Cybercriminals hit Qantas in a major data breach that exposed information from up to six million customers. Airline data breaches are on the rise, putting millions of travelers at risk. The Qantas incident underscores how vulnerable personal information can be. The FBI recently warned that a hacking group called Scattered Spider is actively targeting airlines and the transportation sector. So, what should you do if your data was compromised, and how can you protect yourself moving forward?

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.

Qantas aircraft on the runway. (Qantas)

What happened in the Qantas data breach?

On June 30, 2025, Qantas found unusual activity on a third-party customer service platform. Hackers broke into this system and took personal information, such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, and frequent flyer numbers.

Qantas confirmed that hackers did not access credit card details, financial information, or passport data. The airline quickly stopped the breach and began telling affected customers. We reached out to Qantas for comment. They referred us to their official update, which says the system remains secure. No one compromised frequent flyer accounts or passwords. Qantas also reports no further threat activity. The airline is working with cybersecurity experts and government authorities to investigate. They have added new security measures to protect customer data and frequent flyer accounts.

Qantas app on a smartphone. (Qantas)

Why this Qantas data breach matters for travelers now

The timing is alarming. Just days before the breach, the FBI warned that Scattered Spider, a hacking group known for its social engineering and ransomware tactics, was targeting airlines. This group has been linked to attacks on Hawaiian Airlines and WestJet.

Chris Borkenhagen, a seasoned cybersecurity leader who serves as CISO & Chief Digital Officer at AuthenticID and brings over two decades of experience protecting digital identities, explains:

“Even partial personal data like names, contact details, birthdates, and loyalty account numbers can be weaponized by cybercriminals. Affected consumers should immediately update passwords, especially if reused elsewhere, and enable multi-factor authentication.”

Qantas aircraft at a gate at an airport. (Qantas)

Why airline data is valuable to hackers

Airline data is highly valuable to hackers because, even without financial details, airlines collect a wealth of personal information that criminals can exploit. Hackers can use this data to hijack loyalty accounts and steal points or miles, create fake identities for fraudulent activities, and launch highly convincing phishing campaigns that target both travelers and employees. Airline breaches are especially dangerous since they often involve a combination of personal, behavioral, and contextual data, which enables cybercriminals to carry out targeted attacks with greater effectiveness.

Qantas aircraft at a gate at the airport. (Qantas)

Signs your data is being misused after a data breach

Watch for these red flags after a breach:

• Suspicious messages referencing your frequent flyer account
• Unexplained changes to airline or loyalty program settings
• Notifications about credit applications you did not initiate
• Sudden drops in your credit score

“Cybercriminals act fast after breaches, using personal details to impersonate victims or extract more data. Investigate any unusual activity immediately,” warns Borkenhagen.

What to do if you’re affected by the Qantas data breach

If Qantas notifies you that your data was compromised, act immediately: 

1) Update passwords

Change passwords on your airline account and any other accounts using the same credentials. Use strong, unique passwords. Consider using a password manager, which securely stores and generates complex passwords, reducing the risk of password reuse. 

Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com/Passwords.

2) Enable Multi-factor authentication 

Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible, especially on travel, email, and financial accounts.

3) Monitor accounts

Watch your loyalty program and financial accounts for any unusual activity. 

4) Use an identity theft protection service

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.  One of the best parts of my #1 pick is that they have identity theft insurance of up to 1 million dollars to cover losses and legal fees and a white glove fraud resolution team where a US-based case manager helps you recover any losses.

See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com/IdentityTheft. 

5) Stay alert for phishing scams and use strong antivirus software

Watch out for phishing attempts, as scammers may use stolen data to craft convincing messages. Don’t click on any links or download attachments from suspicious emails or texts-instead, verify the sender’s identity by contacting the company directly through their official website or app. Using up-to-date antivirus software can also help detect and block malicious content before it can do harm.

For the best antivirus protection in 2025, visit CyberGuy.com/LockUpYourTech. 

6) Remove your data from risky sites

Consider using a personal data removal service to help limit how much of your information is exposed online. Reducing your digital footprint makes it harder for cybercriminals to find and exploit your personal details.

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/Delete

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com/FreeScan. 

Kurt’s key takeaways

As we’ve seen, airline data breaches, such as the recent Qantas incident, are no longer rare; they’re a growing reality for travelers everywhere. While Qantas acted quickly to contain the breach and safeguard sensitive data, this event is a reminder that cybercriminals are always looking for new ways to exploit personal information. By taking proactive steps, such as updating your passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and keeping an eye out for suspicious activity, you can reduce your risk and protect your identity. Don’t wait for the next headline to take action; start securing your accounts and digital footprint today.

