You might have noticed that in the past few months, many companies have disclosed data breaches, including Google, Dior and Allianz, and one name that appeared in most cases was Salesforce. Hackers did not breach company networks directly or exploit vulnerabilities in Salesforce’s core software. Instead, they targeted the tools and people around it by tricking employees into granting access, compromising third-party apps and abusing overly broad permissions.

Once inside, they siphoned sensitive data from Salesforce environments on an unprecedented scale. Nearly a billion records were stolen across dozens of organizations, and now cybercriminals are extorting victims by threatening to publish the data unless hefty ransoms are paid. Let’s look at the recent Salesforce incidents in detail and why this is such a big deal.

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JEEP AND CHRYSLER PARENT STELLANTIS CONFIRMS DATA BREACH

Hackers are weaponizing stolen Salesforce credentials to access company secrets. (REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)

Why Salesforce is the perfect target

Salesforce is not just another cloud platform. It is the backbone of how thousands of companies manage relationships with their customers. The platform powers everything from sales pipelines and marketing campaigns to support tickets and partner communications. Banks use it to track client accounts, airlines rely on it to manage frequent flyer programs, and retailers store customer purchase histories and loyalty data inside it. In many organizations, Salesforce sits at the center of daily operations, acting as a single system that touches sensitive information across departments.

That is why the scale of these breaches is so significant. A successful attack on a Salesforce instance becomes a window into a company’s customers, business strategy and internal processes. For cybercriminals, the potential payoff is enormous, and the recent incidents showed just how much damage they can cause without ever breaking into a company’s primary network.

The breaches hit companies across sectors, from Adidas and Allianz to Qantas, Google and Pandora Jewelry. Attackers often use voice-phishing calls or realistic fake apps to manipulate Salesforce administrators into installing malicious software. This allowed them to steal OAuth tokens and query data directly from CRM systems, a technique linked to groups like ShinyHunters.

Other attacks originated in compromised third-party integrations. One of the most damaging involved a chatbot tool called Drift, where stolen tokens gave attackers access to Salesforce instances at hundreds of companies.

The fallout was enormous. Coca-Cola’s European division lost more than 23 million CRM records, while Farmers Insurance and Allianz Life reported breaches affecting over a million customers each. Even Google admitted that attackers accessed a Salesforce database used for advertising leads.

TRANSUNION BECOMES LATEST VICTIM IN MAJOR WAVE OF SALESFORCE-LINKED CYBERATTACKS, 4.4M AMERICANS AFFECTED

Major brands like Google, Dior and Allianz are among those caught in the data fallout. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Exploiting weak links in the ecosystem

It’s hard to break through firewalls or exploit technical vulnerabilities, but it’s much easier to manipulate people. Attackers have figured this out, and they are now focusing their efforts on human behavior and the less-protected edges of cloud ecosystems. Employees with administrative privileges were often tricked into authorizing malicious apps, while default permission settings allowed those apps to operate undetected.

Once they obtained the data, the hackers did not simply try to sell it. They used it as leverage. Earlier this month, a loosely organized cybercrime group known by names such as Lapsus$, Scattered Spider and ShinyHunters launched a dedicated data leak site on the dark web, threatening to publish sensitive information unless victims paid a ransom.

As reported, the site is designed to pressure companies into paying to prevent their stolen data from being made public. “Contact us to regain control of your data governance and prevent public disclosure,” reads one message on the site. “Do not be the next headline. All communications require strict verification and will be handled with discretion.”

The leak site lists several alleged victims, including FedEx, Hulu (owned by Disney) and Toyota Motors. It is also unclear whether some of the organizations known to have been breached but not listed on the site have paid ransoms to keep their data from being released.

FARMERS INSURANCE DATA BREACH EXPOSES 1.1M AMERICANS

Cybercriminals are now extorting victims online, threatening to leak billions of stolen records. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Salesforce’s response

Salesforce told Cyberguy that it is “aware of recent extortion attempts by threat actors” and will not engage with, negotiate with, or pay any extortion demands. A company spokesperson provided the following statement:

“We are aware of recent extortion attempts by threat actors, which we have investigated in partnership with external experts and authorities. Our findings indicate these attempts relate to past or unsubstantiated incidents, and we remain engaged with affected customers to provide support. At this time, there is no indication that the Salesforce platform has been compromised, nor is this activity related to any known vulnerability in our technology.”

