Technology
How Meta AI can be your new digital assistant on the tech giant's platforms
Meta’s artificial intelligence chatbot, powered by Llama 3, is designed to make your online experience smoother and more enjoyable across platforms like Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp. Imagine having a helpful assistant that can quickly answer your questions, provide useful information and even help you create content — all right at your fingertips.
Whether you’re looking for quick facts, inspiration for your next project or just want to explore new topics, Meta AI can be a handy tool.
However, it’s important to stay aware of privacy concerns and the possibility of inaccuracies. We’ll show you how to make the most of Meta’s AI while keeping your personal information safe and ensuring the information you receive is accurate.
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Meta’s AI chatbot (Meta)
Understanding Meta AI’s capabilities
Meta AI is designed to answer questions, provide information and compose content, making it a versatile tool for users. It integrates seamlessly into Meta’s social media platforms, allowing you to interact with it through familiar interfaces. However, the chatbot’s reliance on Meta’s infrastructure has raised privacy concerns, given the company’s history with data management.
Meta’s AI chatbot (Meta)
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Ensuring your privacy when using Meta AI
To maintain your privacy while using Meta AI, you might consider not logging in with your Facebook account. This choice can help keep your personal data more secure, as it limits the amount of information Meta can use for AI training purposes. However, not logging in comes with certain limitations. For instance, you may not be able to save a conversation history or sync chats across different platforms, which could reduce the convenience and functionality of the AI features.
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How to use Meta AI on different platforms
On the Web
Meta AI is accessible through its dedicated website, providing a user-friendly interface for various tasks. You can log in using your Facebook account to save conversation history and sync chats, enhancing your experience. For those concerned about privacy, the site can be used without logging in; however, this may restrict certain features.
Navigate to the site: Open your web browser and go to www.meta.ai. The site is compatible with both mobile and desktop devices.
Sign in for full features: To take full advantage of Meta AI’s capabilities, log in with your Facebook account. This allows you to save your conversation history and access personalized features.
Start a conversation: After logging in, type your queries into the chat box. Meta AI can assist you with a variety of tasks, including generating text, answering questions and providing creative suggestions.
Create visuals: To generate images, type a detailed prompt starting with “Imagine.” For example, “Imagine a tiger wearing a vest drinking tea at a cafe.” Then, submit your prompt by clicking the up arrow. Meta AI will generate four images based on your description, which you can download or modify.
Meta’s AI chatbot (Meta)
Using Meta AI without logging in: If you choose not to log in, you can still interact with Meta AI. However, your conversation history will not be saved, and some functionalities, like generating images, are not available.
Meta’s AI chatbot (Meta)
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On Facebook
Within the Facebook app, Meta AI can help you find information and explore topics related to posts.
Use the Search Function: Within the Facebook app, tap the search icon to interact with Meta AI. You can ask questions or explore topics related to posts without leaving the app.
Verify Information: It’s advisable to verify any factual information obtained because AI-generated responses may not always be accurate.
Meta’s AI chatbot (Meta)
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On Messenger
Meta AI is integrated into Messenger, where it can answer your questions and provide advice.
Start a conversation: In a chat, type @MetaAI to invite Meta AI into the conversation. This allows the AI to provide recommendations, answer questions or offer creative inspiration.
Enhance chats: Use Meta AI to enhance group chats with advice, recommendations or to settle debates.
Meta’s AI chatbot (Meta)
On Instagram
Using Meta AI on Instagram is easy.
Open the App: Launch Instagram on your mobile device and tap the search icon at the bottom of the screen.
Interact with Meta AI: You can either choose one of the suggestions that appears or type in your own query. For instance, if you need skin care tips, type “5 tips for glowing skin” where it says Ask Meta Ai or Search, and then Meta AI will provide answers.
Meta’s AI chatbot (Meta)
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On WhatsApp
Meta AI can be utilized seamlessly in WhatsApp, enhancing your messaging experience.
