ChatGPT Privacy: What You Need to Know Before You Type

ChatGPT’s Footer​

In a recent ChatGPT session, I noticed the footer “Don’t share sensitive info. Chats may be reviewed and used to train our models. Learn more.” Not sure if they recently added it, or if our ChatGPT friends have put that there from the beginning. Regardless, I am writing about sharing sensitive information in AI prompts today. My example is of ChatGPT but I feel this advice applies to all AI interactions.
AI numbers moving through the brain.gif

Why You Should Keep Personal Info Out of ChatGPT, and All AI Engines​

Keep ePHI (electronic protected health information) out of AI prompts.
When using ChatGPT or any AI engine, it’s important to be careful about what information you share. You should avoid putting personal details or health information in your prompts. This helps protect your privacy and keeps sensitive data safe. ChatGPT uses the information you give it to create responses. While the company behind ChatGPT, OpenAI, says they try to keep data private, that is a beautiful plan IMO. Here’s why:

  1. Your conversations might be reviewed by AI trainers to improve the system.
  2. De-identified information could be used for research.
  3. There’s a chance your input could appear in responses to other users.
OpenAI encrypts the data you enter, but they don’t sign special agreements to protect health information (ePHI). This means it’s best to assume anything you type into ChatGPT could potentially be seen by others.

Protecting Your Privacy When Using ChatGPT​

To use AI engines safely:
  • Don’t enter any personal details like names, addresses, or phone numbers.
  • Avoid sharing health information or financial data.
  • Be careful not to include details that could identify you or others.
  • Remember that deleting prompts later isn’t always possible for regular users.
If you’re using ChatGPT for work, especially in healthcare or finance, it’s extra important to follow these guidelines. Your company might have rules about what information can be shared with outside services.

By being careful about what you share, you can enjoy using AI while keeping your personal information secure. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting private data online.

More​

AI ain’t so tough. See https://cybersafetynet.net/category/ai/ to help understand and use Artificial intelligence.

Difficulty accessing Instructor resources

Hey there, CINners!

I'm running into some trouble accessing the Instructor Resources, for the Test Out Office Pro. I tried accessing them, but it 'refuses to connect'. It doesn't seem to be an internet issue.

Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Attachments

  • Teaching Aids error.JPG
    Teaching Aids error.JPG
    22.7 KB · Views: 14
  • Teaching Aids 1.JPG
    Teaching Aids 1.JPG
    28.3 KB · Views: 14

With CompTIA rebranding CASP+ & ITF, will they also rebrand A+?

So now we have A+, Network+, Security+, Pentest+, CySA+, CASP+ and Security X.
According to CompTIA's page, SecurityX is a re-branding of CASP+, so while SecurityX will be at the top of the stack, CASP+ won't be in the stack, per se.

With CompTIA rebranding CASP+ & ITF, will they also rebrand A+?

I'm confused from the above given it seems no two comments again... With regards to whateverX what are new certs vs what is stackable? I'm hoping @Jose A Ruiz Marquez personally. :)
From what CompTIA published the Security X will be the new king of the hill of the Cybersecurity path. So now we have A+, Network+, Security+, Pentest+, CySA+, CASP+ and Security X. I'm sure they will come up with some new stackable cert to include Security X. I also read that if our CASP+ is alive (mine was taken in June 2024) the Securit X will be awarded to us without having to actually take the test. So if they come up with a stacked cert we will get it also. I'm a fan of those, I also got Linux+, Cloud+ and Server+ so I can have all 12 stackable certs, I had too much free time 🤣🤣
  • Like
Reactions: precious

With CompTIA rebranding CASP+ & ITF, will they also rebrand A+?

@Dan Regarding name changes: Why change something that works well? I don't think A+ has any real competition. So why change the name?
(y)
@precious I'm not sure I agree with your statement "CompTIA didn't rename CASP+ to CompTIA Security X. ". I think the title 'CASP+' needed to be differentiated from CISSP and CISM and a whole host of other higher level security certs. In my humble opinion it was renamed as the objectives were updated.
You're right, since 005 is SecurityX where CASP+ was 004, like @Jose A Ruiz Marquez said.
@Jose A Ruiz Marquez Yes. You don't have to take the new exam just yet IF you have time left to renew your CASP+ certification (and choose or are required to take the exam to renew).
Which, for me, is the second thing I get to do in 2025, after redoing Cloud+. So many certs, so little time.
@Lee McWhorter I believe I heard that SecurityX will be the top of the CompTIA cybersecurity stack.
(y)
@Rick Butler I agree with what you said (as usual). Hope you are enjoying that coffee.
:coffee:

With CompTIA rebranding CASP+ & ITF, will they also rebrand A+?

@Dan Regarding name changes: Why change something that works well? I don't think A+ has any real competition. So why change the name?