6 steps you can take to protect your data

You might think a breach like this is a company problem, something for IT teams and cybersecurity experts to deal with. However, when attackers gain access to platforms like Salesforce, the data they are after is usually not the company’s. It is yours. Your contact details, purchase history, support tickets and even private conversations can end up in the wrong hands. And once that happens, the risks do not stay confined to one company. That is why it is worth taking a few proactive steps now, even if the company has not contacted you about an incident yet.

1) Lock down your accounts now

If you have interacted with any of the companies mentioned in the breach, or suspect your data might be part of it, change your passwords for those services immediately. Better yet, use a password manager to generate strong, unique passwords for every site. A good tool will also alert you if any of your credentials appear in future data leaks.

Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our No. 1 password manager 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 2025 at Cyberguy.com.

2) Turn on two-factor authentication

Even if a password is stolen, two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a crucial extra layer of security. Enable it for your email, banking apps, cloud storage and any service that offers it. It is one of the simplest ways to block attackers from hijacking your accounts with stolen credentials. 

3) Use a personal data removal service

Even if your data was part of a breach, you can still limit how much of it is floating around online. Personal data removal services scan and delete your personal information from data broker websites that sell or share your details without consent. These brokers often trade in names, addresses, phone numbers and even purchase histories, the same type of data leaked in Salesforce-related breaches.

By removing your records from these public databases, you make it far harder for scammers, identity thieves and marketers to find or misuse your information. Many services, like Incogni, handle the entire opt-out process automatically and keep monitoring to ensure your data stays removed.

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.

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4) Spot and stop targeted phishing attacks

Attackers who have CRM data often know more about you than a typical scammer. They might reference past purchases, support cases, or other personal details to make their messages sound legitimate. Treat unexpected emails, texts, or phone calls with suspicion, especially if they involve links or requests for payment.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links 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 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

5) Use identity monitoring tools

Data breaches do not always result in immediate damage. Sometimes, criminals sit on stolen data for months before using it. These services can continuously monitor the dark web for your personal information and notify you if your data appears in new leaks. That gives you time to act before problems snowball.

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 at Cyberguy.com.

6) Know your rights

If you think your data was exposed, companies are legally obligated in most regions to inform you. Do not hesitate to contact them directly and ask for details on what was stolen and what steps they are taking to protect affected customers. The more pressure users apply, the more likely companies are to tighten security practices.

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Kurt’s key takeaway

Attackers can expose your personal data even if you are careful. They gain access to corporate cloud environments and can see customer names, emails, purchase histories and other sensitive details. For users, this means it is crucial to stay vigilant. Criminal groups use this stolen information to launch targeted phishing attacks, open fake accounts, or impersonate you elsewhere. Some even cross-reference leaked Salesforce data with information from previous breaches to build disturbingly complete profiles of their victims.

Should companies face stricter penalties when sensitive customer data is stolen? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Apple has officially launched iOS 26, and with it comes a fresh look and one standout new feature: the Preview app. If you’ve updated your iPhone and noticed a new icon that looks like it belongs on a Mac, you’re not imagining things. Preview has finally arrived on iOS, and it’s more useful than you might think. Many iPhone users have long wanted an easier way to edit, annotate and scan documents without relying on third-party tools. Now, Apple’s built-in Preview app fills that gap, combining features from the Files app, Markup tools and the camera’s document scanner into one streamlined experience.

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What Apple’s Preview app can do

Just like the version on Mac, the Preview app on iPhone lets you handle basic photo edits and PDF changes with ease. You can:

• Open and view PDFs or images directly from your Files app.
• Annotate, draw and highlight content using the familiar markup tools.
• Add text boxes or signatures to forms.
• Crop, resize, or rotate photos.
• Scan documents straight from your camera.

The new Preview app on iPhone makes scanning and signing documents feel effortless. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

When you open the app, you’ll see simple options like New Document or Scan Document. Tap the small Files section at the bottom to browse your phone’s stored content. The interface feels like Apple’s previous screenshot editor, so it’s instantly familiar. You can tap the three-dot menu for advanced tools like background removal, which saves you from downloading extra editing apps. If you open a PDF, Preview automatically detects fillable text boxes and lets you add your signature, perfect for signing forms or agreements on the go.

10 IOS 26 TRICKS THAT HELP YOU GET MORE OUT OF YOUR IPHONE

With built-in markup tools, you can highlight, draw or add your signature in seconds. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How to scan a document using the Preview app

Preview’s built-in scanning tool is one of its best upgrades. It’s fast, accurate and ideal for receipts, contracts, or notes you want to store securely. If you’re already using Notes or Files to scan documents, you’ll find Preview much faster. It centralizes everything, no switching between multiple apps. Here’s how to do it:

• Open the Preview app.
• Tap Scan Documents from the home screen or the plus (+) icon if you’re already viewing another file.
• Point your iPhone camera at the page you want to scan and hold it steady.
• Preview will automatically detect the edges and capture the image.
• After Preview captures the document, it shows a thumbnail.
• If the edges aren’t right or the lighting is poor, tap Retake.
• If you’re satisfied, tap the Blue Check mark in the upper right of the screen. This creates a digital document.