Access Meta AI: Open WhatsApp and navigate to the Chats screen. Tap on the Ask Meta AI or Search field to start interacting.
Get Suggestions: For example, if planning a vacation, you can ask, “What are some fun activities to do in Bali?” Meta AI will offer tailored suggestions.
Group Chats: In group chats, type “@Meta AI” followed by your question. The AI will respond within the chat, allowing everyone to see the conversation.
Meta’s AI chatbot (Meta)
By using Meta AI across these platforms, you can enhance your social media experience, making it easier to find information and create engaging content.
No off switch for Meta AI
Meta’s recent integration of AI into the search bars of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp has left some users looking for ways to turn it off. Unfortunately, there’s no simple way to disable this new feature.
Meta AI is now a core part of the search functionality across Meta’s platforms. There’s no option in the settings to remove or disable it from the search bars. While this may frustrate users who prefer a more traditional search experience, Meta seems committed to keeping AI as a central part of its apps. If you’re not a fan of the AI suggestions, you can still use the search functions as you normally would. Simply ignore the AI prompts and type your query as usual. The regular search results will still appear alongside any AI-generated suggestions.
It’s worth noting that Meta hasn’t provided an opt-out option for this AI integration. This suggests it views it as an essential part of how search now works across its apps rather than an optional feature.
While some users may need time to adjust to this new AI-powered search experience, it seems Meta AI is here to stay for the foreseeable future. The best approach for now is to learn to work around it if you prefer not to engage with the AI features.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Meta’s AI chatbot is a big game changer in how we interact with technology on social media, offering a variety of helpful features across platforms like Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp. While this tool can enhance your online experience, it’s important to be mindful of privacy concerns and the possibility of inaccuracies in the information it provides. By learning how to use Meta AI effectively and taking care to protect your personal information, you can fully enjoy the benefits of this innovative tool while minimizing risks.
What are your thoughts on the role of AI in our daily lives and how do you see it impacting your interactions on social media and beyond? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
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Technology
Here’s your first look at Kratos in Amazon’s God of War show
Amazon has slowly been teasing out casting details for its live-action adaptation of God of War, and now we have our first look at the show. It’s a single image but a notable one showing protagonist Kratos and his son Atreus. The characters are played by Ryan Hurst and Callum Vinson, respectively, and they look relatively close to their video game counterparts.
There aren’t a lot of other details about the show just yet, but this is Amazon’s official description:
The God of War series storyline follows father and son Kratos and Atreus as they embark on a journey to spread the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye. Through their adventures, Kratos tries to teach his son to be a better god, while Atreus tries to teach his father how to be a better human.
That sounds a lot like the recent soft reboot of the franchise, which started with 2018’s God of War and continued through Ragnarök in 2022. For the Amazon series, Ronald D. Moore, best-known for his work on For All Mankind and Battlestar Galactica, will serve as showrunner. The rest of the cast includes: Mandy Patinkin (Odin), Ed Skrein (Baldur), Max Parker (Heimdall), Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (Thor), Teresa Palmer (Sif), Alastair Duncan (Mimir), Jeff Gulka (Sindri), and Danny Woodburn (Brok).
While production is underway on the God of War series, there’s no word on when it might start streaming.
Technology
300,000 Chrome users hit by fake AI extensions
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Your web browser may feel like a safe place, especially when you install helpful tools that promise to make your life easier. But security researchers have uncovered a dangerous campaign in which more than 300,000 people installed Chrome extensions pretending to be artificial intelligence (AI) assistants. Instead of helping, these fake tools secretly collect sensitive information like your emails, passwords and browsing activity.
They used familiar names like ChatGPT, Gemini and AI Assistant. If you use Chrome and have installed any AI-related extension, your personal information may already be exposed. Even worse, some of these malicious extensions are still available today, putting more people at risk without their knowing.
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More than 300,000 Chrome users installed fake AI extensions that secretly harvested sensitive data. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What you need to know about fake AI extensions
Security researchers at browser security company LayerX discovered a large campaign involving 30 malicious Chrome extensions disguised as AI-powered assistants (via BleepingComputer). Together, these extensions were installed more than 300,000 times by unsuspecting users.
