Artificial intelligence (AI) is making it easier for cybercriminals to collect, analyze, and expose personal information, increasing the risks of doxing and online identity theft, according to cybersecurity company Kaspersky.
Doxing, or the unauthorized collection and public disclosure of someone’s private or identifying information, is becoming more concerning as AI enables attackers to analyze massive datasets, connect information from different sources, and uncover identities more efficiently.
Unlike traditional digital dossier tools that rely on predefined scripts, AI can cross-reference information from multiple online sources and draw connections that would be difficult to identify manually. However, the information gathered may also come from fake accounts or impersonated profiles, potentially spreading inaccurate details and causing reputational damage.
Kaspersky cybersecurity expert Tatyana Shishkova said AI does not create the underlying risks associated with online data collection but significantly increases the speed and scale at which cybercriminals can gather and analyze personal information.
To reduce exposure, Kaspersky recommends that users regularly delete unused online accounts, review social media privacy settings, and limit access to personal posts and information.
The company also advises using unique and strong passwords for every account, enabling multifactor authentication, and avoiding personal or identifying details in passwords.
Users should also monitor whether their email addresses or phone numbers have been exposed in data breaches. Security solutions that provide data leak alerts and digital identity monitoring can help identify potential compromises.
As AI-powered tools make information gathering more sophisticated, Kaspersky emphasizes the importance of managing digital footprints and thinking carefully before sharing personal information online.
