Your privacy tools aren’t working against AI threats – here’s how to fix them

Artificial intelligence is not only a tool for productivity and entertainment. It has also become a powerful engine for cybercrime. Phishing messages are more convincing than ever. Malware adapts faster. And the tools you once relied on to protect your privacy may no longer be enough. Recent reports from the World Economic Forum confirm that AI is accelerating the cyber threat landscape in ways that demand a serious update to your personal security habits.

This guide walks through practical steps to adjust your privacy tools and practices for the AI era. It is based on current expert recommendations, including insights from the WEF’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026.

What happened

The WEF’s latest cybersecurity report identifies AI acceleration as one of the top risks for individuals and organisations alike. According to the report, AI-powered phishing attacks increased by more than 1,000 percent in 2025. Attackers now use generative AI to craft emails and messages that mimic real contacts with near-perfect grammar and context. Traditional spam filters and password-based defenses are struggling to keep up.

At the same time, AI tools have made it easier to crack weak passwords, bypass simple multi-factor authentication, and exploit software vulnerabilities within hours of their disclosure. The WEF warns that the speed and scale of AI-driven attacks are outpacing the ability of many consumers to react — unless they proactively update their privacy setups.

Why it matters

The threat is not theoretical. AI enables attackers to personalise scams at scale. A deepfake voice call can imitate a family member. An AI-generated text can look exactly like an email from your bank. Meanwhile, data brokers and trackers use AI to build detailed profiles from your online activity, which can then be used for targeted phishing or identity theft.

If your browser still allows third-party cookies by default, if you reuse passwords, or if you have not updated your device software in months, your risk is significantly higher. The good news is that a few deliberate changes can reduce that risk considerably.

What readers can do

Here is a checklist of actionable steps, based on current best practices and WEF guidance.

1. Update your browser privacy and security settings.
Most browsers now offer enhanced protection modes. In Chrome, enable “Enhanced Protection” under Security settings. In Firefox, turn on “Strict” privacy mode and “HTTPS-Only” mode. These settings block known malicious sites and force encrypted connections. For extra privacy, install an extension that disables third-party cookies and prevents fingerprinting (such as uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger).

2. Move beyond passwords.
Passwords are a weak link. AI can crack common passwords in seconds. Use a password manager to generate and store long, random passwords for every account. Better yet, adopt passkeys where available — they are cryptographic keys that cannot be guessed or stolen in a data breach. Many services (Google, Apple, Microsoft) now support passkeys.

3. Enable multi-factor authentication everywhere.
Two-factor authentication adds a second layer that AI alone cannot easily bypass. But avoid SMS-based codes when possible, because SIM-swapping remains a risk. Use an authenticator app (like Authy or Google Authenticator) or a hardware security key.

4. Audit and restrict app permissions.
Check which apps on your phone and computer have access to your camera, microphone, location, and contacts. Remove any app you no longer use. For apps you keep, set permissions to “ask every time” when that option is available. AI tools can exploit permissions left open.

5. Consider a privacy-focused browser and search engine.
Browsers like Firefox, Brave, and DuckDuckGo block tracking by default and include built-in protections against AI-driven profiling. Pair them with a search engine that does not log your queries.

6. Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi.
Public networks are easy targets for AI-powered interception. A VPN encrypts your traffic and hides your IP address, making it harder for attackers to track or intercept your activity. Choose a reputable provider with a no-logs policy.

7. Keep everything updated.
Set all your devices and apps to auto-update. AI can scan for known vulnerabilities quickly after patches are released, so you need to be ahead of the curve. This includes your operating system, browser, extensions, and antivirus software.

8. Be skeptical of unexpected messages.
Even with technical protections, human judgment matters. If a message seems urgent or too perfect, verify it through another channel. Hover over links before clicking. AI-generated phishing is getting harder to spot, so a second check can save you.

Sources

  • World Economic Forum, Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 (January 2026). Highlights AI acceleration as a top cyber risk.
  • Industrial Cyber, “WEF Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 flags AI acceleration, geopolitical fractures” (January 13, 2026).
  • World Economic Forum, “AI speeds cybercrime by exposing flaws, and other cybersecurity news” (June 15, 2026).
  • World Economic Forum, “How to update data privacy tools to cut cybersecurity risk in the AI era” (June 15, 2026).

Disclaimer: The threat landscape is evolving quickly. While these steps reduce risk, no measure offers complete protection. Stay informed and update your practices as new recommendations emerge.