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.
Technology
Protect your files and memories with simple spring cleaning tips

It happens without warning. Suddenly, access to your personal data gets interrupted by a simple hardware failure, a nasty virus, a cyberattack, a software glitch, accidental deletion or a human mistake. It’s clearer than ever that our personal data is vulnerable.
As an advocate for privacy and security and the editor behind the popular CyberGuy Report, which you can subscribe to for free at CyberGuy.com/newsletter, I have always emphasized the importance of personal responsibility when it comes to data security.
My top recommendation for protecting your precious memories, critical documents and the mountains of personal data we accumulate is straightforward: utilize a personal drive for backups.
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A woman working on her laptop. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Choosing the right backup tools
Spring is traditionally a time for cleaning, and this should extend to digital hygiene as well. Each year, I undertake a thorough cleaning of my personal data, making sure to back up documents, family photos and other irreplaceable items. There’s nothing quite like the peace of mind that comes from having a physical backup, which places control firmly in your hands, irrespective of whether you use a Mac, PC or even a Chromebook.

A man working on his laptop. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Recommended backup solutions
One of my favorite tools for this task is a WD portable drive, which offers 2 terabytes of storage. It easily connects to your device via SuperSpeed USB 3.0, ensuring quick and efficient data transfer, and is fully compatible with Chromebook. A reliable drive like this is a must-have; I use another similar WD model for my MacBook and PC.

Image of a portable drive. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Backup, unplug then store your portable drive in a secure place
In addition to regular ongoing backups either on the cloud or another drive, I use this WD drive that plugs into your Mac, PC or Chromebook as an extra copy of my important data that can be disconnected and kept in a safe place away from hackers and other threats.

A man working on his laptop. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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What to backup: A digital checklist
When deciding what to back up from your computer, it’s crucial to prioritize documents, files, and memories that are important and irreplaceable. Here’s a comprehensive list to consider:
1. Personal documents: Include items like birth certificates, passports, social security cards, marriage certificates, wills and other legal documents that could be difficult or time-consuming to replace.
2. Financial records: This category should cover bank statements, tax returns, investment records and other financial documents that are essential for personal record-keeping and legal compliance.
3. Photos and videos: Family photos, vacation videos, special events like weddings or graduations and other personal memories that cannot be recreated.
4. Work and educational documents: If you use your computer for work or school, ensure you back up important projects, research papers, presentations and related correspondence.
5. Emails: Some emails might contain important information, agreements or attachments that you may need to refer back to. Consider backing up important emails or archiving them.
6. Contacts: A backup of your digital address book can save you a lot of trouble in case you lose access to your devices.
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7. Music and media collections: For those who collect music, movies and books digitally, backing up these files ensures you don’t lose your collection.
8. Software and app data: Back up settings and data for apps that you use frequently, especially if they help manage your schedule, finances or health.
9. Website bookmarks: If you rely on bookmarks to navigate the internet efficiently, backing them up can save time if you need to restore or switch to a new device.
10. Game saves and profiles: If you’re a gamer, backing up your game saves and profiles can prevent loss of progress in case of system failure.
11. Creative works: Include writings, artwork, design files, coding projects or any other personal or professional creative work.

A woman looking at her phone while working on her laptop. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Some additional steps to consider to keep your data safe
Adopt the 3-2-1 backup strategy: Ensure you maintain three copies of your data: the original, a backup on a different device and a third copy stored offsite or in the cloud. This approach offers robust protection against data loss.
Implement two-factor authentication (2FA): Enhance account security by enabling 2FA, requiring additional verification steps beyond just passwords, thereby reducing unauthorized access risks.
Regularly update and patch systems: Keep your operating systems and software up to date to address vulnerabilities that cyber threats might exploit.
Use strong antivirus software: Install a trusted antivirus software solution to guard against ransomware, viruses, and malicious attacks that can compromise your files. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.
Update your passwords for better security: One of the most important steps in protecting your data is regularly updating your passwords to prevent unauthorized access. Here’s how to do it effectively:
- Use a password manager — Instead of relying on memory, use a trusted password manager like to generate and store complex passwords.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) — Add an extra layer of protection by requiring a secondary verification method, such as a one-time code via SMS or an authenticator app.
- Create unique passwords — Avoid reusing passwords across multiple accounts. Each password should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
- Check for compromised passwords — Use services with password breach detection. Some services include a data breach scanner that checks if your stored passwords have been leaked and suggests updates.
- Change default router and device passwords — If you’re still using the default login credentials for your Wi-Fi router, smart home devices or online accounts, update them immediately to prevent security risks.
Get more details about my best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 here.
By updating passwords along with other spring-cleaning security measures, you significantly reduce the risk of cyber threats and unauthorized access to your sensitive data.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Taking a few minutes to protect your data and devices today can save you hours of frustration, heartache and financial loss tomorrow. Regular backups and trusted antivirus software work hand in hand to shield your digital life. Unplug your backup drive when finished and store it in a safe place — it’s a small step that makes a big difference.
What’s your ‘data disaster’ story, and what lessons did you learn about digital backups from it? 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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Technology
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?
Technology
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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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:
- 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?”

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.

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

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.”
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.
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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