Some of the most popular extensions included names like AI Sidebar with 70,000 users, AI Assistant with 60,000 users, ChatGPT Translate with 30,000 users, and Google Gemini with 10,000 users. Another extension called Gemini AI Sidebar had 80,000 users before it was removed.
These extensions were distributed through the official Chrome Web Store, which made them appear legitimate and trustworthy. Even more concerning, researchers found that many of these extensions were connected to the same malicious server, showing they were part of a coordinated effort.
While some extensions have since been removed, others remain available. This means new users could still unknowingly install them and expose their personal data. Here’s the list of the affected extensions:
- AI Assistant
- Llama
- Gemini AI Sidebar
- AI Sidebar
- ChatGPT Sidebar
- Grok
- Asking ChatGPT
- ChatGBT
- Chat Bot GPT
- Grok Chatbot
- Chat With Gemini
- XAI
- Google Gemini
- Ask Gemini
- AI Letter Generator
- AI Message Generator
- AI Translator
- AI For Translation
- AI Cover Letter Generator
- AI Image Generator ChatGPT
- Ai Wallpaper Generator
- Ai Picture Generator
- DeepSeek Download
- AI Email Writer
- Email Generator AI
- DeepSeek Chat
- ChatGPT Picture Generator
- ChatGPT Translate
- AI GPT
- ChatGPT Translation
- ChatGPT for Gmail
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These malicious tools were listed in the official Chrome Web Store, making them appear legitimate and trustworthy. (LayerX)
How the fake AI Chrome extension attack works
These fake extensions pretend to offer helpful AI features, such as translating text, summarizing emails, or acting as an AI assistant. But behind the scenes, they quietly monitor what you are doing online.
Once installed, the extension gains permission to view and interact with the websites you visit. This allows it to read the contents of web pages, including login screens where you enter your username and password.
In some cases, the extensions specifically targeted Gmail. They could read your email messages directly from your browser, including emails you received and even drafts you were still writing. This means attackers could access private conversations, financial information and sensitive personal details.
The extensions then sent this information to servers controlled by the attackers. Because they loaded content remotely, the attackers could change their behavior at any time without needing to update the extension.
Some versions could also activate voice features through your browser. This could potentially capture spoken conversations near your device and send transcripts back to the attackers.
If you installed one of these extensions, attackers may already have access to extremely sensitive information. This includes your email content, login credentials, browsing habits and possibly even voice recordings.
We reached out to Google for comment, and a spokesperson told CyberGuy that the company “can confirm that the extensions from this report have all been removed from the Google Web Store.”
BROWSER EXTENSION MALWARE INFECTED 8.8M USERS IN DARKSPECTRE ATTACK
Once installed, the extensions could read emails, capture passwords, monitor browsing activity and send the data to attacker-controlled servers. (Bildquelle/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
7 ways you can protect yourself from malicious Chrome extensions
If you have ever installed an AI-related Chrome extension, taking a few simple precautions now can help protect your accounts and prevent further damage.
1) Remove any suspicious or unused browser extensions
On a Windows PC or Mac, open Chrome and type chrome://extensions into the address bar. Review every extension listed. If you see anything unfamiliar, especially AI assistants you don’t remember installing, click “Remove” immediately. Malicious extensions depend on going unnoticed. Removing them stops further data collection and cuts off the attacker’s access to your information.
2) Change your passwords
If you installed any suspicious extension, assume your passwords may be compromised. Start by changing your email password first, since email controls access to most other accounts. Then update passwords for banking, shopping and social media accounts. This prevents attackers from using stolen credentials to break into your accounts.
3) Use a password manager to create and protect strong passwords
A password manager generates unique, complex passwords for each account and stores them securely. This prevents attackers from accessing multiple accounts if one password is stolen. Password managers also alert you if your login credentials appear in known data breaches, helping you respond quickly and protect your identity. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.
