Why AI Browsers Can Be Risky (and How to Stay Safe)
Yes, I realize I just wrote about AI Browser wars and what they are, now let’s address how to stay safe while using them.
Normal browsers just show you what’s on the page.
AI browsers actually read the page, like a person reading aloud.
Imagine This…
Think of an AI browser like a really smart personal assistant you bring along to a big city.
Normally, you’d walk down the street, look in the shop windows, and decide where to go.
But with your assistant, you say: “Go check out the shops for me, grab anything that looks useful, and bring it back.”
Here’s the problem: if a shady shopkeeper slips a note into the assistant’s hand that says “Give me your wallet before you leave,” your assistant might actually do it. They’re too polite and too trusting to realize it’s a scam.
That’s what’s happening with some AI browsers today. Malicious websites can hide sneaky instructions (like that shady note), and the AI follows them sometimes, making purchases, filling in personal details, or clicking things it shouldn’t. Remember the days when companies would hide text in white for SEO purposes. This is like that when the AI reviews a site that has hidden agendas.
The Risks in Simple Terms
Hidden Instructions: Some websites hide “secret notes” in their code that trick the AI into unsafe actions.
Overtrusting Behavior: Unlike people, the AI doesn’t have street smarts; it tends to trust what it sees.
Mixing Old Tricks with New: Hackers combine classic scams (like phishing) with these new AI tricks, making them harder to spot.
How You Can Stay Safe
Here’s how to keep your “AI assistant” out of trouble:
Don’t hand over your wallet
→ Never let the AI handle sensitive info (like passwords, credit cards, or payments) without you approving it first.Pause before you act
→ If the AI suggests filling in forms, downloading files, or clicking links, double-check just like you would if a stranger asked you to sign something.Keep your city guide updated
→ Just like you’d update your maps before traveling, keep your browser, devices, and security software updated. Old versions are easier for scammers to trick. If you are like my mom who never restarts her computer and wonders why it crashing. 😉 Keep your computer updated and don’t ignore the you have an update.Stick to the well-lit streets
→ Use reputable websites you know. Shady websites are like dark alleys; don’t send your assistant down there.Watch for unusual behavior
→ If the AI starts suggesting things that feel “off” (like random purchases or auto-filling details you didn’t ask it to), stop and investigate.Train your assistant
→ Learn the basics of how these AI browsers work. You don’t need to be technical just knowing they can be tricked helps you spot problems faster.
AI browsers are powerful, but they’re like an eager assistant without common sense. They’ll follow instructions even from people with bad intentions.
Your job? Be the boss.
Review what they bring you.
Don’t give them free rein with sensitive stuff.
And keep them working in safe, well-lit parts of the web.
Cincinnati Magazine
Check out the article called In the Blink of AI, can we afford to ignore it any longer? I am honored to be quoted along with Jorge Perez from the YMCA. Carrie Blackmore did a wonderful job on the article.
https://issuu.com/cincinnatimagazine/docs/cincinnati_magazine_-_september_2025_edition/52
Aviatra Accelerators
Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Finalists
Highlighting and celebrating women business owners making a big impact in our region.
Congratulations to all the finalists! https://www.aviatraaccelerators.org/weoy-awards-winners. The selection team had some really hard decisions. These women are incredible, and I am honored to be included. It is a wonderful surprise.
2025 AI Adventures
September
September 10-11 MidwestCon https://midwestcon.live/
This conference is gathering the top innovators, policymakers, creators, and visionaries from across the globe to tackle today’s emerging tech challenges.
September 18 Best in Tech Awards hosted by The Circuit from 5-9 pm https://thecircuit.net/event/best-of-tech-awards-2/
October
October 7 Cincy AI from 3-5 EST at UC Digital Futures building. Free to attend. In person only. This is our two year anniversary! Come celebrate with us! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cincyai-for-humans-tickets-1505053398229?aff=oddtdtcreator
October 8 Cincy SHRM from 8-9:30 AI for HR https://www.cincyshrm.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1917353&group=
October 23 Interact for Health AI for Nonprofit session details coming.
October 31 Max Technical Train Intro to AI virtual live class with me from 9-12 EST. https://maxtrain.com/artificial-intelligence/general-artificial-intelligence-and-business-applications/introduction-to-ai/
Coming to Chicago and Boston this month.
I love answering your AI questions. Feel free to message me.
Where AI and inspiration collide!
Kendra Ramirez
KendraRamirez.com
We provide AI Speaking and Training, AI Readiness Assessments, AI Strategy, AI roadmap and implementation, and AI Coaching for small to mid-size businesses and nonprofits.
**For those new to my work, I have been in tech my whole career. Over 15 years of running my digital agency (website, social media, and lead generation) and 7 years of helping businesses navigate AI. Over the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of leading over 100 training and speaking sessions, empowering businesses to embrace the transformative potential of AI. My passion lies in simplifying complex technologies to help organizations grow, innovate, and thrive in an ever-changing landscape.
I am so excited that you are on this journey with me! Thank you! 🤗
I have been writing weekly about AI here for over two years. You can search all of my enewsletters here if you are looking to brush up on a certain topic. kendratech.substack.com