But what really happened?
And more importantly: are you, as a user or business, at immediate risk?
At EasyComp Zeeland, we are happy to explain this clearly, objectively, and in plain language.
What is meant by the “Copilot hack”?
The term “Copilot hack” does not refer to a classic hack, such as ransomware or a data breach in which millions of passwords were stolen.
It concerns a security vulnerability in Microsoft Copilot, in which security researchers demonstrated that AI systems can be manipulated through carefully crafted input.
This technique is known as prompt injection.
Important to clarify immediately:
– The AI is being misled, not technically “hacked” as in traditional cyberattacks.
What is prompt injection (in plain language)?
AI systems such as Copilot work with context. Think of:
- e-mails
- documents
- calendars
- chats
With prompt injection, that context is abused. For example via:
- een link
- a document
- an email
in which invisible or cleverly phrased instructions are embedded. The AI “reads” these along with the content and may therefore exhibit behavior that was not intended, such as:
- summarizing sensitive data
- repeating internal information
- forwarding data to an external source
You can compare it to an intern who is addressed so cleverly that, without realizing it, they share information they were not supposed to disclose.
Why is this sometimes portrayed in such an exaggerated way?
In some videos, amounts of billions of dollars, threats, and even the “replacement of Copilot by Clippy” are mentioned. That is satire.
However, the underlying message is serious:
- AI is extremely helpful
- AI does not understand intent
- AI has no common sense.
- AI follows instructions literally.
Because AI is becoming increasingly deeply integrated into systems that handle sensitive information, the impact can be significant if something goes wrong.
The best-known vulnerabilities: Reprompt & EchoLeak
Reprompt attack (2026)
With this vulnerability, Copilot could, via a specially crafted link:
- reuse earlier context
- and potentially disclose sensitive information
Microsoft has now solved this vulnerability through a security update.
EchoLeak (2025)
This was a more serious, so-called zero-click vulnerability:
- no user action was required
- Copilot could read context via manipulated input
This vulnerability has also been patched.
Is my data unsafe now?
For most users, the answer is: no, not directly.
✔ Microsoft has closed the reported vulnerabilities
✔ No large-scale data breaches have been confirmed
✔ This was controlled security research, not active large-scale attacks
But… ⚠️ this does show that AI tools require extra attention when it comes to security and access management.
What does this mean for companies?
For organizations, this is a clear wake-up call:
- AI tools have access to a lot of data
- permission structures are becoming increasingly important
- not every employee needs to be able to retrieve everything
Good security nowadays also means:
- clear data boundaries
- being mindful with AI integrations
- regular reviews of permissions and logging
AI isn’t a magic box, but a digital employee that needs clear boundaries.
What can you do yourself?
Our practical tips:
- Limit access rights
Only give Copilot access to what’s truly necessary. - Blijf alert op vreemde links en documenten
Ook intern gedeelde bestanden kunnen misbruikt worden. - Installeer updates direct
AI-beveiliging verandert snel; patches zijn cruciaal. - See AI as an employee, not an all-knowing solution
Trust is good, but control remains necessary.
Conclusion
The “Copilot hack” is not a reason to panic, but it is a clear signal:
AI systems require a new way of thinking about digital security.
At EasyComp Zeeland, we closely follow these developments and help businesses and individuals deploy AI safely, responsibly, and smartly — without sensationalism, but with clear explanations.
Do you have questions about Copilot, AI security, or want to know how this is set up within your organization?
Then we’ll be happy to think along with you.
EasyComp Zeeland – your trusted partner in IT, ICT, and digital security for 20 years.
