Staying cyber safe in the age of ChatGPT
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an inseparable part of our daily lives, personally and professionally, and its impact is only increasing, yet often unnoticed. From entertainment to work productivity, AI technology drives much of what we do throughout the day and brings new definitions to innovation and creativity and ultimately the modern workplace.
One such example of AI’s growing influence is ChatGPT, an AI chatbot system that has rapidly gained popularity, attracting 100 million active users within two months of its launch. This milestone took WhatsApp and Facebook several years to achieve, indicating the rapid pace of adoption of AI-powered chatbots. It’s also seen much anticipation through its introduction into Microsoft Teams Premium.
ChatGPT’s advanced capabilities represent a remarkable technological leap forward. Unlike traditional search engines, it can generate movie outlines, write complete code scripts, provide rapid and accurate information, automate tasks, and much more in a matter of minutes. With such capabilities, it’s no wonder that some of your employees may already be leveraging ChatGPT to boost their productivity and work performance.
Image: Popular Science
While ChatGPT’s advanced language processing abilities make it a valuable tool for businesses and users alike, it’s important to recognise the potential risks associated with this technology and take appropriate measures to mitigate them. Mischievous cybercriminals can misuse ChatGPT to create convincing phishing emails, generate malwares, botnets as well as run API attacks. Additionally, users may inadvertently expose sensitive information, potentially providing an opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit it for malicious purposes.
Despite the assessment outlined above, ChatGPT itself is not dangerous. However, the potential for misuse by cybercriminals who are increasingly on the search for easy targets, emphasises the need for user awareness and caution.
10 best practices to stay cybersafe
To keep yourself and your organization’s data safe, here are some best practices to follow:
A network detection and response (NDR) solutions can help monitor your network for any harmful activity continuously. This will help you and your organisation identify and respond to any potential threats before they cause significant damage.
A strong password that cannot be easily guessed must be used as your first line of defense against data theft. Passwords should be complex and include a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
This includes using a strong and unique password and setting up two-factor authentication (2FA), such as a fingerprint or a code sent to your phone, to access your account.
This adds an extra layer of protection to your data, so in the unfortunate case that a malicious actor gains access to your system, they won’t be able to read or exploit the information if it’s encrypted.
Be better protected against security flaws by keeping your softwares up to date. Software updates often contain security patches that address vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cybercriminals.
The right antivirus softwares should help shield you from viruses, phishing emails, and other security risks. Antivirus software can detect and remove malicious software from your system.
Monitor your accounts to detect any suspicious behavior or incidents in a timely manner. This can help you identify potential threats before they cause significant damage.
This is to ensure that even if a breach does occur, you’ll still be able to quickly recover any lost information. Regularly backing up your data can help minimize the impact of a security breach.
Make sure that your cloud service provider employs strong security measures to protect your data and ensure compliance with applicable regulations for best business cloud practices.
Most importantly, avoid sharing sensitive or personal information, even if the request looks legitimate.
Utilise ChatGPT safely and effectively with cybersecurity experts
Investing in effective cybersecurity solutions, such as those offered by Virtu’s cybersecurity experts, is key to keeping your data safe and protecting your organization’s reputation.
By identifying and implementing the most suitable security protocols, you can ensure that all potential threats are addressed before they become a problem.
If you’re wondering whether to speak to an IT consultant, now is the time! Virtu is here to help.