Understanding AI Chatbots

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the buzzword of the day. There are many types of AI, but one particular flavor is getting a lot of press these days: chatbots. Formally referred to as Large Language Models (LLMs), chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini are everywhere - either directly or integrated with other popular apps. This technology is real and it's here to stay, so it's important that we understand what it is, how it works, and what the limitations are. Today I'll explore some aspects of LLMs that you probably weren't aware of.

In other news: critical, exploited Firefox bug is fixed (update now!); National Public Data files for bankruptcy after massive breach; hackers target Qualcomm chip zero-day used in many Android phones; China attackers exploit legally-mandated wiretapping backdoor in major telecom systems; new FIDO standard proposed for allowing passkeys to be exported and backed up; a PSA on why you shouldn't share personal information with AI chatbots.

Article Links

[The Hacker News] Mozilla Warns of Active Exploitation in Firefox, Urges Users to Update Immediately https://thehackernews.com/2024/10/mozilla-warns-of-active-exploitation-in.html

[therecord.media] National Public Data files for bankruptcy, citing fallout from cyberattack https://therecord.media/national-public-data-bankruptcy-cyberattack

[techcrunch.com] Hackers were targeting Android users with Qualcomm zero-day https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/09/hackers-were-targeting-android-users-with-qualcomm-zero-day/

[pluralistic.net] China hacked Verizon, AT&T and Lumen using the FBI’s backdoor https://pluralistic.net/2024/10/07/foreseeable-outcomes/

[appleinsider.com] Future Passkeys will be able to be shared across platforms & password vaults https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/10/15/future-passkeys-will-be-able-to-be-shared-across-platforms-password-vaults

[9to5mac.com] PSA: Here’s another reason not to include personal details in AI chats https://9to5mac.com/2024/10/17/psa-heres-another-reason-not-to-include-personal-details-in-ai-chats/

Tip of the Week: Understanding AI Chatbots

Further Info

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Privacy Not Included chatbot privacy guide: https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/privacynotincluded/articles/how-to-protect-your-privacy-from-chatgpt-and-other-ai-chatbots/

Gandalf AI game: https://gandalf.lakera.ai/baseline 

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Table of Contents

Use these timestamps to jump to a particular section of the show.

0:01:01: Google finally killing uBlock Origin

0:04:07: News preview

0:05:54: Mozilla Warns of Active Exploitation in Firefox

0:08:55: National Public Data files for bankruptcy

0:14:42: Hackers were targeting Android users with Qualcomm zero-day

0:19:14: China hacked Verizon, AT&T and Lumen using the FBI’s backdoor

0:26:10: Future Passkeys will be able to be shared across platforms & password vaults

0:31:08: Here’s another reason not to include personal details in AI chats

0:37:40: Tip of the Week: Understanding Chatbots

0:55:55: Wrapping up

0:56:35: Celebrating 400 episodes!