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Dangers of ChatGPT and other AI related to security and data

Are you using ChatGPT or other AI tools for your work or research purposes? Make sure your personal data remains safe with Avast Secure Browser.

Dangers of ChatGPT and other AI related to security and data
Shaun M Jooste

Shaun M Jooste

  • Updated:
Disclosure: Our team is always looking for things we think our readers will value. We have received compensation for publishing this article.

ChatGPT has become incredibly helpful for various aspects, such as creating outlines for topics, researching for school work, assisting with social media text, and so much more. While the relatively new AI technology has taken the world by storm, there are several security aspects that many users aren’t aware of.

In this article, we’ll give you a quick overview of what ChatGPT is in case you haven’t tried it out yet. We’ll show you some of the benefits of the AI system before explaining the inherent risks that you need to know about. Finally, we’ll explain how Avast Secure Browser can protect your device and data from these dangers.

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What is ChatGPT?

Open AI developed ChatGPT AI technology as an open-source model so that anyone can use it in creating applications using the same protocols. In essence, it learns from online sources, books, and articles in an effort to understand human language. When you ask it a question, it uses the stored information to supply you with an answer. 

There are many actions it can perform. It can search for the top keywords for a topic, create an outline of an article, write an ebook, summarize text, translate content, and much more. It also understands speech recognition and different language models. If you need specific social media text, it can create it for you with relevant trending hashtags.

Dangers of ChatGPT AI related to security and data

The benefit of AI tools like ChatGPT

Now that you know what ChatGPT is and what it does, there are several benefits if used the right way. Here’s a general idea of some of the more prominent advantages of this AI tool:

  • Enhance experience: While delivering accurate information in a conversational way, it enhances the user experience better than more search engines can. You won’t have to wade through hundreds of page results to find the best answer or solution.
  • Driving innovation: The AI language model has the potential to inspire innovation when it comes to developing new tools and apps, delivering improved insights into user preferences and behavior
  • Advancing accessibility: Information is now more readily available, no matter what the reader’s ability or language is. With translations and detailed concept explanations in more layman’s terms, it makes the internet more inclusive. It can also assist those who are visually impaired.
  • Personalized recommendations: AI technology is able to search your browser history, personal data, and search queries, and it even remembers past conversations you’ve had with it. Not only can it provide personalized recommendations based on your preferences, but it also helps you discover new things aligned with your projects or goals.
  • Predictive browsing: Thanks to analyzing your browsing history and search results, the AI tool is able to predict what you’ll be searching for next. It will also give you suggestions for other search terms in case it helps you with your research. 
  • Cybersecurity: In many cases, developers have used AI tech to detect cyberattacks, phishing, and many other malicious attacks while also preventing them from happening. 
  • Content moderation: AI has also helped admins of social groups moderate harmful comments and content, by not only identifying them but also automatically removing them.
Dangers of ChatGPT AI related to security and data

What are the security risks and vulnerabilities of using AI tools?

After reading about the benefits of AI tools like ChatGPT, you might be wondering how there can be any danger or risk. The problem is that there is no regulation on how this technology obtains and uses the information it collects. 

Here are some of the more prevalent security risks of using AI tools.

Lack of support

Some AI tools run without any support from the developers. Others are completely abandoned without further updates, which means you might be working with outdated software. These have high risks of being used by hackers as security vulnerabilities to steal your data or infect your device with malware.

Data security

The way AI technology works is by relying on massive amounts of data; that’s effectively what machine learning is. Without it, it can’t make predictions or suggest content based on your preferences. If you aren’t taking measures to secure your data, you may be vulnerable to hacking or identity theft.

Discrimination

Since AI learns from different sources online, some of the information may be complete or one-sided. This can lead to discrimination against race or gender, especially if someone is using the tool as part of a recruitment process.

Malicious intent

One of the biggest problems at the moment is when people use AI for the wrong reasons. For example, deepfakes are becoming a massive problem at the moment, which is being used for cyberbullying and creating fake news about celebrities and other online personalities.

Dangers of ChatGPT AI related to security and data

How can Avast Secure Browser protect you from harmful AI?

Avast Secure Browser is one of the top browsers available on the market, and personally, one that I prefer. Whenever I get a new device, the first thing I do is download ASB and make sure all the security settings are in place, and bookmarks synced. While other browsers ask you to get a separate VPN, this one has it already installed by default.

Here are some ways that Avast Secure Browser protects your device from harmful AI:

  • Security & Privacy Center: You’ll find plenty of tools and features in this console where you can manage your online activity. While many are activated by default, you can personalize and change many of the Avast Secure Browser settings.
  • Web Shield: This tool prevents malicious websites using AI tools to steal your information or banking details. When you click on a download link, it will first check if the file is safe before you can save it.
  • Bank Mode: If you want even more security when banking, you can quickly open a virtual desktop to access your account. In this way, you won’t have to worry about hackers spying on your credentials or account information.
  • Anti-tracking: Did you know that many browsers and sites track your activity and data while you’re surfing the web? With Avast Secure Browser’s anti-tracking system in place, it will notify you when a site has tried to track you, blocking them in the process.
  •  Anti-fingerprinting: Some sites and adverts try to track your browser’s configuration and preferences, also known as browser fingerprinting. With this Avast tool, it disguises your settings, making sure no one uses the details against you.
  • Secure Browser Pro (VPN): The Pro version of Avast Secure Browser includes Secureline, which is the VPN you can use for accessing content in other countries or hiding your location. If you have Avast Security Premium, it will already be included in your anti-virus package.
  • Privacy Guard (AdBlock): If you’re tired of adverts, this tool will block them from appearing on websites while you’re reading. There’s a handy Avast Chromium extension where you can select on which sites you want to disable the feature, especially if you need pop-ups to appear.

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Avast Secure Browser: Protect your Device from AI threats

In conclusion, Avast Secure Browser is one of the few solutions to ensure your data remains safe while you’re online. Even if you’re gaming with friends, you’ll want to make sure no one gets access to your accounts. With all the right tool in place, you can enjoy a wonderful browsing experience without worrying about AI stealing your data.

Shaun M Jooste

Shaun M Jooste

I live in South Africa, Cape town, as a father of two children. I've been gaming almost all my life, with plenty of experience writing reviews and articles on the latest titles. With 15 years of experience in local government performing Facilities Management functions, I moved towards becoming CEO of my own company, Celenic Earth Publications, which serves to publish author's books, including my own. I'm a published author of horror and fantasy novels, while I also dabble in game and movie scriptwriting.

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