7 Tips for Protecting Your Data When Using Generative-AI Tools

Artificial intelligence has profoundly transformed the job market in a few short months. 

In this new landscape, failing to have good cybersecurity culture can lead to data breaches and, potentially, dire consequences for your reputation and professional career. 

With this in mind, how is it possible to stay safe while using generative AI tools? 

These ten tips will help you figure it out. 

1. Understand how privacy settings work

Everything we come across on the internet has privacy settings, including AI tools of all kinds. 

You can use these settings to control how much the tool can access and use your data. 

In this case, all you need is to invest some time to look up and understand the privacy settings. You can keep your data private on most platforms with a few clicks. 

If you don’t adjust these settings to your preferences, you can lose important data like personal details, confidential business data, and even intellectual property. 

This might lead to legal repercussions and damage to your professional reputation. 

2. Navigate with a VPN

Your best online protection shield when navigating the internet would be a Virtual Private Network, better known as VPN. 

This tool hields your IP address and makes it almost impossible for hackers and other cybernetic criminals to track your online activities.  

If you opt not to use a VPN when you use generative AI tools, the consequences could vary:

• You can leave your online activity vulnerable for people to spy on and intercept your data;
• Cybercriminals may be able to steal some of the sensitive data you share while using the tools;
• Client information, trade secrets, and intellectual property might be at risk.

These attacks can lead to a loss of trust from your clients and even legal disputes, resulting in financial or career struggles. 

3. Don’t fall for phishing scams

The rule of thumb is never to open suspicious emails. 

Cybercriminals are constantly updating and bettering their ways of entering your mailbox and scamming you. They’re great at hiding behind seemingly safe emails and links. 

Anyone can fall into a phishing scam: clicking on the wrong link can quickly expose your information to cybercriminals. Hackers can attempt to get into your accounts and steal financial or confidential information, even setting up malware that will compromise your software’s safety. 

In the aftermath of a cyberattack, you can get your identity stolen, lose your money, and even damage your reputation. 

So, if you get an email that seems to be from the generative AI company you use, make sure to thoughtfully check it and only then proceed with clicking any links.

4. Be careful with public Wi-Fi networks 

In the US, 47% of people use public networks every day. But cybercriminals also use them to steal users’ data and do other malicious acts. 

If you use public Wi-Fi, make sure to enable your VPN. Do not, under any circumstance, give away sensitive data when connected to public Wi-Fi. 

Otherwise, cybercriminals might intercept the information you put out and can gain access to your login credentials in mere seconds. 

5. Keep your AI tools up to date

Updates can be annoying, but they are normally programmed to keep your software safe from cybercriminals. 

If you ignore them or fail to update your AI tools manually, you expose yourself to multiple security risks. 

If your software is outdated, your data is a lot more vulnerable and easier to steal. If the breach happens, it can lead to regulatory compliance violations with severe legal consequences. 

6. Create strong passwords

This is your first line of defense, the most essential tool you need to stay safe online. 

Don’t use the same password for every account you create, including the ones for generative AI tools you use. If you fear you can’t remember them all, you can write them down or use a password manager. 

Without a good password, you’re essentially an open book for cybercriminals. 

7. Educate yourself on the latest security threats

Cyberthreats are evolving daily. That’s why it’s so important to understand how to protect ourselves against these attacks. 

According to a new report from the Bipartisan Policy Center, we have a “cyber arms race” on our hands. 

Falling victim to ransomware, data breaches, and social-engineering hacks can lead to loss of professional reputation, stolen data, and financial or even legal consequences. 

Staying informed and knowing about new cybersecurity measures that are easy to implement is key to keeping ourselves safe from cyberattacks. 

To sum up

AI generative tools are a revolution in the world and the workplace, but keeping our data secure is more important than ever. 

Considering the ten tips above, you’ll get to enjoy the advantages of generative AI tools without the risk of being scammed or attacked by cybercriminals.