AI UPDATE: AI Password Crackdown, AI's Impact On Hollywood, Consistent Characters in Midjourney

The Password Crackdown: Are Your Passwords Really Secure?

Advances in technology have made cracking passwords easier than ever before…

In an era where data breaches and cyberattacks are becoming increasingly common, the importance of strong passwords cannot be overstated. Security experts have long advised users to create complex passwords containing a mix of lowercase and uppercase characters, numbers, and special symbols. However, recent research by security firm Hive Systems reveals that even these complex passwords may not be enough to protect our online accounts and data from determined cybercriminals.

Advances in graphics processing technology and artificial intelligence (AI) have significantly reduced the time it takes to crack passwords using brute force techniques. In this article, we will delve into the details of this alarming trend and explore ways to better protect ourselves in the face of evolving cyber threats.

The Time it Takes to Crack a Password:
According to Hive Systems' research, an 8-character complex password can be cracked in just five minutes if the attacker takes advantage of the latest graphics processing technology and AI. Even shorter passwords with fewer characters can be cracked instantly. This means that traditional password length and complexity guidelines may no longer be sufficient to ensure security.

However, the research also highlights that longer passwords, even if they are simpler, are more resistant to cracking. For example, an 18-character password with only numbers would require six days to crack, while the same-length password using lowercase letters would take 481,000 years to crack. This suggests that using passphrases, which consist of a long string of random words, can be a more secure alternative to complex but short passwords.

Tools Used by Hackers:
To crack passwords quickly, hackers rely on powerful graphics processing units (GPUs) and cloud computing. The latest GPUs, such as Nvidia's GeForce RTX 4090, can perform password-cracking tasks at lightning speed. Even less powerful and less expensive GPUs can crack passwords of small length and low complexity relatively quickly.

Additionally, hackers can rent computer and graphics hardware through cloud providers like Amazon AWS, allowing them to tap into multiple virtual instances of powerful GPUs at a low cost. Furthermore, AI has given hackers another tool to crack passwords efficiently. By analyzing common passwords, AI algorithms can crack a significant percentage of them in a short amount of time.

Protecting Yourself and Your Organization:
Given the advancements in technology, it is crucial to adapt our password protection strategies. Here are a few tips to enhance password security:

1. Use a Passphrase: Instead of relying on complex but short passwords, consider using a passphrase consisting of a string of random words. Passphrases are more secure and easier to remember.

2. Utilize a Password Manager: Since it is nearly impossible to create and remember multiple complex passwords on your own, using a password manager is highly recommended. Password managers generate, store, and apply strong passwords for your online accounts.

3. Establish a Strong Master Password: If you use a password manager, ensure that your master password is complex and long to protect your stored passwords effectively.

4. Test Your Passwords: Before finalizing a password, check its strength using online tools that gauge its vulnerability to cracking. This will help you determine if your password is secure enough.

The ease with which passwords can now be cracked due to advancements in technology is a wake-up call for individuals and organizations alike. It is vital to reassess our password protection strategies and adopt more secure practices.

By using passphrases, employing password managers, and regularly testing the strength of our passwords, we can better protect our online accounts and data from cyber threats. As technology continues to evolve, staying vigilant and proactive in our approach to password security will be crucial to safeguarding our digital lives.

How AI is Shaking Up Hollywood: Actors and Writers Face a Brave New World

In a bitter conflict between actors, writers, and major movie studios, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a central player. Hollywood creatives fear that generative AI, a form of AI that can automatically produce new written and visual works, will be used to exploit them. But what exactly are they afraid of? And are their fears justified? As a professor of cinematic arts, I have explored the impact of AI on the movie and TV industry, and the results are both fascinating and concerning.

The Power of AI:

The Fears of Writers and Actors:
Both writers and actors have valid concerns about the rise of AI in the entertainment industry. Writers fear that they will be hired only to edit screenplays drafted by AI and that their creative work will be used as fodder for writing tools to sample. They worry that their specific expertise will be pushed aside in favor of "prompt engineers" skilled at working with AI tools. Actors, on the other hand, fret that their likeness will be sold once and then used repeatedly by studios. They fear that deepfake technologies will render real actors unnecessary and that their voices will be synthesized and reused without continued compensation.

The AI Future:
The impact of AI on the film and TV industry is already evident. Marvel, for example, showcased titles for the series "Secret Invasion" that were partially created using AI tools. Software developers have also created films and TV show episodes without the need for screenwriters or actors. These advancements raise concerns about job displacement and the loss of creative control for writers and actors.

Keeping Actors and Writers in the Credits:
To alleviate these fears, the entertainment industry needs to develop a collaborative vision that acknowledges the advances in AI while involving writers and actors as partners. By including informed actors and writers in the design of AI tools, the industry can address concerns about intellectual property, copyright, and creativity. This inclusive approach can lead to a creative cinematic ecosystem that embraces AI while preserving the unique contributions of writers and actors.

AI is undoubtedly reshaping the movie and TV industry, and the fears of Hollywood actors and writers are not unfounded. However, by fostering collaboration and inclusivity, the industry can navigate this brave new world of AI and ensure that the talents and expertise of writers and actors continue to be valued and celebrated. As technology evolves, it is crucial to find a balance between the power of AI and the human touch that makes storytelling truly remarkable.