Happening NOW - Salt Typhoon: What the Biggest Cyberattack in U.S. History Means for Your Privacy

 Because, Cybersecurity Awareness Month is EVERY MONTH!

Happening NOW - Salt Typhoon: What the Biggest Cyberattack in U.S. History Means for Your Privacy


The cybersecurity world is abuzz with news about one of the largest hacking campaigns in U.S. history, nicknamed "Salt Typhoon" by Microsoft. It’s a wake-up call for all of us about how far foreign hackers will go to gain access to our private communications. Here’s what’s going on and what you can do to protect yourself, your family, and your business.

What’s Happening?

Hackers, allegedly connected to the Chinese government, have compromised major U.S. telecommunications providers like AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies. These cybercriminals have gained access to:

  1. Call records (metadata): Who’s calling whom and when, with a focus on Washington, D.C.
  2. Live phone calls: Specific targets had their calls intercepted.
  3. Sensitive telecom systems: This includes tools designed to comply with legal surveillance, which could expose sensitive communications.

Officials, including the FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), are clear: this isn’t just a passing issue—it’s a major breach, and fixing it will take time.

Why Should You Care?

Even though this is a large-scale espionage campaign targeting political and national security interests, it affects all Americans. Why? Our telecommunications systems connect us all. Even if your data wasn’t accessed, vulnerabilities in these systems increase risks for everyone. That’s why experts are urging us to take simple but effective steps to secure our personal communications.

Top Tips to Stay Safe

  1. Use Encrypted Messaging Apps

    • Apps like Signal and WhatsApp automatically encrypt your messages and calls, making it much harder for hackers to intercept your communications. Google Messages and iMessage offer encryption options, too.
    • Encryption scrambles your data so even if it’s intercepted, it’s unreadable.

  2. Keep Your Devices Updated

    • Hackers often exploit outdated software. Enable automatic updates on your phone, apps, and computer to ensure you’re always running the latest, most secure versions.

  3. Enable Strong Security on Your Accounts

    • Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible. This adds a layer of protection beyond just your password, like a one-time code sent to your phone.

  4. Be Skeptical of Links and Attachments

    • Don’t click on suspicious links in texts, emails, or social media messages—even if they appear to come from someone you know. Hackers often use phishing to trick people into giving up personal information.

  5. Choose a Secure Phone

    • If you’re shopping for a new phone, consider one that gets timely operating system updates and offers built-in encryption. This ensures your device is ready to handle the latest threats.

  6. Be Mindful of What You Share

    • Avoid oversharing sensitive information online or over the phone, especially on unsecured platforms. Hackers often exploit such data.

Why Encryption Matters

Encryption is a powerful tool that can safeguard your privacy. Think of it as sending a locked box: even if someone intercepts it, they can’t open it without the key. Government agencies like the FBI and CISA are now recommending encryption as a standard for anyone concerned about privacy and security.

Popular apps like Signal and WhatsApp are great starting points. They’re free, easy to use, and secure both your messages and voice calls with end-to-end encryption.

A Message from the Experts

Jeff Greene from CISA summed it up well: “Encryption is your friend. Even if the adversary intercepts the data, encryption makes it impossible to read.”

The FBI echoed this advice, urging Americans to adopt good cybersecurity habits like encrypted communication and strong, phishing-resistant authentication methods.

How Montana Can Stay Ahead

Here in Montana, we take pride in our independence and community spirit. These principles should extend to how we protect ourselves online. Cybersecurity isn’t just a “big city” problem—it’s something that affects all of us, from small businesses in Bozeman to ranchers in Billings.

By adopting these practices, we can create a ripple effect of awareness and resilience across our state. Share these tips with your neighbors, family, and coworkers—because when it comes to cybersecurity, we’re all in this together.

Stay safe and secure, Montana. Let’s show the world that we’re not just Big Sky Country—we’re also smart, vigilant, and ready to tackle digital threats.

For more details, check out the full NBC article here and the official government guide here.
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