#security copilot

[infydeva]

Microsoft Ignite 2024

You can hear the great announcements from the Microsoft Ignite 2024. You can try the Microsoft Ignite 2024 session scheduler is now live for adding sessions to your own personal calendar, whether you’ve grabbed a ticket to attend in person, you’ll watch online, or you’re building a vault to watch at your leisure. Being a Security person, i loved the following Security related sessions (Labs,…

[nixcraft]

Classic Windows apps like Paint and Notepad are also getting LLM (Generative AI) support. There is no reason whatsoever that Notepad should do more than text editing. Microsoft has gone crazy with these tools. Of course, as part of these tools, your text in Notepad is sent to Microsoft under the name of Generative AI, which then sells it to the highest bidder. I'm so sick of Microsoft messing around with working tool and yes, you need stupid copilot subscription called "Microsoft 365 Personal and Family Subscribers" for Notepad. It is pain now. So, stick with FLOSS tools and OS and avoid this madness. Keep your data safe.

You need stupid AI credits to use basic tools.

In other words, you now need AI credits to use basic tools like Notepad and Paint. It's part of their offering called 'Microsoft 365 Personal and Family' or 'Copilot Pro'. These tools come with 'Content Filtering,' and only MS-approved topics or images can be created with their shity AI that used stolen data from all over the web. Read for yourself: Isn't AI wonderful? Artists and authors don't get paid, now you've added censorship, and the best part you need to pay for it!

GTFO, Microsoft.

[ralfmaximus]

Microsoft will be delaying its controversial Recall feature again, according to an updated blog post by Windows and Devices VP Pavan Davuluri. And when the feature does return "in the coming weeks," Davuluri writes, it will be as a preview available to PCs in the Windows Insider Program, the same public testing and validation pipeline that all other Windows features usually go through before being released to the general populace.

Oho. Now they're "delaying" the rollout of Recall, so it can undergo more public testing & feedback. Fascinating.

Looks like all our yelling & bitching about what a fucking terrible idea this feature is, and WHY did Microsoft fast-track it in near secrecy instead of, y'know, doing its normal thing... paid off. For once.

Good work, y'all.

[fratboycipher]

“you work in tech, arent you worried about AI stealing your job?” if AI demolishes webdev, i will give it a medal. anyway im a computer engineer and since the AI does not have actual hands to plug physical wires into physical holes i am not particularly concerned. viva la engineering get wrecked CS

[captain-acab]

This is good, but not 100% effective!

After doing this, Copilot will still be present in some Microsoft apps, like Paint. The way to completely remove it, even from within apps, is to change your device Region setting to something in the EU.

I believe this is because Copilot doesn't currently comply with GDPR so it's deactivated on what it perceives as "European owned" devices (you don't actually have to do anything to mask your device location, GPS, or IP location). Be warned that this workaround may not work forever, and it could possibly cause some conflicts with software licensing, Xbox app games, stuff like that (no idea, I'm just speculating. Haven't fully tested out every possibility).

Still, if you don't use any apps that you worry would have geo-restricted features, then this is the most effective workaround known at present.

Fellow Windows 11 users: how to disable newly-installed Microsoft AI!

Folks, with the new updates that've come down recently, Microsoft has installed its "Copilot" AI app on your machine. It apparently cannot be removed.

But it can be disabled.

ETA: first of all, try these less-invasive/difficult options via @sky-blaze:

The slightly more complex and risky approach (as regedit is never entirely safe) comes via the excellent Pihko Misit, aka @smokepaw.bsky.social over at Bluesky). I've just done this to my own desktop machine, and all's well with it now.

Here's what to do:

(1) You need to have Admin rights for the machine and be logged in to the administrator account.

Now, right-click on the Start menu (Windows logo on the Taskbar.) A menu pops up; about half way down it you'll see Terminal and Terminal (Admin). Click on the Terminal (Admin) option.

(2) A DoS-like box will open. (For those of you who've never interacted with a Windows terminal window before, it looks like this:)

On the command line (i.e. the first empty line), copy and paste this:

reg add HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot /v TurnOffWindowsCopilot /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Then hit Enter.

If successful, you'll see a line pop up saying so. Congratulations! But you're not quite finished.

