Time to update your privacy tools? New AI threats mean you probably need to

A few years ago, a strong password and a decent antivirus program were enough for most people. That’s no longer the case. AI is making cyberattacks faster, more convincing, and harder to block. The same tools that used to protect you—VPNs, password managers, browser extensions—need to be updated in how you configure and use them.

If you haven’t looked at your privacy tool settings since you first installed them, now is a good time to revisit.

What’s changed

The World Economic Forum recently published guidance on updating data privacy tools to counter risks in the AI era. A companion article notes that AI is accelerating cybercrime by exposing vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit automatically. Instead of a lone hacker crafting a clumsy phishing email, AI can now generate realistic messages at scale, mimic voices, and even clone faces in video calls. Fraudsters don’t need skill anymore—they just need the right AI tool.

This doesn’t mean privacy tools are useless. It means the default settings you originally trusted may not cover the new threats.

Why this matters for everyday users

Consider a typical AI-powered phishing attempt. It might come as an email that looks exactly like one from your bank, with perfect grammar and your actual name. You click the link, but your browser extension that blocks malicious sites might not recognise it because the site was registered only minutes ago. Or you receive a phone call where the voice sounds like a relative asking for money. Your VPN won’t help there.

Password managers are also facing new challenges. AI can now guess weak or reused passwords faster. And some “AI-powered” password managers themselves have added features that, if not configured carefully, could actually expose your data.

The main point: attackers have automated the process of finding weak points. You need to automate your defences in response.

What you can do – tool by tool

Password managers

  • Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on the manager account itself. This is the single most effective step.
  • Check whether your password manager has an AI-driven phishing detection feature. Some now flag suspicious login pages even if they look real. Turn that on if available.
  • Review all stored credentials and remove any duplicates or entries for old accounts you no longer use. Each unused account is a potential leak.
  • Update the software regularly. New threat patterns are added in patches.

VPNs

  • Look for a kill switch feature and ensure it’s active. If the VPN drops, your real IP should not be exposed.
  • Some VPNs now include AI-based split tunnelling that can identify untrusted apps and route them through the VPN automatically. That’s worth enabling.
  • Avoid free VPNs that monetise your data. Paid services that undergo independent audits are more reliable.
  • Consider turning on DNS leak protection in the settings. AI-driven attacks often exploit DNS to intercept traffic.

Browser extensions

  • Review every extension you have. Remove any you don’t recognise or haven’t used in months. Extensions can collect browsing data and be compromised.
  • For ad-blockers and anti-trackers, check if they offer “strict” or “aggressive” modes that block script-based AI trackers. These can prevent malicious scripts from profiling you.
  • Enable automatic updates for all extensions. Outdated ones are a common entry point.

Anti-tracking and privacy settings

  • In your browser, set stricter cookie controls. Disable third-party cookies if you haven’t already.
  • Use a dedicated anti-tracking tool (like Privacy Badger) that adapts to new trackers without manual lists. AI can generate new tracking scripts fast; static block lists may lag.
  • On mobile, review app permissions. Many apps request access to microphone or camera unnecessarily. AI deepfakes can be created from short audio samples, so limit who has access.

One more step: ongoing maintenance

Updating your tools once is not enough. Set a reminder every three months to check for new features in your privacy apps. The threat landscape changes quickly, and tool developers are adding AI-specific protections. For example, some password managers now have real-time alerts when a saved site has been compromised by AI-generated phishing.

The WEF articles are a good starting point, but also follow a reputable cybersecurity news source. No tool is perfect, and new AI attack methods appear regularly. The goal is to reduce your exposure, not eliminate it entirely.

Sources

  • World Economic Forum. “How to update data privacy tools to cut cybersecurity risk in the AI era.” June 15, 2026.
  • World Economic Forum. “AI speeds cybercrime by exposing flaws, and other cybersecurity news.” June 15, 2026.