How to save or export your document

After scanning your pages, you can easily save, rename, or share your document directly from the Preview app using these steps.

Save to Files

• Tap the Share button (a square with an arrow) and choose Save to Files. Select where you’d like to store it, such as iCloud Drive > Documents or On My iPhone > Scans, then tap Save.The scan is saved as a PDF file you can access anytime.

Rename the document

• Tap the title at the top of the screen, type a new name such as Receipt-Oct2025.pdf, and tap Done.

Share the document

• From the same Share menu, you can send the PDF by AirDrop, Messages or Mail.

Where to find saved scans later

• Go to the Files app
• Tap Browse
• Then navigate to On My iPhone
• Click Preview
• Tap Scanned (or whichever folder you selected). You can open, mark up, or share the PDF directly from there.

HOW TO SAVE ANY FILE AS A PDF

Quickly find your saved scans in the Files app under Preview, where you can open, edit or share them. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Similar tools for Android and Windows

If you’re on Android or Windows, you can do many of the same things using tools built into those platforms.

How to scan and edit documents on Android

If you’re using an Android phone running Android 6.0 or later, the Google Drive app includes a built-in document scanner powered by Google Play services. Starting in September 2025, Google began rolling out an upgraded scanning experience with sharper previews, smarter cropping and rotation, improved shadow removal and color filters that make your scans look more professional. The update also adds smoother page adjustments and a thumbnail carousel to easily reorder or delete pages before saving.

• Open the Google Drive app on your Android device and make sure it’s updated through the Google Play Store for the latest features.
• Tap the “+” or camera icon, then select Scan from the pop-up menu. Some phones may show a dedicated camera button for this.
• Hold your phone steady so the entire page is visible. Drive automatically detects the edges and captures the document.
• Use the built-in crop, rotate and color filter tools to fine-tune your scan. You can also remove shadows or retake a page if needed.
• Tap Add page to create a multi-page PDF. If your device supports the new AI-powered scanner, Drive may detect and capture pages automatically.
• Review your pages using the thumbnail carousel at the bottom to rearrange or delete any before saving.
• Tap Save, enter a file name, choose your Drive folder and select whether to save as a PDF or JPG.
• Open the saved file in Drive to annotate or highlight text using markup tools like drawing or underlining.
• Share or export the finished document by sending a Drive link, attaching it to an email, or downloading it to another app.

EVEN WITH TRUMP’S TARIFF BLESSING, APPLE HIKES IPHONE PRICES

Use Google Drive’s upgraded scanner on Android to capture, crop and clean up documents in seconds. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How to annotate and sign PDFs on Windows

Microsoft Edge includes a built-in PDF reader that supports inking, highlighting and adding comments or text notes. However, Edge is not a full PDF editor for rewriting text or rearranging pages. You can still draw or sign directly onto a PDF using the Draw/Pen tool, then save your edits. Some recent versions of Edge have limited annotation support, so features may vary. Because of those limitations, many Windows users rely on third-party PDF editors for complete editing control, such as adding text, rearranging pages, or performing OCR. The built-in Snipping Tool remains a quick way to capture and mark up screenshots or documents before saving or sharing. These steps work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 using the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser.

The exact toolbar layout may differ depending on your version.

• Open the Snipping Tool to capture a screenshot or document.
• Choose the capture type: region, freeform, full screen, or window.
• Save your capture as a PNG or JPG, or copy it to your clipboard for quick pasting.
• To edit a PDF instead, open the file directly in Microsoft Edge.
• Right-click the PDF file and select Open with → Microsoft Edge, or drag the file into the Edge window.
• Use the Pen / Draw tool to write, draw, or sign directly on the PDF.
• Highlight text by selecting it and choosing Highlight from the pop-up menu.
• Add notes or comments with Add comment/text note.
• Use the Draw tool again to sign your name, then save your edits.
• Click the Save or Save As icon (the diskette symbol) to store your changes.
• If your annotations don’t appear after saving, choose Print → Save as PDF to permanently embed them.