Should airlines face stricter legal standards for data protection? Who should enforce these? Let us know by writing 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.

Central Texas is still reeling from those devastating floods that claimed more than 100 lives and left dozens missing. Torrential rains caused the Guadalupe River to rise nearly 30 feet in under an hour, overwhelming communities and emergency responders, and catching many off guard.

Despite some warnings, many residents reported receiving little to no advance notice, highlighting critical gaps in alert systems during life-threatening weather events.

In response to criticisms about the National Weather Service’s advanced alert system during this disaster, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) publicly backed the NWS, emphasizing the importance of robust and timely severe weather alerts.

This tragedy underscores the importance of having reliable, loud, and timely emergency alerts on your phone or device because when severe weather strikes, every second counts.

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.

Flooding caused by severe weather. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why your phone may not alert you to severe weather

Many phones only notify you of emergency alerts if you have them enabled. Some devices might silence or limit these warnings, especially if your phone has been previous adjusted to omit overbearing government and Amber alerts. This can be dangerous during flash floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, or other severe weather events when every second counts.

How to enable severe weather alerts on iPhone

To make sure you don’t miss critical warnings, follow these simple steps:

Set location access for Weather App

• Go to Settings.
• Click Privacy & Security.
• Tap Location Services.
• Scroll down and tap Weather.
• Select Always to allow the app to access your location continuously.
• Enable Precise Location for the most accurate alerts.

Enable Weather App notifications

• Go to Settings.
• Click Notifications.
• Scroll down and tap Weather.
• Toggle Allow Notifications on.
• Enable Time Sensitive Notifications to ensure alerts break through Focus modes or Do Not Disturb.
• Optionally, toggle Announce Notifications if you want Siri to read alerts aloud.

Turn on severe weather alerts inside the built-in Weather App

• Open the Weather app that came with your iPhone on your home screen.
• Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right.
• Tap the three-dot icon (ellipsis) in the upper right corner and select Notifications.
• Scroll down and tap Allow.
• It will ask you to confirm your decision by clicking Allow again.
• Toggle on Severe Weather Alerts and Next-Hour Precipitation Alerts for your current location and any saved locations.
• Confirm any permission prompts to allow notifications by clicking Done in the upper right-hand corner.

Enable Government Emergency Alerts (for all emergency warnings)

• Go to Settings.
• Click Notifications.
• Scroll to the bottom section, where it says ‘Government Alerts’.
• Make sure Emergency Alerts and Public Safety Alerts are enabled.

How to enable severe weather alerts on Android

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.

• Navigate to Settings.
• Tap Safety & Emergency.
• Click Wireless Emergency Alerts.
• Enable Allow Alerts.
• Enable Severe threats, Extreme threats, and Public safety messages.

Make sure your phone is updated to the latest software version for full compatibility.

Note: Emergency alerts are designed to override Do Not Disturb or Silent mode, but this may not work on every device, and you must be within range of a cellular or network connection for you to receive a warning.

If you are not receiving alerts, check your carrier, ensure you are connected to a cellular network, and consider using a third-party app for redundancy.

Severe weather. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Top apps that provide loud, severe weather alerts

If you want extra assurance beyond default phone alerts, consider these apps: 

Storm Shield

The Storm Shield app is available for both iPhone (iOS) and Android devices. It provides storm-based alerts, including tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, thunderstorms, and winter storms, through voice and push notifications that can wake your device even if it is locked or on silent. The app uses location-based alerts to reduce false alarms by notifying you only when severe weather impacts your exact location within a county. 

American Red Cross Emergency app

Another excellent option is the American Red Cross Emergency app, available for both iPhone and Android devices. This app allows you to customize NOAA alerts for a wide range of hazards, including tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes. You can set unique alert sounds for different types of emergencies and choose which locations you want to monitor, making it perfect for keeping tabs on loved ones or property in various places. However, keep in mind that while this app provides timely notifications, it may not always override Do Not Disturb mode in the same way that Wireless Emergency Alerts can.

Tornado and severe lightning. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why a separate NOAA Weather Radio is still essential

NOAA Weather Radio is a nationwide network of radio stations operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It continuously broadcasts official weather information and emergency alerts directly from the National Weather Service. These broadcasts provide vital, real-time warnings about severe weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and other natural disasters. These work even if your cellular connection goes down or your phone fails to emit a warning.

To receive these alerts clearly and loudly, a dedicated NOAA Weather Radio device is essential. One highly recommended option is the Raynic Emergency Weather Radio. This portable, multi-functional device tunes into all seven NOAA weather channels and automatically announces loud alerts when threatening weather conditions arise. It features multiple power sources, including solar panels, a hand crank, USB charging, and batteries, ensuring it stays powered even during extended outages.

