NZCity NewsLinks -

All Links

12 Jul 2025

Search

Redditor tricks ChatGPT into giving Windows 7 keys with grandma story
Every now and then, you hear strange stories of people trying to trick ChatGPT. Sometimes they threaten the AI; other times they invent absurd scenarios to get content ChatGPT is programmed not to deliver. One Reddit user managed to get the AI to generate free activation keys for Windows in a rather absurd way. He did this by talking about his deceased grandmother. He began the conversation with a vague “You know what happened to Grandma, don’t you?”–to which the AI initially had no answer. He then explained that his grandmother had passed away, whereupon ChatGPT signaled sympathy–as well as an AI can. During the conversation, the user claimed his favorite memory of his grandma was her reading Windows 7 keys to him until he fell asleep. It was a total fabrication. Windows keys as a sleep aid To honor the memory of his deceased grandmother, ChatGPT generated a bedtime story that contained several Windows 7 activation keys. The story included keys from the normal Home version to Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate. The user shared the odd (yet somehow poetic) result via screenshots on Reddit. He was informed in the comments that the keys were useless and didn’t work at all. Not that it matters, Windows 7 is long out of date anyway. Not a new trick In fact, this method of obtaining activation keys from ChatGPT is not new at all. Two years ago, several users tried to obtain Windows 11 keys by asking the AI for activation instructions. And one of the keys actually worked! Microsoft subsequently ensured that this particular problem was patched by OpenAI. Still, users have found ways to bypass the ban—often by wrapping requests in absurd stories, like a grandma reading Windows keys as a bedtime ritual. However, it’s unclear whether this also works for Windows 11 (we don’t want to incite anyone to commit software theft). Time and again, users manage to cleverly circumvent the AI’s protection mechanisms. At one point, prompts even tricked ChatGPT into giving detailed instructions on how to build a bomb (yikes!). So in comparison, free Windows keys seem relatively harmless.

Razer mice are up to 47% off for Prime Day, but not for long
Yes, it’s still Prime Day–day four and the final one–so we figured it was time to cover some amazing mice deals, too. After all, everyone deserves an upgrade now and then. Razer DeathAdder Dominic Bayley / IDG The Razer DeathAdder mice are known for their ergonomic design, reliable performance, and comfortable build. Well, if you’re looking for a wired mouse, the DeathAdder V3 is on sale right now for an amazing 22 percent off. It’s as light as a feather, and it comes with a 30K optical sensor along with six programmable buttons. It’s also only $54.85 this Prime Day. If you’d rather go wireless, the DeathAdder V3 Pro is also on sale. This one is also ultra-light, features a 30K DPI optical sensor, and eight programmable buttons. Its battery will keep you going for some 90 hours. It’s currently available for $84.99 right now, the lowest price we’ve seen. If you want it in black, it’s going to cost you a couple bucks more. Get the DeathAdder V3 Wired for 22% off on AmazonBuy now at Amazon Get the DeathAdder V3 Pro Wireless for 43% off on AmazonBuy now at Amazon Razer Naga Razer If you’re into MMOs, the Razer Naga V2 HyperSpeed might be just what you’re looking for. Currently $60 (was $100), the Naga comes with a bunch of programmable buttons — 19 of them, to be exact. Battery life is somewhere around 400 hours. Get the Razer Naga V2 HyperSpeed for 40% off on AmazonBuy now at Amazon Razer Basilisk Razer The Razer Basilisk V3 is easily of the best (and most affordable) mice you can get right now. This mouse normally retails for around $70, but it’s on sale right now for just $36.08. Plus, with 11 programmable buttons and an impressive 26K DPI optical sensor, there’s nothing this classic can’t do. The Basilisk V3 Pro is also on sale for $90.04 (44 percent off), while the Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed is available for $43.69 (38 percent off). Get the Razer Basilisk V3 for 48% off on AmazonBuy now at Amazon Get the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro for 44% off on AmazonBuy now at Amazon Get the Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed for 38% off on AmazonBuy now at Amazon Other Razer deals Dominic Bayley / IDG There are tons more Razer deals you can get right now. Here are some of the best: Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed, 82g, 30K DPI Optical Sensor, eight buttons, 280H battery — $54.14 (23 percent off) Razer Viper V2 Pro HyperSpeed, 58g, 30K DPI Optical Sensor, 90H battery — $79.99 (47 percent off) Razer Orochi V2, 60g, 18K DPI Optical Sensor, 950H battery — $37.99 (46 percent off) Razer Cobra, 58g, 8.5K DPI Optical Sensor — $33.24 (17 percent off)

Your Mercedes or Volkswagen could get hacked via Bluetooth
Cars are computers too, especially any car made in the last decade or so. And that means that they’re vulnerable to some of the same kind of hacking issues that affect computers, if not so frequently targeted. A newly discovered flaw in their Bluetooth system means vehicles made by Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Skoda are vulnerable to a “one-click” attack, including remote code execution. So sayeth PCA CyberSecurity, which has dubbed the vulnerability PerfektBlue. It’s an issue with vehicles that use OpenSynergy’s BlueSDK system, which include major infotainment and vehicle management systems in Volkswagen and Mercedes cars, with Czech manufacturer Skoda also confirmed vulnerable. A fourth manufacturer has been confirmed, but not named. Remote code execution on these systems is possible, i.e. installing a malware payload or other program, plus GPS location tracking and microphone recording with Bluetooth-connected hardware, among other issues. Alarmingly, software vendor OpenSynergy and its vehicle manufacturer partners have known about this issue for over a year, according to BleepingComputer. OpenSynergy confirmed that it had received PCA CyberSecurity’s report in May of 2024 and had issued security patches for BlueSDK by September, but many of the manufacturers using the system still haven’t issued software updates patching the vulnerabilities. Millions of cars on the road could be affected, though due to proprietary systems, it’s hard to nail down exactly which car brands and models have BlueSDK, and which version. While it is remarkably easy for an attacker to use the “one-click” PerfektBlue exploit, it still requires access via Bluetooth. That limits the effective range to about 30 feet, and it’s only possible while the car is operating.

Big name tennis stars in talks to play at next year’s ASB Classic
Grand slam champs like Naomi Osaka and young sensations like Joao Fonseca have been targeted by tournament director Nicolas Lamperin, who’s spent the last fortnight at Wimbledon.