The remarkable rise of ChatGPT substantiates its usefulness in assisting with various tasks (e.g., composing emails, solving math problems, and offering cooking help) and reveals an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Customers can begin using ChatGPT by creating a free OpenAI account. The chatbot can do just about anything you ask it. Whether you’re using it in your personal life or to become more productive at work, always think twice before doing anything.
ChatGPT is safe to use – OpenAI takes privacy and security seriously. Robust procedures, such as annual security audits, encryption, strict access controls, and bug bounties, ensure user safety while interacting with the AI system. Still, as with any online tool, make digital hygiene a priority and stay ahead of emerging threats.
ChatGPT Has Been Hailed as Revolutionary and World-Changing, But It’s Not Without Drawbacks
The future of AI has arrived, and ChatGPT is here to help you free up time for what matters the most. It’s the most revolutionary technology in the past couple of years, no doubt about that, but the AI chatbot isn’t without flaws. Find out what the potential dangers are and how to deal with them.
- Data breaches: Info stealers can seize passwords, cookies, credit cards, and other vital details. If the personal data you share with ChatGPT is compromised, it can put you at risk for identity theft and fraud. Chats and postings leave vast pools of data. Follow good password hygiene and enable 2FA.
- Phishing: ChatGPT can be used by scammers to trick people. They use the chatbot to create messages that look genuine, with perfect grammar and spelling. Catfishers use ChatGPT to engage victims in conversation, so it’s hard to tell if you’re dating a real person.
- Malware development: ChatGPT can be used for the development of malware and other harmful software. This is why OpenAI implemented safety filters to prevent the misuse of the AI system’s features and capabilities.
- Misinformation: The success of ChatGPT lies in its ability to understand and respond to user input. Using NLP, it can provide surprisingly helpful responses. Even so, it’s not a reliable source of factual information. ChatGPT can perpetuate and even validate misinformation, telling users what they want to hear.
- Fake ChatGPT apps: There have been apps posing as ChatGPT when, in reality, they were fake. These apps aren’t malicious – they’re fleeceware and come with hidden, excessive subscription fees. If you don’t want to create an OpenAI account, get access to the chatbot by using Bing Chat, built into Microsoft Edge.
So, What Can You Do to Protect Yourself While Using ChatGPT?
Nothing in life is guaranteed, so irrespective of how you use ChatGPT, it’s your responsibility to keep your data private and secure. Here’s how to stay safe with ChatGPT:
Use Plugins from Trusted Sources
There are countless ChatGPT plugins available that modify the capabilities of the AI chatbot. You can use up to three plugins during a session, but you can change them at any time, depending on which ones you wish to use. Pick and select a core library of ChatGPT plugins that you use regularly. The best ChatGPT plugins come from trusted sources and allow for several additional use cases, improving the chat experience.
You can use ChatGPT plugins to interact with external apps, services, and companies to create promotional videos, optimize product descriptions for search engines, and streamline writing endeavors. Plugins are necessary for enhanced functionality, but the more plugins you use, the more risks you face. Some might be poorly coded, so download ChatGPT plugins from websites with good reputations. Read reviews from users who’ve already installed them.
Avoid Sharing Sensitive Information
It’s not a good idea to share identifiable information, financial details, passwords, or proprietary intellectual property with ChatGPT because it saves your data. The AI system involves human interaction, which means there’s the potential for mistakes. It’s dangerous enough to leak your own information, but corporations are using ChatGPT to process information on a daily basis, and this spells trouble. You can safely use the chatbot for various tasks, yet handling sensitive information isn’t one of them.
Access ChatGPT Via Its Official Website & Mobile Apps
As mentioned earlier, it’s essential to exercise caution when using OpenAI’s technology because the trend of fake apps is showing no signs of slowing down. Fake ChatGPT apps demand unnecessary information and permissions, often distributing malware following installation. To avoid supplying personal information to scammers or apps impersonating ChatGPT, visit chat.openai.com or download the app from the Google Play Store or the Apple Store. Using a fake version of the legitimate chatbot will compromise confidential data.
Disable Chat History & Model Training
Make sure to turn off the chat history in ChatGPT so your data won’t be used to train and improve OpenAI’s models. Conversations that start when chat history is disabled won’t appear in the history sidebar. Go to the Settings tab, found in the three-dot menu next to the User Account. The option referred to as Data Controls should appear – it makes it possible for you to turn off chat history and decide whether your conversations will be used for model training.
You can also turn off training for your ChatGPT conversations, but the information will be retained for about a month. The staff will monitor for abuse before permanently deleting the chats. The entire process gives you more privacy and is much simpler compared to the previous opt-out system. In case you’re curious to know what information OpenAI has on you, export your data. All your conversations will be sent to you via email.
Concluding Thoughts
In today’s digital age, AI has become an indispensable tool for everyday life. Anyone can access the beta version of ChatGPT for free, so use it to make your life easier and more productive. However, don’t store your conversations and never share sensitive information. With any online service, there’s the risk of leaks and cybersecurity breaches, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Don’t take any chances.