@precious I'm not sure I agree with your statement "CompTIA didn't rename CASP+ to CompTIA Security X. ". I think the title 'CASP+' needed to be differentiated from CISSP and CISM and a whole host of other higher level security certs. In my humble opinion it was renamed as the objectives were updated.

@Jose A Ruiz Marquez Yes. You don't have to take the new exam just yet IF you have time left to renew your CASP+ certification (and choose or are required to take the exam to renew).

@Lee McWhorter I believe I heard that SecurityX will be the top of the CompTIA cybersecurity stack.

@Rick Butler I agree with what you said (as usual). Hope you are enjoying that coffee.
  • Love
Reactions: precious

With CompTIA rebranding CASP+ & ITF, will they also rebrand A+?

I don't see CompTIA re-branding A+ since 1) there is an incredible amount of brand recognition surrounding that name and 2) because CompTIA has added in the addendum "underscore" certs to their certification stack. So, I believe that CompTIA is counting on that industry branding to advance the underscore certs - which, I don't think is a bad thing at all. It really doesn't take a lot for a neophyte in IT to know what A+ is supposed to be or represent.

As CompTIA posted last year out on Reddit:

The CompTIA A+ underscore (_) technical learning and certificate programs is a series of modular programs that will offer learners greater flexibility to build the depth and breadth of their skills, while expanding accessibility to encourage more people to explore tech career pathway options.

The CompTIA A+_ series centers around key knowledge domains and in-demand job roles, including the following areas: CompTIA A+_cyber, CompTIA A+_server, CompTIA A+_network, CompTIA A+_data, CompTIA A+_cloud, CompTIA A+_coding

The first programs in the CompTIA A+_ series are scheduled for availability in October, delivered on Coursera, a leading online learning platform with more than 120 million learners globally. The self-paced programs will feature engaging videos, assessment, and hands-on labs.

1728316778816.pngAs to the X certs, this is all part of the CompTIA Xpert line. Personally, I like SecurityX as a rename for CASP+, it's edgier... and every time I see an X cert, I think of this guy - Racer X from Speed Racer.




Anyway - top of the morning CIN... *sips coffee*

/r

Data Analytics Pathway - certification renewal

Has anyone heard if CompTIA plans to give full or partial credit for CEU renewal by passing a higher-level CompTIA data analytics certification?

Will DataSys+ give full or partial credit for CEUs for Data+?

Will DataX give full or partial credit for CEUs for DataSys+ and/or Data+?

CEU's for other certifications earned

I agree- except for him. He's really good at PBQs and knows pretty much everything in the field. And he knows PBQs are worth the most. He's been doing this so long that he can figure out how many extra multi-choice questions he needs to roughly clear and still pass. He does his PBQs, a few multiple choice, and then he ends the exam. Once, he left his car running and went upstairs and did this and walked out with his pass score.
No one knows how many points any of the questions are worth, and anyone who claims to know is speculating.

I answer all the questions. I just prefer to answer the quick M/C questions first and save the longer PBQs until later.

Additional Resources

Definitely take a look at Prowse and Parker/O'Shea. They are really good resources.

I never recommend Messer exclusively. Like many pointed out, using only one resource is not advantageous As an instructor who is thorough and wanting my students to use other resources than the books we use, I find that my students do exactly that, and they do better on the exams as a result. It's all in how you frame your narrative when you give them supplemental materials.
I tell them they need one good exam prep book, one good class, and one good practice exam.

They should research those independently if they have any difficulties with any individual topics.
  • Like
Reactions: Chris Posey

Share Your Experience as a High School IT Teacher

Howdy!

We’re reaching out to hear from people who have taken the unique path of becoming an IT teacher in a U.S. high school. Whether you’re currently teaching or have taught IT in the past, we would greatly appreciate your input.

Please take less than 20 minutes to complete our survey. Your participation will help us better understand the experiences and support needed for IT teachers, contributing to the future of IT education in U.S. high schools.

Feel free to share this survey with any other IT teachers you know - we value every voice!

Thank you,
Kelli Adam, Network+
Texas A&M University

Additional Resources

Meyers and Chapple are great resources. I strongly recommend both.

I've never used Prowse, or Parker and O'Shea, so I can't comment on them.

I stopped recommending Messer a while back. Too many new learners exclusively watch his extremely abridged video series, take his practice exams, and exam-cram their way to a barely passing score while learning nothing meaningful that will help them be more productive at work. Not to mention that Messser keeps spinning yarns that 50% of the exam objectives change every three years, which is completely nonsense.
Definitely take a look at Prowse and Parker/O'Shea. They are really good resources.

I never recommend Messer exclusively. Like many pointed out, using only one resource is not advantageous As an instructor who is thorough and wanting my students to use other resources than the books we use, I find that my students do exactly that, and they do better on the exams as a result. It's all in how you frame your narrative when you give them supplemental materials.

Filter