Your Privacy Tools Need an Upgrade: How to Stay Safe in the Age of AI

If you’re still relying on the same privacy settings and security tools you set up a few years ago, you may be more exposed than you realize. Cybercriminals are now using AI to automate attacks, craft convincing phishing messages, and scrape personal data at scale. The World Economic Forum recently published guidance on updating data privacy tools to address these new threats, and the message is clear: traditional defenses are no longer enough.

What happened

In June 2026, the World Economic Forum released an article titled How to update data privacy tools to cut cybersecurity risk in the AI era, along with a companion piece, AI speeds cybercrime by exposing flaws. Both reports highlight how AI is being used by attackers to find and exploit vulnerabilities in everyday digital tools. Automated phishing, deepfakes, and large-scale data scraping are no longer theoretical—they are happening now, and they are more convincing than ever.

The articles point out that many consumers are still relying on the same privacy practices they used five years ago. But AI changes the game. Attackers can generate realistic text and voice in seconds, test stolen credentials across hundreds of services automatically, and use machine learning to tailor scams to individual targets.

Why it matters

The practical implication is that your passwords, browser settings, and privacy controls may not be as effective as they once were. A strong password is still important, but if an AI-powered bot can try thousands of logins per minute, even moderately complex passwords can be cracked. Similarly, basic two-factor authentication (2FA) via SMS is vulnerable to SIM-swapping attacks that AI can coordinate more efficiently.

Beyond passwords, the tools you use for privacy—VPNs, ad blockers, cookie consent managers—need to be configured with AI threats in mind. For example, some AI assistants and apps collect data by default, and that data can be scraped or leaked. The World Economic Forum recommends reviewing every service you use and asking: “If this data were exposed, what damage could an AI do with it?”

What readers can do

Below are five practical steps to update your privacy tools and reduce your risk. These are based on the expert recommendations cited in the WEF reports and other cybersecurity guidance.

1. Move to passkeys or password managers with AI‑aware features

Traditional passwords are the weakest link. If you haven’t already, switch to passkeys where available (they use biometrics or device-based authentication and cannot be phished). For everything else, use a password manager that supports automatic password changes and alerts you when a site has been breached. Some newer managers also flag weak or reused passwords that AI-driven guessing tools could exploit.

2. Use an AI‑aware VPN and browser privacy extensions

Not all VPNs are equal. Look for one that blocks tracking domains, offers a kill switch, and does not log your activity. In your browser, install extensions that block AI‑powered fingerprinting scripts and prevent automatic data collection. The Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Privacy Badger and uBlock Origin are good starting points. Also, disable any “allow AI to improve this service” options in browser settings if you don’t want your browsing data fed into external models.

3. Audit privacy settings on every AI assistant and app

Voice assistants, smart speakers, and AI chatbots often collect recordings and chat logs. Go into the settings of each device and app you use and turn off anything that stores voice or text data “for improvement.” Delete any existing history. Many services now have a “privacy hub” where you can review what data they hold. Do this for Google Assistant, Siri, Alexa, ChatGPT, and any other AI tool you’ve signed up for.

4. Enable two‑factor authentication everywhere—but prefer app‑based or hardware keys

SMS 2FA is better than nothing, but it’s vulnerable to SIM swapping. Use an authenticator app (like Google Authenticator or Authy) or a hardware security key (YubiKey or similar). Enable 2FA on every account that supports it, especially email, banking, and social media. AI‑powered credential‑stuffing attacks are relentless, and 2FA stops most of them cold.

5. Monitor for data breaches with AI‑powered alerts

Services like Have I Been Pwned, Firefox Monitor, or your credit card company’s breach alerts now use AI to scan the dark web for your data. Sign up and enable real‑time notifications. If an alert comes in, change that password immediately and check for suspicious activity. Some password managers also offer breach monitoring built‑in.

Stay proactive

The threat landscape is evolving quickly. The World Economic Forum’s advice boils down to this: treat your privacy setup as a living system, not a one‑time task. Revisit these steps every three months, especially after installing new AI tools or apps. A little maintenance now can save you from a much larger headache later.

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