Salesforce Breach: What the Google Hack Means for Your Data (June-August 2025)

Hackers recently compromised one of Google’s Salesforce databases, exposing sensitive data from small and medium-sized businesses. The attackers used a maliciously modified Salesforce app to carry out their campaign, raising concerns not just about corporate cybersecurity but also the broader risks posed by social engineering attacks.

Social Engineering: How the Google Breach Happened

Social engineering is a form of manipulation where attackers exploit human behavior instead of technical flaws. Rather than hacking systems directly, they trick individuals into giving up sensitive information, clicking malicious links, or installing harmful software. This often involves tactics like phishing emails, fake login pages, or voice calls that appear legitimate. The goal is to gain access by exploiting trust, curiosity, or fear – not code.

These attacks are especially dangerous because they target people, not firewalls. Even the most secure systems can be compromised if someone unknowingly opens the wrong door. That’s why awareness and a clean digital footprint are essential parts of modern cybersecurity.

How hackers socially engineered a vulnerability through Google staff

According to Reuters, a cybercriminal group identified as UNC6040 (or ShinyHunters) tricked employees into installing a tampered version of Salesforce’s Data Loader. This tool is normally used to bulk-import customer data, but the altered version allowed attackers to exfiltrate sensitive company information and move laterally through corporate networks.

Employees were contacted via voice phishing calls (or vishing) and directed to a fake setup page. Once the app was installed, it granted attackers deep access to cloud systems and internal corporate environments.

This attack was especially damaging because it relied not on a flaw in Salesforce’s platform but on social engineering – manipulating people into bypassing standard security protocols.

Why the August 2025 Google Hack should matter to you

Google’s own internal databases were affected, showing that even the most technically advanced companies remain vulnerable to well-executed social engineering. Salesforce claims the issue didn’t stem from a vulnerability in their system, but from user error and lack of awareness. That makes this attack particularly alarming.

It’s not just about breached emails or passwords. Once inside, attackers gained the ability to access interconnected platforms, elevate privileges, and demand ransom or publish stolen information. The breached organizations included multiple companies across Europe and the Americas. This was not a random attack. It was targeted, coordinated, and designed for maximum damage.

What You Can Learn from the 2025 Google hack

1. Social engineering is still the weakest link. Most companies focus on technical safeguards, but overlook employee training. A simple call or fake setup page can open the door to large-scale compromise.
2. You don’t need to be Google to be targeted. Small and medium businesses were among the affected. Hackers are opportunistic and often go after the companies with weaker defenses. As the cost to run social engineering and vishing campaigns continues to be reduces, the likelihood you or your business is targeted will continually increase.
3. Modified third-party tools are risky. Always verify the source of any tool or plugin, even if it appears familiar or endorsed by your team.

How your digital footprint makes you vulnerable to social engineering

At Redact, we’ve long warned about the growing use of social media, public content, and user behavior data in attacks like these. When attackers want to impersonate you, build phishing scenarios, or figure out which employee to target, your public digital footprint is their blueprint.

If you’re a business owner, employee, or just an internet user, it’s worth taking a few minutes to clean up old posts, public contact information, and anything that might make you a target. Our previous blogs on social engineering regarding LinkedIn and Twitter outline how attackers weaponize your content – and how Redact can help you reduce your exposure.

Conclusion

This breach proves that data security is no longer just about firewalls and passwords. It’s about the human layer too. And your publicly available information – on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook – can be a liability if left unchecked.

You may not be able to stop hackers from breaching Google, but you can make yourself a harder target.

Use Redact.dev now, for free.