AI Browsers: Are the Security Risks Worth It?

The rapid ascent of artificial intelligence has ushered in a new generation of AI browsers, promising to transform how we interact with the web. These tools integrate powerful language models directly into the browsing experience, enabling automated tasks from online shopping to content summarization. However, the convenience of AI browsers comes with significant security and privacy trade-offs that users must carefully consider.

OpenAI recently introduced Atlas, a browser built around ChatGPT that assists users across open tabs and search queries. Similar offerings like Perplexity’s Comet and Google’s Gemini-enhanced Chrome are also gaining traction. These platforms allow AI to perform actions on behalf of users, editing emails, placing orders, or analyzing code repositories, without requiring manual input. Yet this very capability introduces vulnerabilities that cybersecurity experts are urgently flagging.

One of the most pressing threats is prompt injection, where malicious actors manipulate an AI model into bypassing safety protocols. These attacks can be direct, through user input, or indirect, via hidden payloads on websites. Researchers at Brave highlighted that AI browser assistants can be compromised by untrusted webpage content, potentially enabling cross-domain actions affecting banking, healthcare, or corporate systems. Developer Simon Willison expressed deep skepticism, noting that even a simple request to summarize a Reddit post could lead to unauthorized data access.

OpenAI points to security measures such as granular user controls and a “logged-out mode” that restricts credential access. The company’s chief information security officer emphasized investments in systems to identify and block attack campaigns. Still, experts argue that agentic browsers remain inherently risky. Alex Lisle, CTO of Reality Defender, cautioned that entrusting entire browsing histories to these tools is unwise, citing frequent flaws and insufficient maintenance compared to established browsers.

Data handling represents another critical concern. To function effectively, AI browsers often require access to personal accounts, credentials, and sensitive information. While some features let users monitor AI activity in real-time, the long-term safety of this data remains unproven. A recent survey revealed that four out of five companies experienced cybersecurity incidents linked to AI, underscoring that innovative technology does not automatically mean secure technology.

Privacy advocates also warn that AI browsers intensify surveillance risks. Eamonn Maguire of Proton noted that these tools collect coherent, narrative data, details about health, finances, or personal plans, that reveal far more than traditional search history. Without clear transparency about data storage, access, and usage, AI browsing could become what he describes as “surveillance capitalism’s most intimate form.”

So, should you use an AI browser? For now, experts advise caution. Brian Grinstead of Mozilla explained that even the most advanced language models struggle to distinguish trusted user content from untrusted web content. He noted that prompt injection success rates in the low double digits would be considered catastrophic in conventional browsers. His recommendations include avoiding private data access, refraining from loading untrusted content, even on reputable sites, and meticulously reviewing what information the browser collects and stores.

While AI browsers offer impressive functionality, they are still in early stages of development. Until these tools undergo rigorous, independent security testing, it’s wise to treat them as experimental. If you choose to explore them, do so with heightened awareness, prioritizing privacy and limiting exposure of sensitive information.

(Source: ZDNET)