Do you use ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude every day to work faster? Great. But every time you type something into these tools, you're taking risks you might not suspect. Data theft, hallucinations that make you say nonsense, malicious prompt injections...
The thing is, AI in 2026 has become so powerful that threats have evolved too. Good news: with these 10 golden rules, you can continue enjoying AI without getting caught.
Table of Contents
- NEVER share sensitive personal info
- Use only official versions
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
- Strong and unique passwords
- Connect via a secure network
- Disable model training on your data
- ALWAYS verify AI-generated info
- Limit AI browser permissions
- Avoid copy-pasting from untrusted sources
- Stay informed and update regularly
- Pros and cons
- Frequently asked questions
1. NEVER Share Sensitive Personal Information
Honestly, this is THE number one rule. Data you enter into an AI can be stored, reviewed by staff, or used to train future models. And no, the fact that it's "just a quick question" doesn't change anything.
Here's what you should NEVER share:
- Personal identifiers: Social Security number, driver's license, passport, home address
- Financial data: bank account numbers, credit cards, PIN codes
- Medical data: medical records, diagnoses, treatments
- Passwords and tokens: no passwords, API keys, authentication tokens
- Confidential documents: business contracts, intellectual property, sensitive source code
To be honest, I treat every conversation with an AI like a conversation in a crowded coffee shop. If you wouldn't say it out loud in public, don't type it to an AI.
2. Use ONLY Official Versions of AI Tools
Spoiler alert: scammers create imitations of ChatGPT, Gemini, and other tools to steal your credentials. I've seen super convincing fake sites in recent months.
What you should do:
- Access directly the official website by typing the URL in your browser: openai.com/chat for ChatGPT, gemini.google.com for Gemini, claude.ai for Claude
- Download only the official app from App Store or Google Play
- Verify that the URL starts with https:// with the green padlock
- Avoid unofficial browser extensions that can capture your data
3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on All Your AI Accounts
2FA is your second line of defense. Even if someone steals your password, they can't access your account without the second factor. Game changer for your security.
How to set up 2FA: go to Settings > Security in your AI account, enable multi-factor authentication, and choose your preferred method.
| Method | Security Level | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|
| Authenticator App (Google Authenticator, Authy) | High | Medium |
| SMS | Medium | Easy |
| Hardware Keys (YubiKey) | Very High | More Complex |
My advice: prefer an authenticator app over SMS. It's more secure and works even without network.
4. Use Strong and UNIQUE Passwords for Each Account
81% of data breaches are caused by reused or weak passwords. This figure should make you think.
Characteristics of a solid password:
- Minimum 16 characters (ideally 20+)
- Mix of types: uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols
- Completely random: no patterns, no dictionary words
- UNIQUE for each service: your ChatGPT password =/= Gemini password
Use a password manager like 1Password, Bitwarden, or Dashlane. They automatically generate strong passwords and you only need to remember ONE master password.
Counter-intuitive tip: don't change your passwords "out of habit". Only change them if there's a confirmed breach. Regular changes often force creating weaker passwords.
5. Connect via a Secure Network (VPN or Personal WiFi)
Public WiFi networks (cafes, train stations, airports) are hunting grounds for attackers. Someone on the same network can intercept your data.
What you should do:
- Use a VPN (ExpressVPN, NordVPN, ProtonVPN) that encrypts all your traffic and masks your IP address
- Avoid public WiFi for sensitive tasks
- If you must use public WiFi, VPN is mandatory
- Prefer your personal mobile hotspot when possible
The winning combo: VPN + HTTPS (green padlock) + 2FA = multi-layer protection.
6. Disable Model Training on Your Data
By default, OpenAI and other companies can use your conversations to train their future models. Not ideal if you're discussing confidential projects.
For ChatGPT: go to Settings > Data & Privacy and disable "Improve Model" or "Improve Overall Model Accuracy".
For other tools, look for "opt-out AI training" in settings.
Without this opt-out, your conversations — even those containing errors or sensitive info — can be reviewed by staff or used to train models used by millions of people.
7. ALWAYS Verify Information Generated by AI
AI regularly hallucinates. It generates convincing but completely false information. I've seen AIs invent laws that don't exist, cite never-published studies, or propose bogus medical diagnoses.
