those “almost here” technologies. You have seen the sleek designs. You have heard the promises. Quiet flights. Lower costs. No traffic. And yet, nothing.
Now, that might actually change. A new federal push could put electric air taxis in the sky as early as this summer. Not everywhere. Not at full scale. But in enough places to make this real for the first time. This is the first program of its kind designed to bring air taxis into everyday U.S. airspace.
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Joby’s long-tested aircraft is nearing final FAA approval and could be among the first to carry passengers in U.S. air taxi services. (Joby Aviation)
What exactly is an air taxi?
An air taxi, also called an eVTOL, is a small electric aircraft that can take off and land vertically. Think helicopter without the noise and cost. These aircraft are designed to move people short distances across cities or regions. You could skip traffic entirely and fly from one part of a city to another in minutes.
The pitch is simple:
- Faster than driving
- Cheaper than helicopters
- Cleaner than traditional aircraft.
It sounds great. But getting there has been anything but simple.
Why air taxis are still waiting on FAA approval
The biggest hurdle has not been technology. It has been regulation. The FAA requires commercial aircraft to meet extremely high safety standards. We are talking about failure rates closer to commercial airlines than cars.
That creates a problem. Traditional aircraft follow well-known designs. eVTOLs are completely new. They take off vertically, then transition into forward flight. That adds complexity and risk.
Companies like Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation and others have spent years testing. Some have logged thousands of flights. Still, full approval has remained just out of reach.
How the FAA is fast-tracking air taxis in the U.S.
Now comes a major shift. The government has launched a new initiative called the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program. The goal is to speed things up without lowering safety standards.
Instead of waiting for full nationwide approval, companies can begin limited operations in specific areas. This rollout breaks from the old all-or-nothing approval model. Instead of waiting years for full certification, companies can now prove safety in real-world conditions and expand from there.
Eight pilot programs have been approved across the country, including:
- New York and New Jersey, with flights from Manhattan heliports
- Texas connecting cities like Dallas, Austin and San Antonio
- Florida testing passenger flights, cargo and medical use
- North Carolina and Virginia are exploring autonomous operations.
PRIVATE AUTONOMOUS PODS COULD REDEFINE RIDE-SHARING
eVTOL Integration Pilot Program sites. (U.S. Department of Transportation)
These pilot programs span 26 states, creating one of the largest real-world test environments for next-generation aircraft. These aircraft will not just carry passengers. They will support cargo delivery, emergency medical response and regional transportation. Data from these pilot programs will help the FAA create new rules to safely expand air taxi use nationwide. That last part matters more than it seems.
“This is the clearest sign yet from the White House, the FAA and the DOT that bringing air taxis to market in the United States is a real priority,” said Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer. “We appreciate Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford’s leadership and are excited to bring Midnight to the skies of some of America’s largest cities.”
Why air taxis are part of a U.S. vs China aviation race
This push is not only about getting you across town faster. It is also about keeping up. China has already moved ahead in drones and air mobility. Companies there have been running real commercial passenger flights since 2023.
Meanwhile, drones have changed modern warfare and logistics. They are cheap, effective and scalable. The U.S. wants to lead again. That means accelerating innovation across civilian and military systems. Air taxis are one piece of that bigger strategy.
The autonomy factor no one is talking about enough
Here is where things get even more interesting. Many of these aircraft are designed to become autonomous. At first, you will likely see pilots on board. But long-term, the goal is to remove them. Why? Pilots add weight. They increase the cost. They limit scalability.
Companies are already testing highly automated systems that can handle complex flight decisions in real time. That means the version of air taxis you see in the next few years may not be the final version.
What this means for you
This is where it gets real. Air taxis will not replace your car overnight. But they could start changing how you think about getting around. Here is how it could impact you:
Shorter commutes in crowded cities
If you live near a major metro area, you may soon have a new option that cuts travel time dramatically.
Faster emergency response
Medical flights and disaster response could become quicker and more efficient.
New pricing models for travel
At first, rides may feel premium. Over time, prices could drop closer to rideshare levels.
More automation in transportation
If air taxis go autonomous, it signals a bigger shift across all forms of travel.
New safety questions
Faster rollout means regulators and companies will need to prove these systems are safe in the real world.
NEW YORK HALTS ROBOTAXI EXPANSION PLAN
Archer’s aircraft is part of the new FAA pilot program, aiming to launch short city routes that could cut travel times dramatically. (Archer Aviation)
So when will you actually be able to ride one?
The timeline is finally getting clearer. You may start seeing limited operations as early as summer 2026. That does not mean you can open an app and book a flight right away.
Early access will likely focus on:
- Specific routes
- Controlled environments
- Pilot programs with limited passengers.
But once that door opens, expansion tends to move quickly. We saw it with rideshare. We saw it with electric vehicles. This could follow the same path.
“The first time I saw a Waymo on the road in San Francisco, it was a big deal. Now, self-driving cars are just part of everyday life there. I believe the eIPP will do the same thing for air taxis. Every safe flight builds towards public acceptance, and we need to build that acceptance in parallel with our certification efforts,” said Adam Goldstein, CEO of Archer.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Air taxis have lived in the “almost here” category for a long time. Now, they are stepping into reality. There are still real challenges ahead. Safety, cost and infrastructure all need to catch up. But this new approach changes the pace of progress. Instead of waiting for perfection, the industry is moving forward in controlled steps. And once people experience this kind of travel firsthand, expectations will shift fast.
If you could skip traffic and fly across your city in minutes, would you try it… or wait until everyone else goes first? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
The Bumpboxx BB-777 is the ultimate in boombox nostalgia
Bumpboxx is fully embracing nostalgia with its latest boombox, the BB-777, which is modeled very closely on the legendary Sharp GF-777. A real deal GF-777 will set you back over $2,000 for one in working order. Plus, that vintage unit lacks modern amenities like Bluetooth or a rechargeable battery. Heck, it doesn’t even have a CD player.
The BB-777 takes the core of the GF, right down to the dual-cassette decks, control layout, and speaker specs printed above the subwoofers. It’s undeniably a gorgeous piece of gear with its vintage silver finish and extensive physical controls. But then it adds a replaceable battery pack, Bluetooth, and an LCD screen. One unfortunate loss is the analog VU meters, something that We Are Rewind managed to include on its Blaster boombox.
There are six speakers: Two Super Woofers with dedicated gain control, two coaxial speakers, and two horn tweeters. They’re pushing out a total of 270W, so volume shouldn’t be a concern. Unless, of course, you’re worried about it being too loud. The speakers are ported too, to help with bass response.
In addition to the dual cassette decks, the BB-777 has a slot-loading CD player, an AM / FM / shortwave radio, USB audio playback (MP3 / WMA / WAV / FLAC / ACC), an aux input (with an included RCA adapter), plus Bluetooth. It can even record directly to a USB drive from the tape decks, CD, or radio for digitizing and archiving. Basically, the only thing it can’t do is stream audio directly over Wi-Fi.
There are also two microphone inputs on the front in case you want to get real old school and use the BB-777 to host a rap battle in the park or MC a break dancing competition. There are also two built-in mics for reasons that I’m not entirely sure of. But it might come in handy if you just want to quickly record your kid saying something funny on cassette.
There is a handle for lugging it around, but you’ll probably want to make use of the shoulder strap if you’re going more than a few yards, as the BB-777 weighs in at a chunky 28-pounds. Instead of going straight to market, Bumpboxx is taking the BB-777 to Kickstarter first. A pledge of $649 will secure you one when they start shipping, supposedly in June. After that, they’ll cost $1,049 at retail.
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