ChatGPT Prompting

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This article is an excerpt from the book, ChatGPT for Cybersecurity Cookbook, by Clint Bodungen. Master ChatGPT and the OpenAI API, and harness the power of cutting-edge generative AI and large language models to revolutionize the way you perform penetration testing, threat detection, and risk assessment.

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the basics of ChatGPT prompting using the ChatGPT interface, which is different from the OpenAI Playground we used in the previous recipe. The advantage of using the ChatGPT interface is that it does not consume account credits and is better suited for generating formatted output, such as writing code or creating tables. 

Getting ready 

To use the ChatGPT interface, you will need to have an active OpenAI account. If you haven't already, please set up your ChatGPT account. 

How to do it… 

In this recipe, we'll guide you through using the ChatGPT interface to generate a Python script that retrieves a user's public IP address. By following these steps, you'll learn how to interact with ChatGPT in a conversation-like manner and receive context-aware responses, including code snippets. 

Now, let's proceed with the steps in this recipe: 

1. In your browser, go to https://chat.openai.com and click “Log in” 

2. Log in using your OpenAI credentials. 

3. Once you are logged in, you will be taken to the ChatGPT interface. The interface is similar to a chat application, with a text box at the bottom where you can enter your prompts.  

Figure – The ChatGPT interface 

4. ChatGPT uses a conversation-based approach, so you can simply type your prompt as a message and press "Enter" or click the       button to receive a response from the model. For example, you can ask ChatGPT to generate a piece of Python code to find the public IP address of a user: 

 
Figure – Entering a prompt 

ChatGPT will generate a response containing the requested Python code, along with a thorough explanation. 

 
Figure – ChatGPT response with code 

5. Continue the conversation by asking follow-up questions or providing additional information, and ChatGPT will respond accordingly. 

 
Figure – ChatGPT contextual follow-up response 

6. Run the ChatGPT generated code by clicking on “Copy code”, paste it into your code editor of choice (I personally use Visual Studio Code), save it as a “.py” Python script, and run from a terminal. 

PS D:\GPT\ChatGPT for Cybersecurity Cookbook> python .\my_ip.py 
Your public IP address is:  
Your local network IP address is: 192.168.1.105 

Figure – Running the ChatGPT generated script  

How it works… 

By using the ChatGPT interface to enter prompts, you can generate context-aware responses and content that continues over the course of an entire conversation like a chatbot. The conversation-based approach allows for more natural interactions and the ability to ask follow-up questions or provide additional context. The responses can even include complex formatting such as code snippets or tables (more on tables later). 

There’s more… 

As you become more familiar with ChatGPT, you can experiment with different prompt styles, instructions, and contexts to obtain the desired output for your cybersecurity tasks. You can also compare the results generated through the ChatGPT interface and the OpenAI Playground to determine which approach best fits your needs. 

Tip:

You can further refine the generated output by providing very clear and specific instructions or using roles. It also helps to divide complex prompts into several smaller prompts, giving ChatGPT one instruction per prompt, building on the previous prompts as you go. 

In the upcoming recipes, we will delve into more advanced prompting techniques that utilize these techniques to help you get the most accurate and detailed responses from ChatGPT. 

As you interact with ChatGPT, your conversation history is automatically saved in the left panel of the ChatGPT interface. This feature allows you to easily access and review your previous prompts and responses. 

By leveraging the conversation history feature, you can keep track of your interactions with ChatGPT and quickly reference previous responses for your cybersecurity tasks or other projects. 

Figure – Conversation history in the ChatGPT interface 

To view a saved conversation, simply click on the desired conversation in the left panel. You can also create new conversations by clicking on the "+ New chat" button located at the top of the conversation list. This enables you to separate and organize your prompts and responses based on specific tasks or topics. 

Caution 

Keep in mind that when you start a new conversation, the model loses the context of the previous conversation. If you want to reference any information from a previous conversation, you will need to include that context in your new prompt. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, this article has unveiled the power of ChatGPT and its conversation-driven approach, making complex tasks like retrieving your public IP address a breeze. With step-by-step guidance, you've learned to harness ChatGPT's capabilities and enjoy context-aware responses, all while keeping your account credits intact. As you dive deeper into the world of ChatGPT, you'll discover its versatility in various applications and the potential to optimize your cybersecurity endeavors. By mastering ChatGPT's conversational prowess, you're on the path to seamless, productive interactions and a future filled with AI-driven possibilities.

Author Bio

Clint Bodungen is a cybersecurity professional with 25+ years of experience and the author of Hacking Exposed: Industrial Control Systems. He began his career in the United States Air Force and has since many of the world's largest energy companies and organizations, working for notable cybersecurity companies such as Symantec, Kaspersky Lab, and Booz Allen Hamilton. He has published multiple articles, technical papers, and training courses on cybersecurity and aims to revolutionize cybersecurity education using computer gaming (“gamification”) and AI technology. His flagship product, ThreatGEN® Red vs. Blue, is the world’s first online multiplayer cybersecurity simulation game, designed to teach real-world cybersecurity.