October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a nationwide initiative aimed at educating individuals and organizations about the importance of digital safety. As more people turn to artificial intelligence (AI) tools for work, study and creativity, it’s important to understand not just their benefits, but also their risks. This article explores how AI users can protect themselves and their data.

AI: A helpful assistant with hidden dangers

AI can make life easier — draft documents, summarize reports, write code, or generate images in seconds. But behind every helpful feature lies a potential risk. The same technologies that enhance productivity can also expose sensitive data or be used by cybercriminals for malicious purposes.

When we use AI, we often provide personal or organizational information. That data may be stored, reused or even incorporated into future AI models. Once shared, it’s nearly impossible to know where it goes — or who might access it.

How cybercriminals exploit AI

AI isn’t just a tool for productivity — it’s also a weapon in the wrong hands. Attackers now use AI to create more convincing phishing messages, fake websites or deepfakes that mimic real voices and faces. These AI-powered scams are harder than ever to detect because they look and sound authentic.

Criminals can also use AI to identify system vulnerabilities faster than humans can patch them, or to generate content that spreads misinformation and confusion — both online and within organizations.

Protecting your data and privacy

As AI users, we all have a role to play in keeping data secure. Here are a few practical steps:

• Think before you share: Avoid entering confidential, personal or proprietary information into AI tools unless you’re certain they’re secure and approved for use.
• Check privacy settings: Review the data policies of any AI service before using it. Some retain user input for “training” purposes.
• Be cautious with accuracy: AI can generate confident but incorrect information. Always verify facts before relying on or sharing results.
• Use secure accounts: Protect your logins with multi-factor authentication (MFA) and strong, unique passwords.
• Stay updated: Follow guidance from your campus IT department and trusted cybersecurity sources to learn about evolving AI risks and best practices.

Balancing innovation and responsibility

AI is a powerful ally when used responsibly — but it also challenges how we think about privacy, ownership and security. Every prompt, upload or query leaves a digital footprint that could outlive its usefulness. By being thoughtful about what we share and vigilant about how we use AI, we can enjoy its benefits without compromising our data or integrity.

This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, take a moment to reflect on how you use AI tools in your daily life. Awareness and caution are the best ways to ensure that the technology works for you — not against you.

Need Help? Visit it.mst.edu or email the IT Help Desk.