Now you need to close all programs and fully shut down the machine. A restart isn't enough, it needs to be fully powered down and started back up.

"And now," Pihko says, "ou have a NSA-like AI spy dormant on your machine. Stay vigilant, odds are it'll turn back on with future updates! Big Corporate wants you to be compliant. Don't be!"

[laurentgiret]

Microsoft will launch next month new Security Copilot AI agents designed to help organizations address cybersecurity threats.

[munaeem]

Who’s Spying on You the Most? Microsoft, Google, Nvidia, or Steam? Let’s Find Out!

Hey everyone! Let’s talk about something we all know but don’t always think about: tech companies spying on us. Yeah, it’s no secret that our devices and apps are constantly collecting data, but have you ever wondered who’s doing it the most? Is it Microsoft? Google? Nvidia? Steam? Or maybe even EA? I decided to run a little experiment to find out, and the results were… eye-opening. The…

[goodoldbandit]

Preparing for Generative AI: A Comprehensive Guide to Transforming Your High-Performance Workplace.

Sanjay Kumar Mohindroo Sanjay Kumar Mohindroo. skm.stayingalive.in How to Prepare for Generative AI in Your High-Performance Workplace Generative AI is no longer just a buzzword—it has become a pivotal tool for driving productivity, creativity, and innovation in workplaces worldwide. Whether you’re aiming to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, or empower your workforce, preparing…

[lavanyachowary]

Data Security Simplified: Risk Management with Copilot in Microsoft 365

[borderlinegeorgecostanza]

what base is it when she performs performance boosting surgery on your laptop so you can play fortnite better

also copied from Reddit user wurdnerd

PowerShell Method (Actually Uninstalls CoPilot)

This will fully uninstall CoPilot from your system, instead of disabling via group policy or registry entries. Even if Microsoft pushes an update that reinstalls it later, this method will still work to remove it again!

1. Run PowerShell as Administrator

2. Paste: `Get-AppxPackage *CoPilot* -AllUsers | Remove-AppPackage -AllUsers`

3. Press Enter

`(There will not be any output if it is successfully removed)`

4. Reboot

[nationallawreview]

AI Transcripts and Investment Advisers: Embracing Technology While Meeting SEC Requirements

AI Transcripts in Investment Advisory There has been a boom recently regarding investment advisers’ use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) to transcribe client and internal meetings. Among other applications, AI features such as Zoom AI Companion, Microsoft Copilot, Jump, and Otter.ai (collectively, “AI Meeting Assistants”) can assist with drafting, transcribing, summarizing and prompting action…

[jcmarchi]

The New Proactive CX: Generative AI Meets Customer Service

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/the-new-proactive-cx-generative-ai-meets-customer-service/

The New Proactive CX: Generative AI Meets Customer Service

Generative AI (GenAI) is reshaping customer engagement in ways previously unimaginable. While it’s still early in its adoption, measurable business results are already being seen. According to a study by McKinsey, AI-driven customer engagement strategies have the potential to increase business revenues by up to 30% by 2025. This shift from reactive, human-centered strategies to an AI-first, proactive model is revolutionizing how enterprises conceptualize and deliver customer service.

The Shift to an AI-First Customer Experience

For decades, customer service strategies have focused primarily on phone-based, human-centered interactions. But as technology advances, the limitations of this model are becoming increasingly apparent. Contact centers and customer service departments have traditionally been reactive, dealing with customer inquiries and complaints as they arise. This reactive approach, while previously necessary and justified is inefficient and increasingly out of step with today’s customer expectations.

Generative AI offers a new way to interact with customers because it can deliver truly natural communication, understanding and act dynamically instead of within carefully scripted processes. Rather than waiting for customers to initiate contact, AI systems can predict customer needs and proactively engage with them. This shift from a reactive to a proactive model is one of the key ways GenAI is transforming customer experience (CX).

Proactive Engagement

A key advantage of AI is its ability to anticipate customer or deduce personal needs based on a holistic view of the customer. GenAI systems can analyze historical data and real-time information to predict when customers might need assistance, allowing businesses to engage with them before a problem arises. For example, AI could notify customers of potential issues with an order before they reach out to inquire about it, or it could recommend personalized solutions based on past behaviors and preferences.

