Essential Safety and Cyber Hygiene Practices to Avoid AI Frauds
Adopting safe digital habits significantly reduces the risk of AI-enabled deception. Since AI frauds exploit behaviour, awareness and disciplined digital practices are critical.
Recommended Safe Practices for Users
- Pause Before Acting
Take a moment to assess any unexpected, urgent, or emotionally charged digital request.
- Always Verify Through a Second Channel
Confirm calls, messages, or video requests using official websites, verified numbers, or known contacts.
- Question Familiar Voices and Faces
Do not assume authenticity based on voice, video, uniforms, or official-looking backgrounds alone.
- Control Emotional Responses
Stay alert when messages create fear, urgency, sympathy, or pressure—these are common manipulation tactics.
- Limit Your Public Digital Footprint
Reduce sharing of photos, videos, voice notes, family details, workplace information, and location updates.
- Regularly Review Privacy Settings
Restrict who can view your profile details, posts, and contact information across platforms.
- Stay Informed About AI Capabilities
Be aware that voices, videos, images, and messages can be cloned or generated within seconds using AI.
- Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Create long, complex passwords and avoid reusing them across accounts.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Add an extra layer of security to email, banking, social media, and cloud accounts.
- Avoid Clicking Unsolicited Links
Be cautious of links related to KYC, refunds, deliveries, offers, verification, or emergencies.
- Do Not Share OTPs or Credentials
No legitimate organisation will ask for passwords, PINs, or OTPs over calls or messages.
- Keep Devices and Applications Updated
Install updates promptly to fix vulnerabilities exploited by fraudsters.
- Avoid Installing Unknown or Unverified Apps
Especially apps shared via links, messages, or urgent instructions.
- Report Suspicious Activity Immediately
Early reporting helps prevent financial loss and protects others from similar attacks.
Remember AI frauds exploit habits—not intelligence. Always - Pause. Verify. Share less. Secure more.
Practising strong cyber hygiene and questioning unexpected digital interactions can disrupt AI-enabled fraud at any stage.