Best alternative PDF tools for Windows users

If Microsoft Edge doesn’t meet your editing needs, consider these free or paid alternatives that work across different devices:

• PDF24 Creator: A free, highly rated PDF editor designed for Windows. It lets you merge, compress, sign, and convert PDFs without watermarks.
• Xournal++: A popular open-source tool for Windows, macOS and Linux that lets you annotate PDFs with a pen or stylus.
• Foxit PDF Editor: A professional, cross-platform editor with full text editing, signing and OCR tools. It’s available for Windows, macOS, iPhone and Android through the Foxit PDF Editor Mobile app.

These tools give you far more flexibility than Edge if you regularly edit, organize, or sign digital documents across devices.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Apple’s new Preview app in iOS 26 makes editing and scanning documents easier than ever. It brings together familiar tools from Files, Markup and the camera into one place, saving you time and steps. The experience feels seamless, especially if you often switch between your Mac and iPhone. For Android and Windows users, similar built-in tools already offer strong alternatives. Google Drive’s upgraded scan feature and Microsoft Edge’s PDF tools both make it simple to capture, annotate and share files. These options prove that whether you’re on iPhone, Android, or Windows, document management has never been more convenient. In the end, Preview’s arrival on iPhone marks another step toward a unified Apple ecosystem where productivity tools just work. If you’ve ever wished you could scan, sign, or edit a file in seconds, this update delivers.

Do you think Apple’s new Preview app will replace your go-to document editor, or will you keep using third-party tools? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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Road crews may soon get a major assist from artificial intelligence. Researchers at Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute have developed a fabric embedded with sensors and AI algorithms that can monitor road conditions from beneath the surface. This smart material could make costly, disruptive road repairs far more efficient and sustainable.

Right now, most resurfacing decisions are based on visible damage. But cracks and wear in the layers below the asphalt often go undetected until it’s too late. That’s where Fraunhofer’s innovation comes in.

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How AI road sensors work to prevent costly repairs

The system uses a fabric made from flax fibers interwoven with ultra-thin conductive wires. These wires detect minute changes in the asphalt base layer, signaling potential damage before it reaches the surface.

THE ROAD TO PROSPERITY WILL BE PAVED BY AUTONOMOUS TRUCKING

Fraunhofer researchers test AI sensors that detect road damage beneath the surface.  (Fraunhofer Institute)

Once the fabric is laid under the road, it continuously collects data. A connected unit on the roadside stores and transmits this data to an AI system that analyzes it for early warning signs. As vehicles pass over the road, the system measures changes in resistance within the fabric. These changes reveal how the base layer is performing and whether cracks or strain are forming beneath the surface.

Why AI road monitoring matters for future maintenance

Traditional road inspection methods rely on drilling or taking core samples, which are destructive, costly and only provide information for a small section of pavement. This AI-driven system eliminates the need for that kind of invasive testing.

Instead of reacting to surface damage, transportation agencies could predict and prevent deterioration before it becomes expensive to fix. The approach could extend road life, cut down on traffic delays and help governments spend infrastructure funds more efficiently.

ULTRA-THIN SOUND BLOCKER CUTS TRAFFIC NOISE DRAMATICALLY

The smart flax-fiber fabric measures stress changes in asphalt to spot cracks early. (Fraunhofer Institute)

How AI and sensor data predict road damage early

The real power comes from combining AI algorithms with continuous sensor feedback. Fraunhofer’s machine-learning software can forecast how damage will spread, helping engineers prioritize which roads need maintenance first. Data from the sensors is displayed on a web-based dashboard, offering a clear visual of road health for local agencies and planners.

The project, called SenAD2, is currently being tested in an industrial zone in Germany. Early results suggest the system can identify internal damage without disrupting traffic or damaging the road itself.

What this means for you

Smarter road monitoring could lead to fewer potholes, smoother commutes and less taxpayer money wasted on inefficient repairs. If adopted widely, cities could plan maintenance years in advance, avoiding the cycle of patchwork fixes that often make driving a daily headache.

For drivers, it means less time sitting in construction zones. For local governments, it means better roads built on data, not guesswork.

WILL AUTONOMOUS TRUCKS REPLACE DRIVERS BY 2027?

San Francisco Department of Public Works worker Chris Solorzano uses a grading rake to smooth over asphalt as he repairs a pot hole on March 24, 2023, in San Francisco. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Kurt’s key takeaways

This breakthrough shows how AI and materials science are merging to solve real-world infrastructure challenges. While the system won’t make roads indestructible, it can make maintaining them smarter, safer and more sustainable.

