How to Update Your Privacy Tools to Stay Safe in the AI Era

If you’re still relying on the same privacy settings and security tools you set up a year or two ago, it’s probably time for a refresh. The reason isn’t just new software versions—it’s that artificial intelligence has changed how cybercriminals operate. The good news is you don’t need to buy expensive new software. Small adjustments to the tools you already use can make a significant difference.

What happened

AI is accelerating cybercrime in ways that traditional defenses weren’t designed for. According to the World Economic Forum, attackers are using AI to identify software vulnerabilities faster than ever before, and automated phishing campaigns can now generate convincing messages in seconds. Deepfake audio and video are making social engineering harder to spot, and data poisoning—where attackers subtly corrupt the data used to train AI models—is an emerging concern for both businesses and consumers.

At the same time, major AI labs like Anthropic are collaborating with cybersecurity organizations to develop new standards, but those are still in progress. For now, the burden of protection largely falls on individual users.

Why it matters

Most people have accepted default settings on AI assistants like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Alexa, or Google Assistant. Those defaults often allow the companies behind the tools to store and review your conversations to improve their models. While that may not seem risky at first, it becomes a problem if your account is compromised, or if a malicious third party gains access to your chat history.

Beyond assistants, AI-powered scams are becoming harder to distinguish from legitimate communications. A phishing email that used to be riddled with typos can now read like a note from your bank. A phone call can mimic a relative’s voice. Traditional antivirus and spam filters catch some of these, but not all.

The takeaway: your existing privacy tools are still useful, but they need updated configurations to handle these new threats.

What readers can do

Here’s a practical checklist. Each step takes five to ten minutes.

1. Update your password manager and enable passkeys.
If you’re still using the same master password from years ago, change it. Better yet, enable passkeys wherever they’re supported. Passkeys replace passwords with biometric or device-based authentication and are far more resistant to phishing. Most major password managers now support them. Turn off the option to save passwords in your browser unless you also use a strong master password—browser-stored passwords are often less securely encrypted.

2. Review permissions on your AI assistants.
Open the settings menu of ChatGPT, Copilot, Alexa, or any assistant you use regularly. Look for options like “improve the model for everyone” or “store conversations.” Disable these unless you have a specific need for them. On ChatGPT, for example, you can turn off chat history and model training in the data controls section. On Alexa, delete old voice recordings and set automatic deletion after 3 or 6 months. These steps prevent your personal data from being used to train AI models without your explicit consent.

3. Turn on two-factor authentication and encryption everywhere.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) using an authenticator app—not SMS—is now the baseline for any important account. Enable it on your email, banking, social media, and especially your AI assistant accounts. Also check that your messaging apps (WhatsApp, Signal, iMessage) are using end-to-end encryption by default. If you’re on an older version of an app, update it; encryption settings are sometimes improved in newer releases.

4. Switch to a privacy-focused browser and search engine.
Browsers like Firefox and Brave include built-in tracking protection that can block many forms of AI-driven data collection. Pair them with a search engine like DuckDuckGo or Startpage that doesn’t log your queries. This doesn’t stop all AI threats, but it reduces the amount of data available for profiling and targeted scams.

5. Configure a firewall or VPN on your devices.
You don’t need a corporate-grade firewall. Many modern routers have basic firewalls that are turned off by default. Log into your router settings and enable the firewall (often labeled “SPI firewall”). On your phone, use a reputable VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi. A VPN encrypts your traffic, making it harder for attackers to intercept data or inject malicious content—a technique that AI tools can now automate.

6. Audit third-party app access to your accounts.
Go to your Google, Microsoft, and Apple account settings and review the list of apps and services you’ve authorized. Revoke access for anything you no longer use. A surprising number of old logins still have permissions, and compromised third-party apps can be used to launch AI-powered attacks on your main account.

Putting it together

None of these steps are difficult, and they don’t require technical expertise. The key is to treat them as part of a regular routine—maybe once a quarter. AI threats will keep evolving, but a few deliberate updates to your privacy tools can keep you well ahead of the most common attacks.

Sources:

  • World Economic Forum, “AI speeds cybercrime by exposing flaws, and other cybersecurity news” (June 2026)
  • World Economic Forum, “3 trends redefining cyber risk in 2026” (January 2026)
  • Anthropic, “Frontier AI and cybersecurity standards” (April 2026) — as reported by the World Economic Forum