Artificial intelligence (AI) has become increasingly popular in the past year. Many people have started using AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Google Bard. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are taking advantage of AI’s popularity to steal your information.

In a recent scam, cybercriminals created fake Facebook ads for free downloads of AI products. If you click one of these ads, you’ll be prompted to download a fake file. Once you download the file, malware will be activated on your device. Cybercriminals can use this malware to steal your sensitive information, such as credit card numbers and passwords.

Follow the tips below to stay safe from similar scams:

• Cybercriminals can buy ads anywhere. So, always think before you click.
• Download files from trusted sources only, such as the official Google or AI website. Watch out for ads that prompt you to click links instead of visiting official websites. 
• Before you click on an ad, hover your mouse over the ad to preview the actual link. Make sure that the link leads to a legitimate, safe website that correctly corresponds with the content in the ad.
• Before you “tryout” or attempt to use an AI service, such as ChatGPT, be aware that the service is PUBLIC, and anything you provide within the app will be preserved in the language model itself. Think of AI services as postcards or billboards; others can potentially leverage anything you put in the app.