AI can help you with most of these items. Photo by SHVETS production, please support by following @pexel.com
The Ghost within You
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the number of things being marketed to you? Would you like an example? Every time you watch television, don’t you feel like there’s some new medication being advertised?
Most of which could cause, but are not limited to, internal bleeding, diarrhea, blurred vision, or death. Second thought, if it causes death, it shouldn’t be offered in the first place, but hey, we’re not doctors, we’re just nerds.
You don’t believe us they’re advertising possible flatline meds? Try to stay home and watch daytime TV, you’ll go insane, we promise. Television is a sitting pharmacy, we swear.
Drug pushing aside, what is the new craze that has many in confusion? That would be Artificial Intelligence or AI, for short. How do people get this confused? Isn’t AI just the rise of machines?
Well, yes, and no. The uprise is still a way away and there are talks that we get what we deserve but that’s another topic for another time.
Today, we’ll take a look into what generative AI is, and how it can help you in some ways. Machines are taking over, we have to learn to live with them.
They look the same, I don’t understand! Oh, the horror! Photo by Keira Burton, please support by following @pexel.com
Generative AI, what is it? Isn’t all AI the same? No, with generative AI, programs are used to create content. Examples of this would be using AI to create and edit videos, photos, and creating stories.
Regular AI or Traditional AI operates with preset structured rules for outputs. Examples of Traditional AI would be Netflix recommendations, which miss the mark on most recommendations, or interacting with Alexa for something like checking the weather.
With generative AI, could this make you a content creator? It could however, the issue is as follows: the AI will not remember the old content it created previously and generate the same, if not similar content.
So, if you were looking for something to replace your editor, well bad news for you, good news for them, you still need them. Unless you’re going to learn how to create on your own.
You can test this right now. Open up something like Bing AI or any other AI program. Instruct the AI to write a short story about you using your name. The story will be a fictional one, but that’s the power of generative AI.
AI can help me go viral? Nice. Photo by Ivan Samkov, please support by following @pexel.com
Now, if you’re considering becoming a content creator, editor, or something in the creation department. A generative AI program may be a great tool to bounce ideas back and forth.
AI has helped developers with programming/coding, and aided writers deal with writer’s block. Machines are coming for our jobs, but they can aid us to a better place if we learn how to use them to our advantage.
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Not all webcams are set to record but it doesn’t hurt to double check. Photo by Matheus Bertelli, please support by following @pexel.com
It’s 8:35 AM on a Monday morning and you know what time it is. Time to start your daily routine of shoveling through your email and what could possibly be considered PUMs (Potentially Unwanted Messages).
While skimming through the mass emails of bills, spam that didn’t get caught in the filter, and mail-order brides offers, have you ever had a creepy, eerie vibe that something is a bit off?
You look into the blackness of your webcam and have the feeling that something or someone is on the other side peering back at you.
Have you never had that experience? Okay, it’s just me then. Well, whether you had the feeling that someone was Sam Rockwelling you or not, let me make you aware of the possibility that something could be spying on your every move the next time you log in.
Tom: So…am I to talk to it or? Director: Tom, shut up, we’re trying to take a picture. Photo by Ron Lach, please support by following @pexel.com
Watching Eyes & London
On the internet of yesteryear, before you had to watch your back online as you did on the dark cold mist-fog streets of London. Don’t ask me how I know, I’ve never been to London but that’s always the setup in movies dealing with the Great Brit.
Life was simple, you could log in, veg out, and log off without worry of passively downloading spyware leading you to feel like Sam Rockwell and asking every five minutes; “Who’s watching me?” What spyware could have you feeling like this? It’s Pegasus, the cute horse with wings based on Greek mythology that every daughter would beg their father to have, it seems harmless, but your safe space will result in a 404 error. This is an error code (for those who don’t know) results when a web page cannot be found.
Pegasus was created by an Israeli cyber-arms company NSO (Niv, Shalev, and Omri: the names of the company founders) Group. NSO created Pegasus to collect important and sensitive information mainly on cellphones but why stop there when the capability of installing it on other devices could be added?
The installation of Pegasus would be triggered via what’s called a “zero-click”- meaning the software could be downloaded without interaction of the individual. So to translate this, this is like the activation of a tripwire, or for all of you Yu-Gi-Oh card game players out there, you’ve activated my trap card and now I can watch every move you make like the Police from the 80s.
