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Smashing Security podcast 448: Bad news, ChatGPT is hallucinating again, + cybercrime gangs go phishing – January 2026

Author/Source: Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault See the full link here

Takeaway

This article talks about three different security topics discussed in a podcast. You’ll learn about how AI can make up facts, how online criminals are getting better at tricking people, and how one person almost fell for a phone scam.


Technical Subject Understandability

Beginner


Analogy/Comparison

Using ChatGPT that “hallucinates” is like asking a friend for directions and they confidently tell you to turn left when you should turn right, and even make up street names that don’t exist.


Why It Matters

This topic matters because it shows how important it is to be careful online and with new technologies. For example, the article mentions lawyers getting into trouble for using ChatGPT to write legal documents that included made-up case citations, which can cause serious problems in court. Also, understanding phishing and vishing helps people avoid losing money or personal information to scammers, like the listener who was targeted by a phone scam trying to get bank details.


Related Terms

ChatGPT “hallucinations”, Phishing, Vishing. Jargon Conversion: ChatGPT “hallucinations” means when an artificial intelligence program, like ChatGPT, makes up information or facts that are not true, often sounding very confident about it. Phishing is when tricksters try to get your personal information, like passwords or bank details, by sending fake emails or messages that look real. Vishing is a type of scam where tricksters call you on the phone, pretending to be from a trusted company or bank, to get you to give them sensitive information.

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