4 things you can do to protect yourself from the rising threat of AI
For more than 25 years, I’ve been the “Computer Guy” for friends, family, and colleagues who call when something digital goes sideways. Lately, those calls have changed. The questions used to be about slow computers and forgotten passwords. Now, almost every conversation circles back to the same two words: artificial intelligence . The concern is understandable—and underscored by recent warnings…
Four straightforward actions can help safeguard yourself in an era where artificial intelligence is increasingly prevalent. First and foremost, limit the amount of data you share online. Every time you grant app permissions, complete an online quiz or provide a voice command, you contribute to the data profiles that companies build about you.
Remove unused apps from your phone, and carefully review the permissions of the ones you keep, opting out of any unnecessary data collection. Additionally, refrain from sharing personal details with AI chatbots, particularly those free of charge. Remember, anything you share could potentially be used to train their systems, with data potentially stored, analyzed or even reused in ways you did not intend.
Consider privacy-focused alternatives like proton.com and duck.ai, designed to minimize data collection.
Secondly, develop an acute awareness of AI-generated content. Today, AI can create remarkably realistic fake images, videos, audio and even phishing messages that may appear to be from trusted individuals or organizations. To protect yourself, verify unexpected messages, inspect photos that seem too polished, and pause before reacting to content meant to provoke strong emotions.
Two additional cybersecurity measures are essential. Always use strong, unique passwords for each account, and store them securely in a dedicated password manager. This way, if one password is compromised, it won't endanger your other accounts. Secondly, enable multi-factor authentication, or MFA, on every account that offers it.
MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of identification, such as a code from an authenticator app or a tap on a hardware security key. This makes it much more difficult for attackers to gain access even if they manage to steal your password. By implementing these four practices— shrinking your data footprint, spotting AI-generated deception, using a password manager, and enabling MFA—you can establish a practical first line of defense in the AI-driven world.
Remember, cybersecurity is an ongoing process, not a one-time setup. Stay vigilant, review your app permissions regularly, and update your habits as necessary to maintain your privacy and security in this evolving digital landscape.
Written by urgent.news from Fast Company's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
