The internet has long been a playground for viral trends, from nostalgic quizzes to meme-driven challenges that flood social media feeds. But beneath the surface of seemingly innocent prompts like “Your Rockstar Name is your first pet’s name plus your street” lies a growing cybersecurity risk. These viral memes and quizzes are often more than just entertainment—they can be data-harvesting tools designed to extract personal information that fuels hacking attempts and identity theft.
For years, cybersecurity experts have warned about social engineering attacks, a tactic where hackers manipulate individuals into revealing sensitive information. While phishing emails and fraudulent websites remain a common threat, a more insidious strategy has emerged: tricking users into voluntarily providing answers to security questions under the guise of lighthearted internet fun. Names of first pets, childhood best friends, birthplaces, and favorite teachers—these are all common security questions used by banks, email providers, and other online services. And yet, millions of people unwittingly share this information with the public every day, all in the name of amusement.
Kareem Saleh, Founder & CEO of FairPlay.ai, explains how these tactics are evolving. “It might seem like harmless fun, but it’s actually a clever hacking attempt. These are two pieces of personal information people often use in passwords or security questions. By sharing them, you could unknowingly give hackers valuable clues to access your accounts.”
While these forms of data mining are not new, artificial intelligence is making them far more effective. Previously, cybercriminals had to manually sift through social media for useful information. Now, AI tools can scrape, analyze, and cross-reference publicly available data at unprecedented speeds, compiling detailed profiles on individuals without their knowledge. When combined with leaked data from past security breaches, the result is a goldmine for cybercriminals.
One of the most concerning aspects of this trend is how it blends seamlessly into the digital environment. The same AI-driven algorithms that personalize ads and recommend content are also being used to tailor phishing attempts. Tomorrow’s scams won’t be obvious—they will come in the form of personalized quizzes, AI-generated posts that look like they came from a friend, or seemingly legitimate surveys from trusted brands. These tactics exploit human psychology, preying on curiosity, nostalgia, and the desire for social engagement.
“What’s scarier is that schemes like this will only become more sophisticated as AI advances,” Saleh warns. “The line between playful or seemingly innocuous internet trends and malicious intent is blurring. And it raises a chilling question: How will we know what’s real? The answer might be: we won’t. And that’s likely to erode trust, not just in systems, but in each other.”
The concern isn’t just theoretical. In 2020, the Federal Trade Commission warned that hackers were using Facebook quizzes to steal user data. In one instance, a seemingly innocent “What Type of Dog Are You?” quiz was discovered to be collecting information that was later sold on the dark web. Similarly, in 2018, the infamous Cambridge Analytica scandal revealed how personal data harvested from social media quizzes was used to create psychological profiles and target individuals with political advertising.
The implications extend beyond individual security risks. AI-driven misinformation campaigns, deepfake technology, and social engineering scams are all converging to create a digital landscape where trust is increasingly difficult to maintain. Cybersecurity experts caution that as AI continues to evolve, cybercriminals will develop even more sophisticated tactics that don’t rely on users making obvious mistakes but instead manipulate them into participating in their own exploitation.
To mitigate these risks, online users must become more aware of the hidden dangers embedded in seemingly innocent digital interactions. Experts recommend avoiding quizzes and challenges that prompt for personal details, using unique passwords that don’t rely on easily guessed information, and regularly updating security settings on social media to limit what information is publicly accessible.
At a broader level, businesses and technology companies must take proactive steps to identify vulnerabilities in AI-driven systems that could be exploited for data breaches or misinformation. FairPlay.ai is one of the companies working to build defenses against these evolving threats, offering tools that help businesses detect and mitigate AI-enabled risks before they cause harm.
While the internet has always been a space for entertainment and connection, the reality is that digital trust is becoming harder to maintain. In a world where AI can blur the lines between harmless and harmful, being cautious isn’t just about cybersecurity—it’s about protecting the very foundation of how we interact online.
