Sunday, September 29, 2024

How I Reclaimed My Hacked LinkedIn Account

A man holding a laptop that says You have been hacked. This shows about getting LinkedIn account hacked

Hacked LinkedIn account on a Saturday morning. On a weekend that should have been spent chilling. Picture this: you roll out of bed, do a few stretches to loosen some muscles, check emails, and casually open  LinkedIn, only to be hit with a shocking sight—hacked LinkedIn account! Your profile is now an alternate version of reality. Your job experience? Poof, gone. Your photo? Replaced with a funny face with too much makeup applied to it. And everything is written in Chinese! I've never felt that irritated seeing Chinese characters populating every corner of my LinkedIn profile. And I thought I had all the cyberscecurity loopholes fixed for me!

The Horror Unfolds

It all started on a regular Saturday, just like any other, when I realized my LinkedIn profile had been hijacked. My carefully curated professional history had vanished into thin air, replaced by… nothing. My profile picture had morphed into the ridiculous face of a stranger, and the entire page was now in Chinese. I couldn’t help but feel like I had been thrown into a parallel universe where my career just didn’t exist.

The LinkedIn Hacked Account Recovery Mission

But instead of panicking, I channeled my inner detective and prepared to reclaim my hacked LinkedIn account with a smile (and a pack of chilled lasagna). Here's how the great LinkedIn comeback unfolded:

1.  Activate Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Step one was enabling 2FA, which added a secret handshake to my LinkedIn login. Now, anyone trying to access my account would need not just my password but also a code sent to my phone. Extra security for the win!

2.  Rebuild My Profile (The Hard Way): With 2FA locked and loaded, it was time to do the painstaking work of manually rebuilding my profile. Think of it as writing my career autobiography from scratch. I reset the language back to English, swapped out the fake photo for my own, and started adding my job experience one by one. Annoying? Yes. But also a fun walk down memory lane. So, that’s goodbye to a hacked LinkedIn account and hello to a better profile.

3.  Create a Stronger Password:  I went full fortress mode with a new, super-strong password, mixing in letters, numbers, and symbols like a hacker-proof cocktail.

Why Did It Happen?

Turns out, I’m not the only one who’s been through this digital nightmare. LinkedIn hacks aren’t just the stuff of tech folklore—they’re a real and present danger. In 2012, there were over 6.5 HackedLinkedIn accounts. Fast forward to 2021, and data from 700 million LinkedInusers was found up for sale on hacker forums. Thankfully, LinkedIn has since beefed up its security, encouraging all of us to enable 2FA and embrace strong passwords like true cyber warriors.

Alright, I did not activate the 2FA before so it must really been that easy to get hold of my account. So, how did my account get caught in this mess? Well, here are a few possible culprits:

  • Weak Passwords: I must have clicked a fake link associated with my LinkedIn account so that I practically invited hackers into my profile. 
  • Phishing Scams: Those shady emails asking for personal details? Yes, clicking on them can hand hackers the keys to your account.
  • Data Breaches: If a site you use gets hacked, and you’ve used the same password for LinkedIn, congratulations—you’ve just given hackers a shortcut to your profile. 

But, really, I am still confused as to how my account got hacked. I have a unique password for LinkedIn and I also did not click on any dubious links. I am planning to do an online activity audit on my laptop to check for any suspicious activities before the Saturday hacking incident. Maybe, this would answer the questions that are still hanging in the air for me. Until then, I am more bent to believe that my hacked LinkedInaccount must have been because of a data breach similar to the 2021 incident. 

And, I should read up on cybersecurity best practices because after this, I feel like I have turned rusty from the core. I keep asking myself what I have missed out and that this happened to me. 

Tips to Avoid Future Hacked LinkedIn Account

To avoid a LinkedIn account from becoming a hacker's next target, follow these tips:

  • Enable 2FA: Always add that extra layer of security.
  • Use Strong, Unique Passwords: No more reusing passwords across multiple sites.
  • Watch Out for Phishing: Be skeptical of suspicious emails and never click on shady links.
  • Regularly Update Passwords: Refresh your passwords periodically to stay ahead of hackers.

Reclaiming my hacked LinkedIn account was frustrating, especially since I had to manually type my whole professional experience. But, it taught me a valuable lesson: online security is no joke. So, if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, stay calm, enable 2FA, and rebuild your profile like a pro. In the end, every adventure—digital or not—has its highs and lows, and this one was nothing short of a rollercoaster.

