Have you used ChatGPT yet? You might have enjoyed conversing with a smart, friendly machine that can answer your questions, tell jokes, or even write stories.
But did you know that ChatGPT is not the only AI bot out there? There are many other bots that you can chat with, created by different developers who use the open-source code of ChatGPT to customize their own versions. Some of these bots have different personalities, skills, or features than the original ChatGPT.
Before you start chatting with these bots, you should be aware of potential risks to your privacy and security. Unlike ChatGPT, which is developed and maintained by OpenAI, a reputable research organization, these third-party bots might not have the same data protection and safety standards. In fact, some of them might even be malicious, designed to steal your personal information, trick you into clicking on harmful links, or expose you to inappropriate content.
How can you tell which bots are safe and which ones are not? Unfortunately, it's not easy. Like Apple or Google, OpenAI recently launched a new app store for ChatGPT called the GPT store, where you can discover and create custom bots in one place. However, this app store does not guarantee that the bots you find there are secure and trustworthy. OpenAI says that it has a review system to check the bots for compliance with its policies. Still, it also admits that it does not verify the privacy and security practices of the third-party developers or the external services they use.
This means that when you chat with a bot from the GPT store, you might share your data with unknown parties, who might use it for purposes you don't consent to. For example, some bots might ask you to upload documents, presentations, code, or other files, which they might then store, analyze, or sell without your permission. Some bots might also integrate with other online services, such as search engines, social media platforms, or e-commerce sites, which might collect and use your data in ways you don't expect.
Here are some tips to help you chat with AI bots safely and securely:
- Be careful what you share. Don't give out any sensitive or personal information to any bot, such as your name, address, phone number, email, password, credit card number, or social security number. Also, don't upload any files that contain such information or that are confidential, proprietary, or copyrighted.
- Be skeptical of what you see. Don't trust everything that a bot says or shows you. Some bots might lie, mislead, manipulate, or show you false or harmful information. Always verify the source and accuracy of the information you receive from a bot. Don't click on links or download files you don't recognize or trust.
- Be selective of what you use. Don't use any bot that you don't know or trust. Before engaging with a bot, carefully review its privacy policy and terms of service. If possible, use bots developed and maintained by reputable organizations, such as OpenAI, or verified by independent reviewers.
#ALTACyber
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Genady Vishnevetsky
Chief Info Security Officer
Stewart Title Guaranty Company
Houston TX
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