How to Update Your Privacy Tools to Stay Safe From AI-Powered Cyberattacks

Artificial intelligence is reshaping cybersecurity—for attackers as well as defenders. Recent reporting from the World Economic Forum notes that AI is being used to speed up cybercrime by exposing vulnerabilities faster than ever, and that traditional privacy tools are no longer enough to protect against these new threats. For everyday users, the question isn’t whether you need to update your digital defenses, but how. Below is a practical, step‑by‑step guide to reconfiguring your privacy tools so they work in the AI era.

What Happened

In June 2026, the World Economic Forum published an article titled “How to update data privacy tools to cut cybersecurity risk in the AI era,” alongside a companion piece, “AI speeds cybercrime by exposing flaws, and other cybersecurity news.” Both reports highlight a shift: cybercriminals now use generative AI to craft convincing phishing emails, create deepfake audio for vishing scams, and automate the discovery of weak points in consumer software and online accounts. Tools that once blocked standard attacks—like basic password managers or default browser privacy settings—are being bypassed. The WEF recommends that individuals treat their privacy tools as “living” configurations that need periodic updates, especially as AI capabilities evolve.

Why It Matters

Most people still rely on the same privacy settings they set years ago. AI‑driven attacks are more targeted and more adaptive. For example, an AI can mimic your writing style after scraping a few social media posts, then send a message to your bank pretending to be you. A default spam filter may not catch a perfectly worded phishing email generated by a language model. And if your password manager still uses an old encryption standard or doesn’t support passkeys, your accounts are vulnerable to automated credential‑stuffing tools. The result is that even careful users can be tricked or bypassed unless they actively update the way they protect their data.

What Readers Can Do

Here are five concrete steps, based on the WEF’s recommendations and general cybersecurity best practices, to update your privacy tools for the AI era.

1. Review and tighten browser privacy settings

Modern browsers increasingly include AI‑powered features—such as automatic form filling, predictive search, and “helpful” suggestions—that can leak your browsing habits to third‑party trackers or allow AI models to train on your data. Go into your browser’s privacy or security settings and:

  • Disable “enhanced” or “intelligent” tracking unless you understand exactly what data is collected.
  • Turn off any AI‑powered predictive features (e.g., Chrome’s “Autofill with AI” or Edge’s “Copilot in browser”).
  • Install an extension that blocks AI‑driven tracking scripts, such as uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger.

The WEF notes that many consumers are unaware that their browser’s AI features are active by default.

2. Configure AI chatbot and assistant privacy options

Popular AI tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini store your conversations to improve their models. For personal use, consider:

  • Opting out of training. Most providers let you disable the use of your data for model improvement (often under “Data Controls” or “Privacy” settings).
  • Enabling temporary or “incognito” mode if available.
  • Deleting old conversations periodically, especially those containing sensitive information.
  • Never sharing passwords, bank details, or personal identifiers with an AI chatbot.

If you’re considering using an AI assistant for private work, check whether your employer has a data processing agreement with the provider.

3. Switch to a password manager that supports passkeys

AI‑powered password‑cracking tools can guess weak or reused passwords in seconds. The best defense is to use a password manager that generates strong, unique passwords and supports passkeys—a password‑less login method based on public‑key cryptography that is resistant to phishing. Services like 1Password, Bitwarden, and Apple’s iCloud Keychain now support passkeys. Enable two‑factor authentication (2FA) on the password manager itself.

4. Audit app permissions—especially for AI features

Many smartphone apps now embed AI functions (e.g., photo editing, assistant bots, predictive text). These features often request permissions (camera, microphone, contacts) that aren’t strictly necessary. Go through your app list on iOS or Android:

  • Revoke permissions for apps that don’t need them to function.
  • For apps that use AI, check if there is a separate “AI settings” menu to limit data collection.
  • Delete apps you no longer use—old apps with outdated security are a common vector for AI‑driven exploits.

5. Use a privacy‑focused VPN and DNS filter

AI‑driven phishing often uses look‑alike domains or serves malicious ads that bypass standard filters. A VPN with a built‑in threat blocker (like Mullvad or ProtonVPN) or a DNS‑level filter (e.g., NextDNS or AdGuard DNS) can block connections to known malicious sites before they load. This adds a layer of protection even if you accidentally click on a cleverly crafted AI‑generated link. Look for services that do not log your activity.

Sources

  • World Economic Forum. “How to update data privacy tools to cut cybersecurity risk in the AI era.” June 2026.
  • World Economic Forum. “AI speeds cybercrime by exposing flaws, and other cybersecurity news.” June 2026.
  • General cybersecurity guidance from EFF, OWASP, and consumer reports (for specific tool recommendations).