Additional  Reminders to Never Lose Data in Case of Hacking

I had a hard time recovering my profile data after it was hacked. So, you might want to do the following to avoid losing information: 

  1. Backup Your Data. Whatever article posts or images you post on Social Media. Make sure you have them backed up. Google Drive is a nice tool for your files. 
  2. Download Your LinkedIn Profile. This is a very helpful tool in order to have your data safely tucked. Just go to your profile, Click on the Resources Button and choose Save to PDF. 
  3. Download Your LinkedIn Videos. You can use ClipGrab for this. ClipGrab is free so you should not have any problems. 
  4. Save a Copy of Your Data on LinkedIn. This lets you save all your articles, posts, profiles, connections and recommendations. Select whichever you think is necessary. 
This is a screenshot of the Save a Copy of Your Data in LinkedIn. It is a helpful tool to use just in case your account get hacked, you'll have your data still intact.


The possibility of losing data is part of our online life. Cybersecurity risks are part of it all. With advanced hacking tools that exploit Artificial Intelligence to find loopholes in cybersecurity measures, it becomes easier for hackers. And once we become victims of these attacks, they can harm our online content in a way we do not expect. The best way to make sure they won't be lost is to do the steps above. No matter how careful and how you follow the rules on online security, sometimes there are people who just know how to get around cybersecurity loopholes. They have advanced tools and when we miss out on important aspects, we become vulnerable. So, to protect yourself further, backup your data and live your lfie online worry-free. 

Sunday, September 22, 2024

How AI helps you get hired

 Ethnic businessman shaking hand of applicant in office. This shows how a woman have gotten a job offer because of AI tools she used.

Image courtesy of Sora Shimazaki via Pexels

Remember the days of staring at a blank computer screen, feeling overwhelmed by the thought of writing a resume? Well, those days might be over thanks to a new wave of Artifiical Intelligence tools that are helping job seekers like you land those dream jobs. We have previously talked about how AI helps you with getting viral content and optimizing graphics editing, but we are going to discuss something more practical in this world of high competitiveness and search for better professional growth.


It's no secret that job hunting can feel like climbing Mount Everest - it's tough, it's stressful, and sometimes it feels like you're just spinning your wheels. But what if you had a super-powered assistant, one that could help you craft a killer resume, prepare for interviews with confidence, and even identify the perfect jobs for your skills? That's what Artificial Intelligence tools are doing for job seekers today.


AI-Powered: From Job Search to Interview Prep

The Job Search and Resume Crafting

Sarah is a recent college graduate, eager to start her career, but feeling lost in a sea of applications. Her resume felt generic and she wasn't sure how to make it stand out. Then she discovered how AI can help her. She used NodeFlair and CoPilot before she submitted her CV for her job applications. Through these AI tools, she was able to create a personalized resume that actually captured her unique skills and experiences. Sarah felt empowered and her confidence soared. She started getting more interview calls and, within a few months, landed her dream job!


AI is not just about crafting a perfect resume, it's also about taking the stress out of preparing for interviews. Imagine an AI tool that can analyze your resume, identify your strengths, and practice interview questions with you to help you feel ready and confident.


So, whether you're a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, AI can be your secret weapon in the job hunt. It's about taking control, making yourself stand out, and landing that job you've been dreaming of.



The Interview Prep

Remember that knot in your stomach the moment you get an interview call? You know, the one that makes you feel like you're about to take a big test, even if you're a seasoned professional? Well, AI is here to change that game.


Imagine having a personal coach in your pocket, ready to help you nail that interview. That's what AI-powered interview prep tools do. They're not just about asking practice questions; they're about giving you the confidence to shine.


Take James, for example. He was ready for a career shift but felt rusty when it came to interviews in his new industry. He found a fantastic AI coaching tool called Interviewprep-ai, which helped him analyze his resume and identify his strengths. The AI coach even simulated real interview scenarios, giving him personalized feedback on his answers and suggesting strategies to improve his delivery.


Armed with this knowledge, James felt more confident and ready to showcase his skills. He was able to translate his experience into the language of his new field, and guess what? He landed that job!


The beauty of these AI tools is that they go beyond just practice questions. They help you understand what employers are looking for, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and refine your communication style.


So, next time you're facing a job interview, don't just hope for the best. Welcome the power of AI to help you feel confident, prepared, and ready to land that dream job.



The job market is changing, and AI is leading the charge. It's like a whole new game is being played, and those who understand the rules have a huge advantage.


Think of it this way: Aritificial Intelligence is like a powerful new tool that can help you stand out from the crowd. Imagine a world where your resume is optimized to catch the eye of recruiters, where you can practice interview skills with a virtual coach, and where you can even discover hidden job opportunities before anyone else. That's what AI is making possible.


