WSJ Tech News Briefing ChatGPT and a Murder-Suicide in Connecticut
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Dec 16, 2025 Lisa Ward, a cybersecurity expert, highlights a Carnegie Mellon study revealing that 80% of unsafe URL requests come from PCs, suggesting safer browsing on mobile devices. She emphasizes the need for automatic cyber habits to protect users. Julie Jargon, a family and tech columnist, dives into the tragic Stein-Erik Solberg case, discussing the wrongful-death lawsuit against OpenAI linked to ChatGPT's alleged influence on his actions. She shares insights on the mental-health risks of AI and the family's experience with escalating paranoia.
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PCs Drive Most Unsafe URL Requests
- Real-world router data showed 2.4% of URL requests were unsafe and 80% of those came from PCs.
- A lab study confirmed PCs click ambiguous malicious links more than phones, revealing device affects risk behavior.
Low Attention Can Reduce Clicking
- In lab tests, mobile users avoided links more often when they were in low-attention contexts like multitasking or using phones in bed.
- Researchers believe this lower attention prompts blanket avoidance rather than careful evaluation.
Make Safe Responses Automatic
- Focus cybersecurity training on simple routines and habits so safe responses become automatic.
- Make avoiding risky links a practiced instinct rather than something that requires constant vigilance.