Maria: You didn’t subscribe so it’s over and I don’t know you, Eric. STRANGER DANGER! Eric: BUT YOU JUST SAID MY NAME! Photo by RODNAE Productions, please support by following @pexel.com
Followed Faithfully
Now that we have addressed your stalker, how or what is being done while you are unaware of the spyware present? Well, as mentioned earlier, once the tripwire or trap card is activated, this could happen in several ways such as opening an email or text or instant message and like your ideal date that’s withholding a slew of mental health issues, it’s in.
Pegasus is designed to read texts, and emails, monitor your application usage, collect user information (names and passwords), and gain access to your microphone and camera. You may be amazed and wondering, “Wow, what else can it do?” Well, to top all these features off, Pegasus can gain access to your GPS (Global Positioning System) and report back your whereabouts.
Earlier versions of Pegasus were installed on smartphones via weaknesses in commonly used apps or a cyber-attack technique called “spear-phishing”- this is sending a malicious link directly to an intended target for infection. Calling this spyware Pegasus seems like a one-off name, but it’s fitting as its ability to “fly through the air” from infected smartphone to smartphone and from infected device to device.
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“I don’t need virus protection.” Every device can come with virus included. Photo by Pixabay, please support by following @pexel.com
Good Intentions, Bad Market
The NSO Group created Pegasus with the claim that it would be only for use by “authorized” governments in the pursuit of preventing and fighting terror and crime however, this is an opinion; if it’s on the web, the dark web has it, and interested parties have it as well. Again, money is the kind of thing that makes the world go round.
At this junction, you may be wondering; “What devices are on the menu for Pegasus to peg?” Pegasus can peg Android, Blackberry, and iOS. Yes, Apple users, your coveted ecosystem prized Steve Jobs possessions aren’t safe from infiltration by viruses.
However, ironically the device to first discover the Pegasus spyware was through a failed attempt on an iPhone of a human rights activist that led to an investigation on the spyware back in 2016.
Hey…what’s that virus doing over there? Photo by Pixabay, please support by following @pexel.com
Active Protection
Right now, you’re probably wondering,” How can I detect or prevent this spyware from tracking me?” In most cases you would have some tell-tale signs that you may have an infection on your device however, this is not the case with Pegasus.
Though it may seem bleak, there are actions you can take to ensure you, your information, and your devices are safe. Following common best practices of keeping your OS (Operating System) up to date, not downloading any suspicious files from unknown sources, and not clicking on any links sent from someone you trust unless you’ve verified with them that they sent it.
Friendly confirmation can stop friendly fire.
To all those who read this and haven’t subscribed…I’m coming to collect. Z-Daddy is going to get his numbers. Photo by Lukas, please support by following @pexel.com
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At ScriptingTheWhy, the pursuit of self-development is more than a passion—it’s a way of life. It’s about recognizing that the path to personal growth is not a straight line but a winding road filled with challenges and opportunities. It’s about understanding that every day presents a new chance to become a better version of ourselves.
The essence of self-improvement lies in the continuous quest to exceed our own expectations. It’s about setting goals that push us out of our comfort zones and into realms of potential we never knew existed. It’s about cultivating a mindset that views obstacles as stepping stones to greater heights.
But what does it truly mean to strive for something better? It means waking up each day with the conviction that today can be better than yesterday. It means embracing the lessons learned from past experiences and using them to forge a brighter future. It means being relentless in the pursuit of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.
Embrace a better you. Photo by Taryn Elliott, please support by following @pexel.com
Reflection
Sharing thoughts and experiences is a cornerstone of growth. It allows us to gain insights from diverse perspectives and to reflect on our own beliefs and actions. It’s a process that fosters empathy, encourages collaboration, and builds a community of like-minded individuals who support each other’s growth.
To become a better version of ourselves every day, we must be willing to take risks, to fail, and to learn. We must be open to change and adaptable to the ever-evolving landscape of life. We must be diligent in our efforts, consistent in our actions, and kind in our interactions.
At ScriptingTheWhy, we believe that self-development is an infinite game. There’s no final destination, only milestones that mark our progress. It’s a journey that requires patience, perseverance, and a positive attitude. And it’s a journey that we’re all on together.
Updating to Our Best
So, let’s continue to share, to inspire, and to grow. Let’s challenge ourselves and each other to reach new heights. Let’s script the why behind our actions and make every day a step towards becoming the best versions of ourselves.
Remember, the journey of self-improvement is not just about the goals we achieve but about the people we become along the way. Let’s make this journey a remarkable one. Let’s make it count. Let’s make it together.