So, instead of just hoping for the best, you can be proactive and learn how to use these tools to your advantage. The key is to stay curious and learn about the latest AI trends. The more you know, the more prepared you'll be to navigate this exciting new world of job searching.


The Real Deal: AI helps you get hired

Remember the days of sending out generic resumes and hoping for the best? Those days are fading fast, thanks to the incredible power of AI.


It's like having a personal assistant, a super-powered coach, and a crystal ball all rolled into one. Artificial Intelligence is making the job hunt more personalized, efficient, and even exciting.


Think about it: AI is helping people like you craft resumes that actually get noticed, prepare for interviews with confidence, and even uncover job opportunities you might have missed. It's like having a secret weapon in your pocket!


The best part is that AI is constantly evolving, meaning even more amazing tools and resources are coming our way. The future of job hunting is all about using technology to your advantage, to make your search more effective, and to land that job you've been dreaming of.


Remember, the future of job hunting is here, and Aritificial Intelligence is your guide. Embrace it, learn it, and watch your job search possibilities expand. With AI, it's an exciting time for job hunting.

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

AI Content Generation: A Challenged Writers Dream or a Creativity Killer?

 

Man in Black Shirt Wearing Red Protective Goggles Sitting beside Man in Black Shirt

Image courtesy of Mikhail Nilov via Pexels

AI content generation has been increasing and so are the eyebrows and fists rising about its effect on originality and creativity. So, let's discuss this controversial topic that is making waves online. Are you on for a debate: Is AI-generated content a blessing or a curse for writers and content creators?

The use of AI in everyday life is now as common as checking Facebook feeds for any interesting stories. Students, job-hunters, creatives, professionals, developers, professors, lecturers, marketers, CEOs, name it and they either use AI tools to automate their everyday tasks or a part of their professional work. But, the use of Artificial Intelligence tools in content generation is creating a controversy that is exploding everywhere online - putting into question what creativity and originality actually mean. While AI tools have been praised for their efficiency and ability to streamline the writing process, there are growing concerns about the impact of AI on the quality and originality of content.

The Problem with AI-Generated Content

One of the main criticisms of AI-generated content is the lack of human touch and creativity. Algorithms can churn out articles at lightning speed, but they often lack the depth and nuance that human writers bring to their work. This can result in bland, generic, and uninspiring content that fails to engage readers.

Another point is the fact that the over-reliance on AI algorithms in content creation can lead to a flood of low-quality and spammy content saturating the internet. This not only devalues the art of writing but also undermines the credibility of online content.

The Effects on Content Creators

For human content creators, the rise of AI-generated content poses a threat of job displacement. As companies turn to AI to produce content more quickly and cost-effectively, the need for human writers may diminish. This can lead to a devaluation of creativity and writing skills, as well as a loss of livelihood for many talented writers. 

Also, the use of AI-generated content can affect trust among audiences. Readers may be skeptical of content that lacks a human touch, leading to decreased engagement and loyalty towards brands and publishers. Are AI content generation tools a lazy writer's dream or a creativity killer? Boredpanda.com has some hilarious and disturbing AI-generated images to share. 

From nonsensical ramblings to hilariously inaccurate information, Aritificial Intelligence has certainly produced some entertaining content. However, these examples also highlight the limitations of AI in capturing the essence of human creativity, humor, and factual information. 

Imagine reading an article written by Aritificial Intelligence that discusses the secret lives of unicorns living on Mars, or a product description that claims a toothbrush can be used as a magical wand. While these examples may elicit a chuckle, they also underscore the importance of human creativity in producing engaging and meaningful content. 

The Future of Content Creation: Finding a Balance

As we look ahead to the future of content creation, it's essential to find a balance between AI technology and human creativity. Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for human writers, we should see it as a tool to support and enhance our creative process. 

Companies should prioritize quality and creativity over quantity when it comes to content creation. By combining the efficiency of AI algorithms with the ingenuity of human writers, we can produce content that resonates with audiences and stands out in a sea of generic content.

Maintaining a human touch in content creation is essential for building trust and connection with readers. While Artificial Intelligence may have its place in the writing world, it should never overshadow the value of human creativity and storytelling.

Conclusion

The debate over AI-generated content is far from over. While AI technology offers efficiency and convenience, it also presents challenges in terms of creativity and quality. As content creators, it's important to approach AI with a critical eye and ensure that our work maintains a human touch.

By finding a balance between Artificial Intelligence technology and human creativity, we can harness the power of both to produce engaging and meaningful content that resonates with audiences. Let's embrace the opportunities that AI offers while preserving the art of storytelling and creativity that makes our work truly unique.