4) Install strong antivirus software and keep it active
Good antivirus software can detect malicious browser extensions, spyware, and other hidden threats. It scans your system for suspicious activity and blocks harmful programs before they can steal your information. This adds an important layer of protection that works continuously in the background to keep your device safe. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
5) Use an identity theft protection service
Identity theft protection services monitor your personal data, including email addresses, financial accounts, and Social Security numbers, for signs of misuse. If criminals try to open accounts or commit fraud using your information, you receive alerts quickly. Early detection allows you to act fast and limit financial and personal damage. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com.
6) Keep your browser and computer fully updated
Software updates fix security vulnerabilities that attackers exploit. Enable automatic updates for Chrome and your operating system so you always have the latest protections. These updates strengthen your defenses against malicious extensions and prevent attackers from taking advantage of known weaknesses.
7) Use a personal data removal service
Personal data removal services scan data broker websites that collect and sell your personal information. They help remove your data from these sites, reducing what attackers can find and use against you. Less exposed information means fewer opportunities for criminals to target you with scams, identity theft or phishing attacks.
Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.
Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.
Kurt’s key takeaway
Even tools designed to make your life easier can become tools for cybercriminals. Malicious extensions often hide behind trusted names and convincing features, making them difficult to spot. You can significantly reduce your risk by reviewing your browser extensions regularly, removing anything suspicious and using protective tools like password managers and strong antivirus software.
Have you checked your browser extensions recently? Let us know your thoughts by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Technology
Anthropic refuses Pentagon’s new terms, standing firm on lethal autonomous weapons and mass surveillance
Less than 24 hours before the deadline in an ultimatum issued by the Pentagon, Anthropic has refused the Department of Defense’s demands for unrestricted access to its AI.
It’s the culmination of a dramatic exchange of public statements, social media posts, and behind-the-scenes negotiations, coming down to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s desire to renegotiate all AI labs’ current contracts with the military. But Anthropic, so far, has refused to back down from its two current red lines: no mass surveillance of Americans, and no lethal autonomous weapons (or weapons with license to kill targets with no human oversight whatsoever). OpenAI and xAI had reportedly already agreed to the new terms, while Anthropic’s refusal had led to CEO Dario Amodei being summoned to the White House this week for a meeting with Hegseth himself, in which the Secretary reportedly issued an ultimatum to the CEO to back down by the end of business day on Friday or else.
In a statement late Thursday, Amodei wrote, “I believe deeply in the existential importance of using AI to defend the United States and other democracies, and to defeat our autocratic adversaries. Anthropic has therefore worked proactively to deploy our models to the Department of War and the intelligence community.”
He added that the company has “never raised objections to particular military operations nor attempted to limit use of our technology in an ad hoc manner” but that in a “narrow set of cases, we believe AI can undermine, rather than defend, democratic values” — going on to specifically mention mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons. (Amodei mentioned that “partial autonomous weapons … are vital to the defense of democracy” and that fully autonomous weapons may eventually “prove critical for our national defense,” but that “today, frontier AI systems are simply not reliable enough to power fully autonomous weapons.” He did not rule out Anthropic acquiescing to the military’s use of fully autonomous weapons in the future but mentioned that they were not ready now.)
The Pentagon had already reportedly asked major defense contractors to assess their dependence on Anthropic’s Claude, which could be seen as the first step to designating the company a “supply chain risk” – a public threat that the Pentagon had made recently (and a classification usually reserved for threats to national security). The Pentagon was also reportedly considering invoking the Defense Production Act to make Anthropic comply.
Amodei wrote in his statement that the Pentagon’s “threats do not change our position: we cannot in good conscience accede to their request.” He also wrote that “should the Department choose to offboard Anthropic, we will work to enable a smooth transition to another provider, avoiding any disruption to ongoing military planning, operations, or other critical missions. Our models will be available on the expansive terms we have proposed for as long as required.”
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