How to Stay Safe Online While Using AI

Pick a Secure AI Platform

It sounds basic, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t check where they’re using AI tools. First things first—make sure the AI tool is running on a safe platform. That little “HTTPS” in a web address? That means the site’s encrypted, which is basically a lock on your data. If a site doesn’t have it? Red flag.

Tips to stay safer:

• Download a VPN. A VPN is like a cover of hiddenness for your internet activity. It also helps protect your personal data from being tracked or intercepted, especially on public networks.
• Keep your antivirus software up to date. It helps sniff out any sneaky threats AI platforms might bring. New malware pops up all the time, so regular updates ensure your device stays protected.

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Stay Sharp – AI Can Be Used Against You

Not trying to scare anyone, but AI isn’t just used for good — hackers love it, too. These tools make it way too easy to create realistic fake videos, deepfake voices, and even super-convincing phishing scams. Some AI models, like ChatGPT, try to block bad actors from misusing them, but hackers find ways around that. They can generate malware, fake emails, and even scam people by sounding exactly like someone you trust.

So, what do you do? Stay aware. If something seems sketchy—an email, a message, or even a video—double-check it before trusting it.

Keep Your Personal Info Out of AI Tools

This one’s big. AI chatbots and tools don’t just forget what you tell them. A lot of them store data for days, sometimes longer. If hackers get into those servers, they can steal whatever’s in there. That means if you typed in personal info—like your full name, address, or passwords—it’s out there, possibly up for grabs.

Not to mention, laws around data privacy are getting stricter. If you accidentally upload sensitive data, you could be violating privacy policies without even realizing it. Play it safe: if you wouldn’t share it with a stranger, don’t put it in an AI chatbot.

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Don’t Trust AI to Always Be Right

Here’s something a lot of people don’t think about—AI isn’t magic. It doesn’t “know” things the way people do. It just pulls from existing data, and sometimes that data is wrong, outdated, or just plain biased.

Bad actors can even feed AI incorrect data on purpose to manipulate results. That means AI-generated answers, articles, and even code might not be 100% reliable. If you’re using AI for important decisions—especially business-related ones—always fact-check. Even programmers using AI-generated code need to go over it carefully because errors can creep in, leading to security flaws.

A helpful trick is to use tools like Google Transparency Report’s Safe Browsing to double-check AI-generated content. It helps flag suspicious sites and misinformation so you don’t fall for fake stuff.

Hackers Are Getting Smarter – So Should You

Cybercriminals have figured out how to use AI in scary ways. Deepfake tech can mimic someone’s voice almost perfectly, which means scammers can literally call you pretending to be a friend or family member. There have even been cases of fake kidnapping scams where criminals use AI-generated voices to demand ransom money. It’s wild.

They also use AI to spread fake or manipulated images online to ruin reputations or commit fraud. It’s never been easier to fake something that looks real. That’s why staying up to date on cybersecurity isn’t optional anymore—it’s necessary.

One easy way to protect yourself? Follow “The Core Four” security habits:

• Use strong, unique passwords (yes, even though they’re annoying to remember).
• Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) whenever possible.
• Keep your software updated—those updates aren’t just annoying pop-ups, they fix security holes.
• Report phishing scams when you see them. It helps shut down cybercriminals before they trick someone else.

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Be Cautious of AI-created misinformation

AI has made it incredibly easy to generate fake news articles, altered images, and misleading information. Scammers and bad actors use AI to spread misinformation for political, financial, or personal gain. Sometimes, these false reports are designed to manipulate public opinion or even tank a company’s stock value.

How do you protect yourself? Always verify information before believing or sharing it. Cross-check news stories with multiple reliable sources. If an article or social media post seems too outrageous to be true, it probably is. AI is powerful, but that means it can be used to deceive just as easily as it can be used to inform.

Bottom Line

AI is incredible, but it’s also a tool that bad actors can abuse. A little caution goes a long way. Keep your data locked down, think twice before trusting AI-generated content, and always stay one step ahead of the scammers. Cybersecurity isn’t just for tech geeks anymore—it’s something we all need to take seriously.