I decided to see how I could use ChatGPT, free version, to write this months column. I didn’t end up really saving time, I had to refine the prompt a few times for each topic to get something I liked. I “could” have just gone with the first result but I would not have been as happy.
So here is one of my prompts:
How can ad blockers help prevent malware, add information about role of VPNs and include information about how ads are bid for in the background. keep it under 150 words.
Answer:
Ad blockers help protect you from malware by blocking malicious ads—known as malvertising—before they load. These harmful ads can infect your device just by appearing on a webpage, no clicks needed. Many of them enter websites through real-time bidding, an automated auction system where ad space is sold in milliseconds. This fast, behind-the-scenes process often lacks thorough security checks, making it easy for cybercriminals to sneak in malware.
VPNs play a different role: they hide your IP address and encrypt your internet traffic, protecting your privacy. However, VPNs don’t block dangerous content. That’s why pairing a VPN with an ad blocker offers stronger protection—one guards your identity, the other shields you from online threats.
Second prompt:
Summarize https://lifehacker.com/disable-acr-to-stop-your-smart-tv-from-tracking-what-you-watch in under 200 words, include how to fix.
Answer:
Many smart TVs use a feature called ACR (Automatic Content Recognition) to track what you watch—even from connected devices—for targeted ads. Disabling ACR stops this data collection. Each brand calls it something different, like “Viewing Data” or “Live Plus.” To turn it off, go to your TV’s settings, locate privacy or viewing data options, and disable ACR. For step-by-step instructions by brand, visit the full article: Lifehacker: How to Disable ACR on Your Smart TV. <https://lifehacker.com/disable-acr-to-stop-your-smart-tv-from-tracking-what-you-watch>
Third prompt:
In less than 100 words explain how to get back the old iPhone mail look including getting rid of contact photos.
Answer:
To restore the old iPhone Mail look in iOS 18.2, open the Mail app, tap the three-dot icon at the top right, and select “List View” to switch back to the classic layout. To remove contact photos, go to Settings > Mail, then toggle off “Show Contact Photos.” This will bring back the simpler, cleaner inbox appearance without profile pictures beside emails. For the classic unread count badge, go to Settings > Mail > Notifications > Customize Notifications, and select “All Unread Messages” under Badge Count. These steps will make your Mail app look and feel like it used to.
Fourth prompt:
In less than 150 words tell me how to reduce post processing of photos on iPhone and include advantages of less post processing
Answer:
To reduce post-processing of photos on your iPhone, turn off features like Smart HDR and Photographic Styles. Go to Settings > Camera > Smart HDR and toggle it off. For iPhone 13 and newer, open the Camera app, tap the arrow at the top, select Photographic Styles, and choose Standard or create a custom style with less contrast and tone.
Using RAW mode (available on iPhone Pro models via the Camera app or third-party apps like Halide) captures unprocessed images, giving you full control in editing.
Advantages: Less post-processing means more natural-looking images, better preservation of skin tones and textures, and more editing flexibility. It also avoids the overly bright or sharpened look sometimes caused by automatic enhancements.
Don’t be surprised if you try the same prompt on another day and find a different answer.