This kind of proactive engagement not only improves the customer experience but also leads to more efficient operations. If a package is delayed or potentially lost, the company could automatically reach out in advance, thus taking the initiative and preventing a future inbound interaction when the customer is already upset. It may be a cliché at this point, but that doesn’t take away from the truth: a ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Personalization at Scale

One of the most powerful aspects of GenAI is its ability to deliver personalized experiences at scale. Traditional personalization efforts were largely based on adding a customer’s first name for example or remembering a birthday. Otherwise, it was up to human agents who usually had limited capacity. AI systems, on the other hand, can process and analyze vast amounts of data in real-time, allowing businesses to offer truly personalized interactions to every customer.

For example, an AI-powered system can recognize a returning customer, recall their previous interactions and purchases, and offer tailored recommendations or solutions. This level of personalization not only enhances the customer experience but also increases the likelihood of repeat business and customer loyalty. Moreover, it reduces customer effort with the company essentially saving the customer time as well, something that’s always appreciated.

Efficiency Gains for Businesses and Agents

The benefits of GenAI extend beyond customer-facing applications. AI also offers significant efficiency gains for businesses, particularly in terms of operational efficiency and agent productivity and work quality. As AI systems take on more routine tasks, human agents are freed up to focus on higher-value interactions that require reading between the lines, emotional intelligence and dealing with unique edge-cases that cannot be modeled or handled by AI.

Streamlining Routine Tasks

One of the most immediate benefits of Generative AI when combined with Conversational AI is the ability to handle routine, repetitive tasks. Tasks such as answering frequently asked questions, providing order status updates, or troubleshooting common issues can be fully automated using AI. This reduces the burden on human agents, allowing them to focus on more complex and emotionally charged interactions that require empathy and problem-solving skills.

In an AI-first contact center, GenAI agents can handle the majority of tier-one customer service interactions, leaving human agents to focus on more strategic tasks. This improves efficiency but also enhances the employee experience by reducing the monotony of repetitive work.

Agent Copilot and Assistance: Enhancing Agent Performance

In addition to streamlining tasks, AI offers significant support through agent copilot systems, which assist agents in real-time, enhancing their performance and decision-making capabilities. With AI-driven tools that provide relevant information, suggest responses, and guide agents through complex issues, even the most challenging interactions are faster, smoother and more satisfactory for all sides.

An AI-powered agent copilot can instantly pull customer data, recommend next-best actions, and even offer suggested resolutions based on similar past cases. This reduces the cognitive load on agents, allowing them to focus on providing personalized, empathetic service rather than spending time searching for information or troubleshooting.

Moreover, this assistance ensures consistency in responses and minimizes errors, leading to faster resolutions and improved customer satisfaction. By providing real-time support, the AI copilot accelerates the learning curve for new hires and enhances the productivity of seasoned agents, resulting in a more effective and efficient customer service operation.

Overcoming Challenges in GenAI Adoption

While the opportunities presented by GenAI are immense, businesses must also navigate several challenges in its adoption. From ensuring data privacy to addressing concerns about AI bias, businesses must take a thoughtful and strategic approach to implementing GenAI.

·      Data Privacy and Security

With AI systems handling vast amounts of customer data, ensuring data privacy and security is a top priority. Businesses must be transparent about how they are using customer data and ensure compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR. However, major cloud providers are already offering solutions which include options such as private hosting, hosting in specific regions (e.g. within the EU) and the necessary security and privacy compliance required by most companies. The days of having to work directly with an LLM vendor’s model on their server are nearly gone.

·      Balancing Automation with Human Touch

While AI can handle many customer interactions, there are still situations where human intervention is necessary, especially when dealing with complex or emotionally sensitive issues. Businesses must strike the right balance between automation and human touch, ensuring that customers always have the option to speak with a human agent when needed.

The Future of GenAI in Customer Experience

As GenAI continues to evolve, its impact on customer experience will only grow. In the near future, AI systems will become even more capable of understanding and responding to customer emotions, allowing for more natural and empathetic interactions. AI-powered systems will also become more proactive, engaging with customers before they even realize they need help.

The future of customer experience is AI-first. Businesses that embrace this shift and invest in GenAI will be better positioned to meet the growing expectations of their customers, improve operational efficiency, and drive revenue growth. However, those that delay adopting AI risk falling behind, as the gap between AI-driven companies and those relying on traditional customer service models continues to widen.

