Protecting Yourself in the Era of AI

With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), the use of chatbots like ChatGPT, Perplexity or

Google Gemini is becoming increasingly prevalent. These are remarkable tools that are transforming the way

we interact with technology. They offer convenience, assistance and insight with efficiency and time savings.

There are, however, risks associated with the use of such tools. When using AI chatbots it is important to

practice good cybersecurity hygiene. Cybersecurity hygiene refers to the practices and procedures used to

protect your data, devices and systems. One of the ways to protect data and devices when using AI chatbots is

to never share the following information with them.

1. Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) refers to a vast array of data that can uniquely identify an

individual. This information can range from basic details like full name and date of birth to more

sensitive information like address, phone and social security number.

2. Financial and Banking Information

Information related to banking or financial accounts should never be divulged to AI chatbots. This data

includes bank account, credit card or investment account numbers or any other payment details. It is

imperative to utilize encrypted and secure channels when entering such information online. Users

should always exercise caution to safeguard financial data.

3. Passwords and Login Credentials

Sharing sensitive access details with an AI system poses significant risk. Passwords and login

credentials are the digital keys to one’s personal information. Uploading this information to a chatbot

can unlock the door to malicious entities. When establishing passwords, they should always be unique

and strong for every online account. Passwords should never be shared with anyone and extra security

measures like two-factor authentication should be used for additional protection.

4. Private or Confidential Information

Revealing private or confidential information with AI chatbots can have repercussions on both a

personal and professional level. Since AI systems do not have contextual understanding that humans

possess, they could be prone to accidental disclosure of sensitive information. Providing personal

secrets, intimate details or confidential work-related information to an AI system could compromise

one’s privacy and reputation.

While this article pertains specifically to Artificial Intelligence systems, practicing good cyber security hygiene is

imperative in all online interactions. As technology advances rapidly, data breaches are becoming increasingly

concerning. Safeguarding your privacy is of utmost importance in our evolving digital age.