Columbia University researchers showed that LLM-based agents can be manipulated by placing malicious links on trusted websites like Reddit. By embedding harmful instructions within posts that appear thematically relevant, attackers can lure AI agents into visiting compromised sites and performing harmful actions such as disclosing sensitive information or sending phishing emails. In tests, agents fell for the trap in 100 percent of cases. Learn more in The Batch: hubs.la/Q03rKxWl0
@DeepLearningAI These attacks show why agentic AI needs an open, composable stack. When models, prompts, and actions are transparent and auditable, the community can spot bad injections fast. That’s the direction we’re building toward at @AlpacaNetwork. 🦙 x.com/AlpacaNetworkA…
@DeepLearningAI Which current reasoning agent with search would ever make it past step 2? Without some obscure prompt that explicitly says to filter @Reddit posts by new, rather than top or hot? I would call sus study on this one fam 😉
This highlights a major blind spot in autonomous agents. It’s not just about securing the models but also training them to assess contextual trust rather than just domain trust. If LLMs treat Reddit or any ‘trusted’ domain as universally safe, they’re walking into traps with eyes wide open.
@DeepLearningAI Important research! Highlights the need for better security measures for LLM-based agents.
@DeepLearningAI Securing agents will become a brand new industry
@DeepLearningAI AI is making things effortless for attackers.
@DeepLearningAI The findings reveal significant vulnerabilities in LLM agents’ interaction with open web platforms.
@DeepLearningAI It's vital for researchers and developers to collaborate on improving safety measures against such manipulative tactics.
@DeepLearningAI This shows how easily AI agents can be tricked just by visiting trusted websites with hidden harmful links. We need better safety checks as these tools get smarter.
@DeepLearningAI If even AI agents are getting tricked so easily, what chance does the average person have? These digital loopholes need closing—our data and trust are at stake with every innovation.
@DeepLearningAI @chainyoda Wild how easily LLM agents can be misled just by context tricks. Definitely makes me rethink how prompt safety and link parsing should evolve. Still learning, but this is eye-opening.