Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a bigger part of our daily lives. For example, AI chatbots can help with customer service to AI tools can create unique content. However, AI comes with risks, especially when it comes to sharing personal information. It’s important to understand why you should be cautious about what you share with AI. Learn how to protect yourself from potential threats with these tips.
Be careful about what you share
It’s important to be cautious about what information you share with AI. Many companies use AI chatbots for customer service to help answer questions. While chatbots can be a helpful tool, you should never share sensitive information with them. This includes your social insurance number (SIN), financial information and account credentials. This information can be stolen by cyber criminals if the company’s system is compromised. It’s common for chatbots to ask for details like your account or order number. However, you should not share other sensitive details. If you are asked to share personal information, it’s safer to contact the company directly, like over the phone instead.
Losing control of your information
A big concern about sharing personal information with AI is not knowing how your data will be used or saved. AI tools may share your information with other companies. That means you can’t be sure who has access to your information. Avoid sharing images and information with generative AI services. Once you provide your data, you lose control over where it goes and who can see it.
Also, AI tools learn and improve by analyzing data. Your personal information could be part of that. This information could be used to target you with ads, be sold to other companies or stolen by cyber criminals.
Learn how to spot spoofed websites
Cyber criminals sometimes create spoofed websites – fake websites that look like real ones to steal your money or personal information. And now, it’s not just websites, cyber criminals are creating fake AI tools or AI websites, also to steal personal information. They may do this by creating fake apps or browser extensions. They may make their malicious AI website look legitimate by using script spoofing – using a legitimate website name, but with a typo in it. Once you enter your information on these fake websites, your information gets stolen and could be used for malicious purposes like identity theft or financial fraud.
Spotting fake sites can be difficult as they are very convincing, using the same design, logos and language as the real websites they are pretending to be. Cyber criminals can use AI to create this content, so it’s important to recognize the signs and learn how to spot AI online. Stay cautious and don’t enter personal information on any website that seems suspicious.
Conclusion
As AI continues to play a larger role in our lives, it’s important to stay cautious about the risks, especially when it comes to sharing personal information. Being aware of these risks and taking steps to protect your personal information can help you get cyber safe.