The SIFT strategy to verify:
- Stop: evaluate initial credibility. Do you recognize the cited sources?
- Investigate: search for info about the source — recognized expert? Trusted institution?
- Find: look for more reliable coverage via Google Scholar, government sites, academic databases
- Trace: trace back to original claims — not through a chain of rumors
Golden Rule: never accept an AI claim as true without verification. Treat AI as a research assistant, not as a final authority.
8. Limit Access Permissions for AI Browsers and Agents
AI browsers like ChatGPT Atlas, Gemini for Chrome, or Perplexity Comet request broad access permissions to your data. And honestly, the stats are scary: Atlas only blocks 5.8% of phishing attacks, compared to 47-53% for Chrome and Edge.
What you should do:
- Refuse broad access by default: don't check "full access to email, calendar, contacts"
- Use disconnected mode when the agent doesn't need your accounts
- Enable "watch" mode: require manual confirmation for sensitive actions
- Isolate AI tasks: use a separate browser profile
- Check activity logs regularly
The more permissions you grant, the larger the attack surface.
9. Avoid Copy-Pasting Untrusted Content into AIs
Attackers hide malicious instructions in web content: images with hidden text, phishing pages, compromised articles. When you copy-paste this content into an AI, you risk triggering a prompt injection.
What you should do:
- Be careful with copy-paste from unknown sites
- If you copy content, clean it: remove styles, scripts, hidden elements
- Use only trusted sources: respected news articles, government sites, academic publications
- Be specific in your requests: rather than pasting long text, summarize what you need
10. Stay Informed and Update Regularly
The AI security landscape changes very quickly. Yesterday's vulnerabilities are no longer relevant tomorrow.
Best practices:
- Update your AI app as soon as updates are available
- Follow security alerts: subscribe to OpenAI, Google, Anthropic blogs
- Check haveibeenpwned.com regularly to see if your emails have been compromised
- Educate yourself: read articles about current AI threats
Recommended resources: OpenAI Security Blog, OWASP GenAI Security Project, Google Security Blog.
Pros and Cons of These Practices
The Pros
- Maximum protection of your personal and professional data
- Drastic reduction of identity theft risk
- Increased confidence in daily use of AI tools
- Quick detection of fraud or scam attempts
- Peace of mind for using AI in a professional context
The Cons
- Initial setup time to configure 2FA, VPN, password manager
- Slight friction in daily use (two-factor authentication at each login)
- Potential cost for some tools (premium VPN, password manager)
My Advice
Start with rules 1, 3, and 4. Never share sensitive info, enable 2FA, and use a password manager. These three actions alone eliminate 80% of common risks. The rest will come naturally once you've built these habits. And remember: treat every interaction with an AI as potentially non-confidential. If the information wouldn't be OK on a post-it in a public place, don't give it to an AI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ChatGPT see my other conversations?
No, each conversation is isolated. But be careful: if you share sensitive info in a conversation, it remains stored on OpenAI servers and can be used for training (unless you disable this option).
Is a free VPN enough to protect me?
Honestly, no. Free VPNs often fund themselves by reselling your data. Invest in a reputable paid VPN (NordVPN, ExpressVPN, ProtonVPN) for real protection.
How do I know if an AI has hallucinated?
Systematically verify cited sources. If the AI mentions a study or law, search for it yourself. If you find nothing, it's probably a hallucination.
Are AI browsers really dangerous?
They're not "dangerous" by nature, but they increase your attack surface. ChatGPT's Atlas, for example, only blocks 5.8% of phishing attempts. Use them cautiously and in disconnected mode when possible.
Conclusion
In 2026, AI has become a revolutionary tool but it comes with a price in terms of security. The good news? By following these 10 rules, you drastically reduce your exposure to risks.
- Not sharing sensitive data eliminates the major risk
- 2FA + strong passwords + secure network block the majority of traditional attacks
- Verifying information protects you from hallucinations
- Limiting permissions reduces damage if an agent is compromised
Now it's your turn. Start by enabling 2FA on your AI accounts today — it takes 5 minutes and changes everything.
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