Do you think using a fake username helps you stay anonymous online? Thanks to AI, that anonymity may be a thing of the past. But there are still ways to protect yourself from being detected by AI.
The Large Language Model (LLM) introduces a method for decoding online identities.
While you might be wondering whether your secret identity on Reddit is truly secret, AI chatbots can accurately link fake users to their real identities.
Thanks to LLM (large language modeling) , researchers achieved a success rate of over 60% in identifying the real users behind seemingly anonymous usernames on Hacker News and Reddit. And if asked to guess, the accuracy rate was around 90%.
And as we all know, AI is becoming increasingly sophisticated, so these numbers are likely to increase.
The research team includes Anthropic, ETH Zurich, and MATS. Together, they created the ESRC methodology. This is a simpler way of saying that AI automatically extracts clues, searches, infers, and corrects.
Normally, uncovering someone's true identity requires advanced skills and a significant amount of time. Now, it takes only a few hours at most. LLM systems scan thousands of websites to compare similarities between posts, such as:
- Writing style
- Personality and tone
- Grammar error
- Hobbies and interests
- Referring to a common location
- Common complaints
Regardless of the username you use, these AI chatbots can match anonymous posts with public posts using your real identity.
Remaining anonymous online affects your safety.
At first, this might not seem like a big deal. But imagine if your employer discovered embarrassing posts you made years ago under a different identity. What if a background check could match you to all those anonymous posts you've made over the years?
Matching your real identity to posts you never want to be associated with can jeopardize your job, destroy existing relationships, help online harassers find you, and even help stalkers or out-of-control users discover your real location.
We should all have the right to a certain degree of anonymity online, especially for greater safety. But that is becoming increasingly difficult.
Start using a VPN or the Tor browser!
You may not realize it, but no matter where you post, websites track your IP address , location, and other information. Your browser even creates a "fingerprint" to identify you. AI chatbots can collect this data, making it easier to compare your anonymous identity with your real identity.
A VPN helps hide your real IP address and location. You should use a VPN when using public Wi-Fi. It's important to note that VPNs don't hide everything and won't make you completely anonymous. For example, they don't block cookies or hide any content you post publicly.
Another option is to use the Tor browser . It redirects your traffic through relay servers around the world to keep your browsing more anonymous. At least if you post under an anonymous username, your real location won't be tracked. Install it on a USB drive to use anywhere. Or, try an alternative browser to Tor.
However, VPNs and the Tor browser only truly help you stay anonymous online when combined with other methods.
Hide all personal information
Even when trying to remain anonymous, it's easy to inadvertently mention genuine aspects of yourself. For example, you might talk about favorite hobbies or experiences. You might mention having lived in a particular city or worked with a specific employer.
Always keep all personal information private. Never share anything truthful about yourself. It's tempting, but every personal detail, no matter how small, can be used to identify your true identity. The more personal information you share, the easier it is for LLMs to accurately identify you.
If possible, go back to any posts you've made anonymously and remove any personal information from those posts and your profile.
Delete old posts and fake profiles.
It's very possible that your old posts and fake profiles provide AI chatbots with some clues about your real identity. If you don't want anything to harm your real identity, delete everything you've created anonymously.
This might not be possible in some cases. But if possible, try to make a list of any fake profiles and usernames you've used. List all the websites where you've posted anonymously. Then, delete everything.
Use search engines to help you find any mentions of the username you used. Try these tips for Google experts to dig deeper and find where you've been operating with your fake anonymous identity.
Using AI to create unique identities
Since AI is tracking users, why not leverage it to help you maintain online anonymity? Before posting anything, ask the AI to help create a fake identity and use it to generate responses.
This helps to remove your own writing style and personality, reducing the risk that your anonymous posts will sound authentic.
You should create a fake account with ChatGPT or another alternative website. Don't provide any real personal details. Also, use a VPN or the Tor browser to register and use it!
Maintain online anonymity even with AI.
AI isn't perfect, so there are still ways to maintain anonymity even as LLMs attempt to orchestrate a mass online identity-breaking attack. It might be more difficult, but it's still possible.
The advice is to always think carefully before posting anything online. You might think no one will know it's you, but artificial intelligence (AI) can detect it. If you absolutely must post anonymously, combine all these tips to protect your true identity.