The Raynic radio also offers AM, FM, and shortwave bands, a 5000mAh rechargeable battery that can charge your cell phone, a bright flashlight, a reading lamp, an SOS siren, and a headphone jack for private listening. Its compact, durable, and water-resistant design makes it ideal for both home use and outdoor emergencies. No matter which NOAA radio brand you pick, make sure you follow the directions so that it will automatically turn on for a severe weather warning and that the volume is cranked up.

By combining the NOAA Weather Radio broadcast system with a reliable device like the Raynic Emergency Radio, you ensure you receive timely, loud, and clear severe weather emergency alerts no matter where you are or what power sources are available.

Kurt’s key takeaways

The tragic floods in Texas remind us that severe weather can strike suddenly and with deadly force. Don’t rely solely on chance; take control of your safety by enabling emergency alerts and using trusted apps. Consider adding a NOAA Weather Radio to your emergency kit.

What steps have you taken to ensure you receive loud and timely severe weather alerts? 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.

Was it a coffee lover or hater who came up with this innovative idea? What if your morning coffee could help build the next generation of eco-friendly homes? That’s exactly what researchers in Australia are doing: turning leftover coffee grounds into bricks. These bricks from recycled coffee grounds aren’t just a quirky experiment. They’re strong, sustainable, and could seriously cut down on construction emissions and costs. Here’s how your daily brew is becoming the foundation for greener buildings.

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.

Firing bricks made from coffee waste. (Swinburne University)

Bricks from recycled coffee grounds are cheaper and greener to make

At Swinburne University of Technology, researchers found a creative way to cut both construction emissions and material costs by making bricks from recycled coffee grounds. Instead of letting all that coffee waste go to landfills, they partnered with local coffee shops to collect spent grounds straight from espresso machines. Then, by blending the coffee waste with natural clay and an alkali activator, they developed a recipe for low-emission bricks that are not only more sustainable but also faster and cheaper to produce than traditional clay ones.

Coffee grounds from an espresso machine. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why bricks from recycled coffee grounds are a smarter use of waste

Coffee is the world’s second most popular beverage, beaten only by tea. As such, there are approximately two and a quarter billion cups of coffee consumed daily. If you average out the espressos, cappuccinos, and americanos, then each cup brews using roughly eleven grams of freshly ground coffee. However, that leads to over nine million tonnes of coffee bean grounds. In turn, this generates an estimated eighteen million tonnes of damp, burnt byproduct dumped into landfills every single year. So, there is an abundance of supply, but how can coffee grounds be more efficient than traditional clay bricks?

How bricks from recycled coffee grounds cut construction costs

This innovative method of using spent coffee grounds drastically reduces the energy needed to mold bricks. Even low-quality traditional clay bricks must be baked in a kiln at over 900 degrees Celsius. These new coffee bricks only need to be cooked at 200 degrees Celsius. That’s an 80 percent reduction in energy usage, meaning that these bricks are significantly more efficient for both the environment and manufacturing costs.

The lead scientist, Dr. Wong, claimed, “It’s lighter on energy, faster to produce, and designed to reduce electricity-related CO₂ emissions by up to 80 percent per unit.”

Not only are the manufacturing costs lower, but experts claim these coffee bricks are remarkably durable. According to Green Brick, they double “the Australian minimum standard for strength.”

Analysis of spent coffee grounds. (Swinburne University)

Bricks from recycled coffee grounds offer sustainable building solutions

In June, Swinburne University of Technology took a major step forward by signing an IP licensing deal with Australian company Green Brick. This partnership paves the way for using bricks made from recycled coffee grounds in real-world construction projects. Green Brick founder Philip Ng explained, “For the last century, materials have been judged by one thing: cost per square meter. But in the next chapter, we’ll judge them by carbon, transparency, and circularity, and those metrics favor a new product.”

While Swinburne’s team is transforming coffee waste, others around the world are exploring similar paths. In London, a group of researchers has developed “sugarcrete,” a bio-brick made from sugarcane waste. As these kinds of innovations gain traction, recycled organic materials are starting to look like a practical and scalable alternative for the construction industry.

Kurt’s key takeaways

It turns out your coffee habit might be more powerful than you think, not just for waking you up, but for building a cleaner future. Bricks from recycled coffee grounds are a creative solution to two big problems: construction pollution and coffee waste. As more researchers and companies get behind ideas like this, the future of sustainable building is looking a lot more grounded and a little more caffeinated.

Would you live in a home built from recycled materials like coffee grounds or sugarcane waste? Why or why not? 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.