Deck the halls with Cyber Safety—7 tips to use AI securely

AI is transforming the way we shop, plan and celebrate the holidays. From customer service chatbots to recipes and gift inspiration, you’ll find AI tech behind it. It’s fun and convenient—but it may come with some risks. Cybercriminals are zeroing in on new digital weak spots, like unsecured AI tools and online shopping platforms, ready to exploit them.  

According to the latest Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report, concerns about AI shopping scams have surged, with nearly 59% of consumers expressing worry, up from 48% last year. People are wary of trusting AI, and just 26% of respondents have confidence in AI’s ability to handle private information securely. 

Rest assured, Norton experts have you covered from the benefits of AI-powered holiday prep to its potential risks. Let’s dive in on how you can help protect your data and personal information.  

Unwrapping the risks with high-tech holiday threats 

It’s understandable to have concerns about AI, especially with the risks that come along with it. According to MIT Technology Review, today’s AI-fueled threats include: 

Phishing

AI systems can be programmed to perform helpful tasks, like order tracking, customer feedback analysis and virtual shopping assistance, resulting in online retailers often using them in lieu of human customer service agents. And, for them to work as intended, they may have access to some of your personal information.  

Unfortunately, these same virtual assistants housing personal information are vulnerable to attacks. Hidden text on websites or in emails can manipulate the AI's behavior, allowing bad actors to steal your credit card information, contact list or other sensitive information like your address. 

Data poisoning

Since AI uses text and images from the web to inform its responses, scammers can infiltrate their training systems with malicious content like fake websites and inaccurate information. These attacks can alter the information AI provides, leading to counterfeit product recommendations, malicious links, and fraudulent holiday deals.  

Among those who have used AI chatbots for online holiday shopping, 37% say they received inaccurate answers. So, be on the lookout for false information and always cross-reference AI-generated results by reading reviews, verifying product details on trusted websites and comparing prices across different retailers.   

7 Tips to sleigh your holiday shopping securely

Risks aside, these tools can be a lifesaver this holiday season—if you know how to use them safely. Whether you’re trying to think outside the box for the person who has everything or simply want to know what’s trending, AI tools are changing the game of gift giving.  

In fact, one in four shoppers (24%) plan to use ChatGPT for gift ideas this year, an increase from 18% in 2023 and more than one-third of respondents (38%) say AI-powered recommendations are helpful and could enhance their online shopping experience.  

However, as AI innovations take some of the stress out of the holidays, cyber scammers are evolving their tactics to target unsuspecting shoppers. Whether you rely on AI to guide your holiday shopping or not, these essential tips can help ensure your holiday stays merry and bright: 

1. Keep personal information private. It’s important to remember that chatbots, like ChatGPT, and other AI tools save your data, which can include your account information and your conversation history. Never disclose financial or confidential details during conversations with it. 
2. Read the fine print. Before you start using AI to plan your holiday parties, review privacy policies to see how your data will be collected, used and stored.  
3. Shield your identity. Consider keeping your real information under wraps by creating a separate, anonymous account just for AI chats. 
4. Pick secure passwords. Don't recycle old passwords—use strong, unique ones for each of your accounts and change them periodically. To make this easier, consider using a password manager like Norton Password Manager, which securely stores and creates complex passwords.  
5. Be a savvy surfer. Keep your finger on the pulse of AI security trends and scammer tactics. When you know what to watch out for, you're already a step ahead of the bad guys. 
6. Employ a digital bodyguard. Getting protection against potential threats can help you stay one step ahead of criminals. Robust security software like Norton 360 Deluxe can help protect your devices and personal information from cyber grinches. 
7. Fight AI scams with AI. Use Norton Genie to easily identify if you're falling victim to a scam. Norton Genie is a free, AI-powered scam detection app for messages, social media posts, email, and websites. If you sense that something isn’t right, you can share a screenshot of any message with Genie and in seconds, find out if it’s likely a scam and what to do next. 

We wish you a merry shopping experience

As you embrace the convenience of AI this holiday season, remember to stay alert to potential risks. A few proactive steps can help ensure that your holidays are merry, bright, and secure from unwanted surprises. To learn more about how to stay protected from cyber threats, visit https://us.norton.com/.