Category: security

Prevention of cyber security risks while using ChatGPT

| By Shirin

Artificial intelligence is woven into every aspect of our lives – from Siri to facial recognition software for unlocking phones. Technology was built to simplify life and create a better future for us all, and we haven’t shied away from it. These innovations don’t come without risks, though. A recent advancement has been the advent of AI chatbots – most notably ChatGPT.

With ChatGPT, users can interact with a chatbot that can generate conversations that sound almost like real humans. This has led to concerns about privacy, as the conversations can be monitored and recorded. Additionally, some have raised questions about the ethical implications of using AI to create conversations that mimic real human interactions. This might blur the line between reality and deception.

 Additionally, there are cybersecurity risks associated with ChatGPT. As the technology is relatively new, it is difficult to ensure that the conversation data is secure. ChatGPT may also be vulnerable to malicious actors who could use it to access users’ personal data.

Cybersecurity is a crucial aspect of our daily lives, especially in this digital age where the use of technology is becoming increasingly prevalent. The widespread use of AI technologies like chatbots has made our lives easier but has also increased the risks of cyber attacks. With chatbots like ChatGPT becoming increasingly popular, it is essential to take steps to prevent cybersecurity risks. In this blog, we will discuss various ways to prevent cybersecurity risks while using chatbots like ChatGPT.

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is a language model developed by OpenAI. It is a conversational AI tool that uses deep learning algorithms to understand and generate human-like text. ChatGPT is trained on vast amounts of text data and can generate responses to a wide range of questions and prompts.

The model is designed to be highly flexible and can be used in a variety of applications, including customer service, virtual assistants, and chatbots. ChatGPT is capable of understanding natural language and can generate responses in a conversational and human-like manner.

In short, ChatGPT is a cutting-edge AI technology that has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with technology and carry out everyday tasks.

How the data can be stolen from a ChatGPT?

Data stored in a ChatGPT system, or any associated systems, can be stolen in several ways, including

1. Hacking

Hacking is a common method used to steal data from ChatGPT systems. This can involve exploiting vulnerabilities in the system, such as unpatched software, weak passwords, or poor access control measures, to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.

2. Malware

Malware, such as viruses, Trojans, and ransomware, can infect ChatGPT systems and steal sensitive information. This can include personal data, financial information, and other confidential information.

3. Social Engineering

Social engineering is a tactic used by cyber criminals to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or other login credentials. This can include phishing attacks, where the attacker poses as a trusted entity, such as a bank or government agency, to trick the individual into revealing sensitive information.

4. Insiders

Insiders, such as employees or contractors, may steal data from a ChatGPT system if they have access to sensitive information. This can include stealing confidential information for personal gain or selling it to third parties.

5. Physical Attacks

Physical attacks, such as theft of computer equipment or tampering with servers, can result in the theft of data stored in a ChatGPT system. This is especially a concern for organizations that store sensitive information in physical locations, such as data centers.

It is important to note that data stored in a ChatGPT system is only as secure as the systems and networks it is connected to. To protect against data theft, organizations, and individuals should implement strong security measures, such as:

I. Use Secure Communication Channels

When using ChatGPT, it is important to use secure communication channels to prevent cyber attacks and protect sensitive information. This can include using encrypted communication protocols, such as HTTPS, and implementing secure communication technologies, such as VPNs.

II. Regularly Update Software

Regularly updating software is important in protecting against cyber attacks and fixing vulnerabilities. This includes updating the ChatGPT software and any other associated software, such as operating systems and browsers.

III. Use Strong Passwords

Using strong passwords is crucial in protecting against cyber attacks and unauthorized access to ChatGPT and associated systems. This includes using unique passwords for each account and implementing two-factor authentication.

IV. Be Careful When Sharing Personal Information

Be careful when sharing personal information with ChatGPT or any other online entity. Avoid providing sensitive information, such as financial information or login credentials, unless it is necessary and you are confident in the security of the communication channel.

V. Educate Yourself on Safe Browsing Practices

Educate yourself on safe browsing practices to prevent falling victim to phishing attacks and other forms of social engineering. This includes being cautious of emails or links from unknown sources and avoiding clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown software.

VI. Keep Antivirus Software and Firewalls Up to Date

Keeping antivirus software and firewalls up to date is important in protecting against malware and unauthorized access. Antivirus software helps to detect and prevent the spread of malware, while firewalls act as a barrier between your device and the internet, blocking unauthorized access.

The last piece of the puzzle

In conclusion, safeguarding yourself against cyber threats while utilizing ChatGPT is crucial for keeping your digital world secure. With a few simple steps explained above, you can drastically decrease the risk of falling victim to cybercrime. Don’t let the convenience of chatbots come at the cost of your personal information. Embrace the power of technology and stay protected with ChatGPT. Make sure to implement these security measures and enjoy the limitless possibilities of the digital realm with complete peace of mind.

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Believing Security Hype & Why I Thought It Was Noise

| By Shirin

I am not proud to admit that I used to put security into place to satisfy an audit. It took me time to learn that security is the foundation of any system. What I thought was security hype was really the need to increase cyber security awareness. Let me start with a story…

Early Corporate Days

I worked at a global 100 firm after having worked for a much smaller and more nimble firm for years. I think I associated security with:

  • changing my password every 3 months.
  • having no password management tools (like 1password)
  • not being allowed to check personal email
  • my removal from all internal systems each year and having to have my manager approve access to each one individually.
  • Slow VPN access for a job I traveled a lot for
  • generally slow and outdated (and ugly ?) enterprise software
hindsight and security hype

Hindsight is 2020

I realize that a single breach would have tarnished the reputation of this firm to the point of ending our business unit. This explains why they implemented every level of security possible. Perhaps if our security team better communicated to us what they faced daily, we would have been far more open to working through all these extra layers.

I am not a psychologist but here goes…

Another reason for my hesitation is that being a technical person, it would be harder to fool me with a phishing attack. This is of course unreasonable as there are scores of employees that provide essential services to an organization outside of the IT department.

Perhaps it’s human nature to resist anything that is overwhelmingly being promoted or pushed EVEN if makes totally sense. Perhaps we feel it’s an attack on our individuality and we have this desire to remain independent and unique.

SO… When security breaches went from website defacements to a profitable enterprise, I had these same feelings of security come up although we were always careful in our security implementations. For certain these steps were used as sales and marketing points in our pitches.

Cyber security awareness is not noise
Cyber security awareness is not noise

When I Realized It Wasn’t “Security Hype”


So, that’s why I thought it was noise before… and as irrational as my resistance was, here’s the set of circumstances that snapped me out of my “security hype” belief:

Security hype in a small town is needed
Not my small town but pretty close…Security hype in a small town is needed

I am not the Sheriff but I speak zoning…

I serve as a volunteer for planning commission in my home town. With this role, I have a city email address as well. I recently got an email from someone phishing who tried to convince me he was our Mayor and needed me to buy gift cards for some strange reason.

Cyber security friends tell me to expect a breach eventually even with great security. This really nullifies my original believe there is a lot of noise in the security space. The good news is building cyber security awareness is a great first step and I see it everywhere.

Security Hype

Final Words

I was put into a month long bootcamp at my first technology job. One of the most important aspects was online security. We learned that weblogs could reveal the last page you were on using HTTP REFERRER. Using that information, a poorly formed URL structure could give away critical data such as an intranet location with a clients name or a future acquisition list for the firm we worked for. We need to go back to bootcamps and periodic training if we are to protect our organizations.

If you’d like to learn more about cyber security awareness and strategy, check out our managed security services page.