Issue #192 | Subscribe

With ChatGPT Atlas in the scene, there's been a steady number of AI browsers popping up recently.

I've tried most of these major browsers — Atlas, Comet, and Dia — but none of them have stuck, particularly for two reasons:

First, I like browsing the Web, and a browser automating that for me doesn't sit well with me.

Sure, there are cases where automating a few steps with these browsers could be helpful and time-saving, but I haven't had a considerable list of such cases yet.

Secondly — and it's the most important one — is safety and privacy.

Last month, Brave released a report showing how easily these browsers can be tricked into farming sensitive user information via an attack called prompt injection.

With this approach, hackers can embed hidden instructions for the LLM operating the browser, effectively tricking it into stealing sensitive information and uploading the collected data on a hacker's website.

These instructions are often visually unrecognisable to us, but easily detected by LLMs via character recognition.

Now, if you have the browser opened in front of you, you can spot any unauthorised activities and intervene, but the entire point of these browsers is that you can offload a task to them, switch apps, and do your work while the browser does what it's told.

Situations like these make it challenging to spot such attacks before it's too late.

Therefore, here's how I would go about using these browsers:

For the rare occasions when I need automated browsing, I would prefer tasks that don't require logging into any of my accounts and are primarily for research or other anonymous browsing.

If I need to automate a task that requires login, I'd only automate stuff where any damage done is minimal, and never use these browsers on bank websites, email, etc.

If you've been using these browsers for your work, think about whether you're giving them too broad a peek into your sensitive information.

Sometimes, convenience now can lead to pain later on.

Now, before you move on to the rest of this newsletter issue, here are a few words from:

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Your Next Read

Thriving

Walden & Civil Disobedience

Thoreau's simple lifestyle in 1845 can still serve as an inspiration for us to question what we truly value and live a calmer life.

Apps & Services

Thru

Virtually hike the Pacific Crest Trail

This is a fun, upcoming app that pulls your walking activity from Apple Health to plot a virtual walking route on the PCT. Based on your recorded walking distance, you can replay a cute character hiking the trail and collect badges. Available on iOS via Testflight beta access.
Zen Browser

A fast browser with modern features

If you’ve used the Arc browser before, this one will feel right at home. The interface and features are exactly like Arc's, but instead of Chrome, it’s based on Firefox’s Gecko engine. While the team behind the browser is quite active, the browser is still in its early stages, and I would use it as a secondary browser. Available on all major desktop platforms for free.
Koco Widgets

Decorate your phone with beautiful widgets

This app has a ton of well-designed widgets and live activities for a variety of metrics and occasions. If you use widgets on your phone, try this out. Available on iOS for $14.99 one-time. Tip: I'm unsure whether this works every time, but opening and cancelling the in-app purchase reduces the price to $9.99 one-time.

Handy Shortcut

⌘

⇧

P

Open the quick commands bar in the Brave app.

Interesting Reads

The Secret Father of Modern Computing

25 min read

I loved reading this deep dive on Ed Roberts and how he sparked the generation of personal computers that are an indispensable part of our daily lives nowadays.
100 Ways to Use a Pocket Notebook

11 min read

Pocket notebooks are awesome, and here’s a crowdsourced list of ideas on what people write in their pocket notebooks. If you’re getting into the habit of analogue notetaking, this list could be a good starting point.
Why AI Gets Stuck in Infinite Loops — But Conscious Minds Don’t

12 min read

Intelligence and consciousness are different things. While today’s AI models can be technically called intelligent, they’re far from being conscious, and that’s where the difference in human vs machine decision-making starts showing.
Different Kinds of Smart

5 min read

The barbell personality mentioned in this article is a fantastic guideline to work with, not just in business but also in personal life and career choices. And there’s more in this article.

Watch Next

This short film about a woman sailing alone for 164 days on the Atlantic is one of the best things I’ve watched recently.

Other Good Newsletters

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