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Would you trust AI to decide when and where your city repaves the roads? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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The holidays are supposed to be a season of generosity, family and giving back. For many retirees, October through December is the time to support causes close to their hearts, whether it’s helping veterans, feeding families or donating to disaster relief. But there’s a darker side to this generosity. Scammers know that retirees are among the most generous members of our communities, and they exploit that kindness to line their own pockets.

Millions of dollars are stolen through fake “charities” that pop up just before the holidays. Their calls, letters and emails look legitimate, but the money never reaches those in need. Instead, it funds criminals who are ready to strike again.

Here’s what every retiree (and their loved ones) should know about holiday charity scams and how to protect their money, identity and peace of mind.

HOW RETIREES CAN STOP FAKE DEBT COLLECTOR SCAMS

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Scammers mimic real charities to pressure retirees into quick donations. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why retirees are prime targets for fake charities

Retirees often give more generously than other groups. Scammers know this, and they know how to tailor their pitch.

• Emotional appeals: Fraudsters will mention children, veterans or natural disaster victims to tug at heartstrings.
• Polite persistence: Retirees tend to answer calls and engage longer on the phone, which scammers see as an opportunity.
• Data exposure: Your name, age, phone number and even donation history can already be found online through data brokers. That means scammers don’t need to guess; they target you because they know you’ve donated before.

When you combine generosity with publicly available data, scammers see retirees as the “perfect donors.”

HOW SCAMMERS TARGET YOU EVEN WITHOUT SOCIAL MEDIA

Fake charity red flags

How do you know if a charity request is real or just a scam dressed up for the holidays? Look for these warning signs:

• Pressure to act fast: If a caller insists you donate “right now” or tries to guilt you into giving before you hang up, it’s likely a scam. Real charities welcome donations anytime.
• No details about how money is used: Authentic charities can explain where funds go. Scammers use vague promises like “helping the needy” without specifics.
• Untraceable payment methods: Requests for gift cards, wire transfers or peer-to-peer app transfers (like Venmo or Zelle) are instant red flags.
• Lookalike names: Fraudsters often invent names that sound similar to well-known charities, like “Veterans Hope Relief” or “Children’s Aid International.”
• Caller ID tricks: Scammers can spoof numbers to make it look like they’re calling from a local area code or even a real charity office.

How to safely check a charity before donating

Here’s how to protect yourself while still supporting the causes that matter to you:

• Research the charity’s name: Before donating, search it on sites like Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance at give.org/. If it doesn’t appear there, that’s a red flag.
• Ask for written information: Real organizations will happily mail or email details about their mission, budgets and how donations are used.
• Verify tax-exempt status: Use the IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Search at Irs.gov/charities-and-nonprofits to confirm the charity is legitimate.
• Check how much goes to the cause: Some charities are real but inefficient, spending more on salaries than programs. Make sure your donation actually helps.

REMOVE YOUR DATA TO PROTECT YOUR RETIREMENT FROM SCAMMERS

Protecting your payment details

Even if the charity itself is real, you need to protect how you give:

• Use a credit card rather than a debit card because credit cards offer stronger fraud protection.
• Never give payment info over the phone if you didn’t initiate the call.
• Donate through the charity’s official website instead of clicking links in unsolicited emails.
• Keep records of your donations for tax purposes and to spot anything suspicious later.

The elderly must stay vigilant as holiday charity scams target older donors.  (iStock)

Why removing your data online reduces charity scam calls

Here’s something most people don’t realize: many charity scams start with data brokers. These companies collect your personal details, such as age, phone number, donation history and even religious or political leanings, and sell them to anyone who asks. That means fraudsters can buy a ready-made list of “generous retirees who donate to veterans’ causes” and start calling immediately. The more information out there about you, the more personalized and convincing scam calls become. That’s why removing your data from broker sites is one of the most powerful defenses available to you.

The easy way to do it

Manually contacting hundreds of data brokers is a never-ending task. Each one has its own forms, emails, and hoops to jump through, and many will re-add you months later. That’s where a data removal service comes in. They automatically reach out to data brokers on your behalf, demand the removal of your personal info and keep following up so it doesn’t creep back online.

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.

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HOW SCAMMERS EXPLOIT YOUR DATA FOR ‘PRE-APPROVED’ RETIREMENT SCAMS

Protect your personal information by donating only through verified official websites. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Kurt’s key takeaways

The holidays should be about joy, generosity and giving back, not about lining the pockets of fraudsters. By spotting the red flags of fake charities, double-checking where your money goes and removing your personal information from online databases, you can keep your donations safe and make sure they reach the people who truly need them. Remember: protecting your generosity is just as important as sharing it.

Have you ever been contacted by a fake charity during the holidays? What tipped you off? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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