In 2024, a nine-month covert intrusion by Salt Typhoon, a Chinese state-backed group, compromised the U.S. Army National Guard's network. This breach resulted in the theft of critical network configurations, admin credentials, and personal details of service members. As the dust settles, many are left wondering if their data was exposed, what the implications are, and how to protect themselves moving forward.
What datapoints were leaked?
The National Guard network breach in 2024 exposed a mix of sensitive information that’s hard to overlook. Here’s what was taken:
1. Network Configurations
What was stolen: Detailed blueprints of how the Army National Guard’s digital systems are set up.
Why it matters: These files reveal how data moves, where security gaps might exist, and which systems are most vulnerable. Hackers with this map can find weak spots or reroute attacks with less effort.
2. Admin Credentials
What was stolen: Usernames and passwords of network administrators.
Why it matters: With these credentials, attackers can gain high-level access, change system settings, create backdoors, and potentially lock out legitimate users. It’s the digital equivalent of handing over the master keys to the building.
Why it matters: Personal data opens the door to identity theft, financial fraud, phishing attacks, and even targeted threats to individuals or their families. If your data is part of this breach, your risk level just went up.
How Can Stolen Data Be Exploited?
Network configurations can help hackers break in again or attack other government networks.
Admin credentials might be used for further infiltration or to plant malware.
Personal details are a goldmine for criminals planning scams, phishing, or impersonation.
Every stolen datapoint can be pieced together, turning a security incident into a personal nightmare for those affected. Stay with us as we break down what this means for you and what steps you should consider next.
Should you be worried?
When a breach like the National Guard Network incident hits the news, it's normal to wonder: "Am I at risk?" The short answer—yes, you should be alert, but let's break down why, and what it really means for you.
What Are the Real Risks?
Hackers don’t steal data just for kicks. They’re usually after one of three things: money, leverage, or chaos. Here’s what that could look like for anyone whose personal information was swept up in this breach:
Identity Theft: The most immediate threat. Stolen personal details can be used to open fraudulent accounts, apply for loans, or even commit crimes using your identity.
Phishing Attacks: With access to email addresses or phone numbers, attackers can craft convincing messages that trick you into handing over even more sensitive info.
Targeted Scams: If the leak included employment or military service details, scammers could pretend to be from trusted organizations, making their cons much more believable.
Reputational Harm: Leaked sensitive or private information can be used to embarrass or blackmail individuals.
How Might Stolen Data Be Used?
Attackers don’t always use stolen data right away. Sometimes, it’s sold on the dark web. Other times, it sits until it can be matched with data from another breach for a more detailed profile. Here’s how your data might be used:
1. Credential Stuffing: If passwords were involved, hackers will try them on every account they can—banking, email, social media.
2. Social Engineering: Combining details like your job, location, or family names, attackers make phishing attempts nearly impossible to spot.
3. Long-term Tracking: Sometimes, data is used to build a long-term profile, waiting for a moment when it can do the most harm.
How Likely Is Misuse?
It depends on what was actually stolen. If the breach included Social Security numbers, addresses, and employment details, the risk jumps significantly. If only names and email addresses leaked, the threat is lower—but not zero. Attackers are patient and creative. Even small pieces of information can be pieced together for larger schemes.
High-value targets (military, government, or law enforcement) are especially at risk of sophisticated attacks.
Everyday individuals might see an uptick in spam, phishing emails, or suspicious account activity.
Be skeptical of unexpected emails or texts, especially those asking for personal details.
Companies like Cloaked can help by allowing users to create virtual identities and secure contact info, making it much harder for hackers to tie stolen data back to your real identity. If you’re worried about privacy, exploring services that shield your personal details is a smart next step.
Staying aware and taking action is your best defense. Don't wait until you see weird charges or strange emails—proactive steps go a long way.
What should be your next steps?
When your personal information is exposed in a breach, panic is a natural first reaction. But acting quickly—and smartly—can make all the difference. Here’s a clear plan to help you regain control and shield your information from further misuse.
1. Change Your Passwords Immediately
Start with affected accounts: If you have an account linked to the compromised network, update your password right away.
Use strong, unique passwords: Each account needs its own complex password. Think phrases, numbers, and symbols—avoid anything obvious.
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): This adds an extra barrier, requiring a code or approval from another device.
2. Monitor Your Accounts Closely
Bank and credit accounts: Scan your transactions daily. Look out for charges you don’t recognize.
Email and social media: Watch for unexpected login alerts or password reset emails.
Credit reports: Check for new accounts or activity you didn’t initiate.
3. Be On Guard for Phishing Attempts
Don’t click suspicious links: Attackers may use your leaked info to craft convincing emails or texts.
Double-check senders: If a message looks off—even if it uses your name—verify its source before responding.
4. Lock Down Your Sensitive Data
Remove unnecessary personal information: Delete old accounts and limit the data you share online.
Update privacy settings: Make your social media profiles private and review who can see your posts.
5. Consider Advanced Privacy Tools
If you want to go a step further in protecting your digital identity, tools like Cloaked can help. Cloaked lets you generate masked emails, phone numbers, and credit card info—so even if one gets exposed, your real details stay safe. This is especially valuable after a breach, when your original data might already be circulating.
6. Stay Informed
Sign up for breach alerts: Services are available to notify you if your data appears in future leaks.
Educate yourself and your family: Share these steps—security is a team effort.
Taking these actions doesn’t just protect you right now—it helps build habits that make you harder to target in the future. Stay alert, act quickly, and don’t give attackers an easy win.
Cloaked FAQs Accordion
Frequently Asked Questions
Cloaked is a privacy-first tool that lets you create secure aliases for emails, phone numbers, and more—shielding your real identity online. With Cloaked, your personal info stays protected from breaches, scams, and tracking.
Look for urgent messages, unfamiliar links, or strange sender addresses. With Cloaked aliases, it’s easier to identify which site may have leaked your contact details and ignore suspicious communications.
Yes. If a Cloaked alias starts receiving spam, you can pause, delete, or rotate it. This eliminates the need to change your real email or phone number.
They do different jobs. VPNs protect browsing. Password managers secure logins. Cloaked protects your real identity at the contact level—emails, phones, and personal identifiers.
Definitely. Use Cloaked aliases to avoid spam and limit exposure to companies that may mishandle or leak your data.
At Cloaked, we believe the best way to protect your personal information is to keep it private before it ever gets out. That’s why we help you remove your data from people-search sites that expose your home address, phone number, SSN, and other personal details. And to keep your info private going forward, Cloaked lets you create unique, secure emails and phone numbers with one click - so you sign up for new experiences without giving away your real info. With Cloaked, your privacy isn’t a setting - it’s the default. Take back control of your personal data with thousands of Cloaked users.
*Disclaimer: You agree not to use any aspect of the Cloaked Services for FCRA purposes.
