Hackers Using AI Like ChatGPT, Says Microsoft And OpenAI
Some companies are saying that hackers are starting to use large language models like ChatGPT to improve cyberattacks. They are being used to help with things like research, scripting, and phishing emails. Microsoft, in collaboration with OpenAI, revealed that they have detected attempts by Russian, North Korean, Iranian, and Chinese-backed groups using tools like ChatGPT for research.
“Cybercrime groups, nation-state threat actors, and other adversaries are exploring and testing different AI technologies as they emerge, in an attempt to understand potential value to their operations and the security controls they may need to circumvent,” said Microsoft in a blog post. The companies did not say which OpenAI technology was used.
Using AI to generate cyber attacks.
New York Times reported that instead of using AI to generate “exotic attacks,” the hackers have used it in “mundane ways” like drafting emails, translating documents, and debugging computer code. Recently the New York Times has sued OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement of news content related to AI systems.
It’s worth mentioning that Microsoft and OpenAI haven’t detected any “significant attacks” using large language models yet. Microsoft and OpenAI said they have taken measures to “disrupt assets” and accounts associated with threat actors, improve OpenAI tech protection, and shape guardrails. Last month, the National Security Agency warned that hackers are using AI to make their phishing emails look more convincing.
Additionally, the company is warning that future uses like voice impersonation. “AI-powered fraud is another critical concern. Voice synthesis is an example of this, where a three-second voice sample can train a model to sound like anyone,” said Microsoft. “Even something as innocuous as your voicemail greeting can be used to get a sufficient sampling.”
Microsoft’s solution to AI attacks is using AI to respond. They are building a new AI assistant Security Copilot. It’s designed for cybersecurity professionals to identify breaches and better understand the signals and data that are generated through cybersecurity tools every day.
Vintage Gadgets: Outdated Tech That Still Sparks Joy
A Physical Calculator
You probably haven’t seen a calculator in ages, but a Reddit user chimed in to say that, for them, the old-school scientific calculator beats the one on your phone or any app. They simply put it like this, “Honestly, a standard scientific calculator is just easier to use than your phone’s built-in scientific calculator.” It could be the fun button-tapping sound or the nostalgic thrill of typing in cheeky words with numbers that makes this person prefer calculators.
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Watches That Only Tell The Time
Smartwatches may pack in loads of features, but there’s a catch – they need regular charging and maintenance, and their battery life is shorter. On the flip side, traditional watches are a low-maintenance choice with longer battery life. In fact, a Redditor mentioned they still rock a “a lovely, inexpensive, bombproof, analog, big face Casio.” They also pointed out that smartwatches aren’t allowed at their job, so their trusty Casio gets the job done.
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CD Player, MP3 Player, and Vinyl Albums
If you’ve put a ton of effort into collecting CDs and vinyl records, and creating some killer playlists, why ditch them, right? One person told their story about growing up in the ’90s, building a massive CD collection, and stashing them all in one of those Case Logic CD binders. They fondly shared, “I still keep it with me in my car and it’s a wonderful trip down memory lane every time I open it. I laughed and cried a little when my kids friend asked me what it was and I said, ‘CDs’ and they followed up with, ‘What’s that?'” But also: not everything is available on streaming services. That obscure soundtrack or tribute album from the ’80s? Licensing issues may have prevented it from hitting the streamers. Love Joni Mitchell? Well, Spotify doesn’t have her catalog. Sure, you can subscribe to another service, but if you kept your old vinyl and have a turntable, you can listen to it the old school way.
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"I Love Wires"
You have people who can’t stand a tangle of wires in their tech setup, and then there’s that Reddit user who’s all about the wired life. They firmly believe that wired networking is “not obsolete or outdated.” According to them, it’s superior in every aspect, except for the mobility it lacks compared to wireless. They put it simply, “Wired is the ideal, you only go wireless if running cable is unfeasible for the situation.
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A Regular Doorbell
A regular doorbell does its job well. It lets you know someone’s at the door. On the other hand, a video doorbell does the same but with the perk of letting you see and hear the person at your door, even if you’re not home. Someone mentioned they’d be up for a smart doorbell if it kept the data local. They said, “I don’t want anything being sent online, so I might need to set up my own system… I’ll just stick with the traditional kind.”
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Physical Buttons
A Redditor shared their affection for good old physical buttons, arguing that not everything needs to go the touchscreen route. They stressed the importance of having car radios equipped with buttons rather than screens, believing it’s a safer choice. They explained, “It’s easier for me to push a button to change the music while keeping my eyes on the road/ I can’t do that if my car has a screen. It increases distracted driving incidents.”
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