In conclusion, while challenges exist, the opportunities presented by GenAI are immense. Companies must adapt and leverage AI to stay competitive and meet the evolving needs of their customers. As technology continues to advance, GenAI will become an essential tool for delivering personalized, efficient, and proactive customer experiences across all sectors.

[compsci-haikus]

Recall the Recall

Recall the Recall! We'll give your privacy back… but it's an "opt-out".

[websyn]

Protect your digital infrastructure with Microsoft Security Copilot. Integrate AI-driven security and enhance threat detection with Web Synergies.

[bob3160]

Copilots educated AI advances in Cybersecurity expected in 2024 - Update

[leveragehunters]

CoPilot in MS Word

I opened Word yesterday to discover that it now contains CoPilot. It follows you as you type and if you have a personal Microsoft 365 account, you can't turn it off. You will be given 60 AI credits per month and you can't opt out of it.

The only way to banish it is to revert to an earlier version of Office. There is lot of conflicting information and overly complex guides out there, so I thought I'd share the simplest way I found.

How to revert back to an old version of Office that does not have CoPilot

This is fairly simple, thankfully, presuming everything is in the default locations. If not you'll need to adjust the below for where you have things saved.

Click the Windows Button and S to bring up the search box, then type cmd. It will bring up the command prompt as an option. Run it as an administrator.

Paste this into the box at the cursor: cd "\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun"

Hit Enter

Then paste this into the box at the cursor: officec2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.17726.20160

Hit enter and wait while it downloads and installs.

VERY IMPORTANT. Once it's done, open Word, go to File, Account (bottom left), and you'll see a box on the right that says Microsoft 365 updates. Click the box and change the drop down to Disable Updates.

This will roll you back to build 17726.20160, from July 2024, which does not have CoPilot, and prevent it from being installed.

If you want a different build, you can see them all listed here. You will need to change the 17726.20160 at step 4 to whatever build number you want.

This is not a perfect fix, because while it removes CoPilot, it also stops you receiving security updates and bug fixes.

Switching from Office to LibreOffice

At this point, I'm giving up on Microsoft Office/Word. After trying a few different options, I've switched to LibreOffice.

You can download it here for free: https://www.libreoffice.org/

If you like the look of Word, these tutorials show you how to get that look:

www.howtogeek.com/788591/how-to-make-libreoffice-look-like-microsoft-office/

www.debugpoint.com/libreoffice-like-microsoft-office/

If you've been using Word for awhile, chances are you have a significant custom dictionary. You can add it to LibreOffice following these steps.

First, get your dictionary from Microsoft

Go to Manage your Microsoft 365 account: account.microsoft.com.

One you're logged in, scroll down to Privacy, click it and go to the Privacy dashboard.

Scroll down to Spelling and Text. Click into it and scroll past all the words to download your custom dictionary. It will save it as a CSV file.

Open the file you just downloaded and copy the words.

Open Notepad and paste in the words. Save it as a text file and give it a meaningful name (I went with FromWord).

Next, add it to LibreOffice

Open LibreOffice.

Go to Tools in the menu bar, then Options. It will open a new window.

Find Languages and Locales in the left menu, click it, then click on Writing aids.

You'll see User-defined dictionaries. Click New to the right of the box and give it a meaningful name (mine is FromWord).

Hit Apply, then Okay, then exit LibreOffice.

Open Windows Explorer and go to C:\Users\[YourUserName]\AppData\Roaming\LibreOffice\4\user\wordbook and you will see the new dictionary you created. (If you can't see the AppData folder, you will need to show hidden files by ticking the box in the View menu.)

Open it in Notepad by right clicking and choosing 'open with', then pick Notepad from the options.

Open the text file you created at step 5 in 'get your dictionary from Microsoft', copy the words and paste them into your new custom dictionary UNDER the dotted line.

Save and close.

Reopen LibreOffice. Go to Tools, Options, Languages and Locales, Writing aids and make sure the box next to the new dictionary is ticked.

If you use LIbreOffice on multiple machines, you'll need to do this for each machine.

Please note: this worked for me. If it doesn't work for you, check you've followed each step correctly, and try restarting your computer. If it still doesn't work, I can't provide tech support (sorry).