Prompt injection

What it means

Prompt injection happens when text, a webpage, email, or file includes instructions meant to trick an AI tool into ignoring its rules or revealing information.

Example

A pasted email contains hidden instructions telling an AI assistant to summarize private messages or ignore safety directions.

Warning signs

• Content includes strange instructions to the AI.
• A page or file asks the AI to ignore previous rules.
• The AI output requests sensitive information unexpectedly.
• The tool takes actions that were not clearly requested.

Safer next steps

• Do not give AI tools unnecessary account access.
• Review AI actions before approving them.
• Avoid pasting sensitive data from untrusted sources.
• Use tools with permission limits and human confirmation.