In recent weeks, OpenClaw (previously known as Clawdbot and Moltbot) has taken the tech world by storm. This open-source, self-hosted AI assistant runs directly on your computer and can handle tasks automatically → from booking flights to making restaurant reservations → all through your favorite messaging apps like WhatsApp and iMessage. The tool's rapid popularity makes sense: who wouldn't want a personal AI assistant that works 24/7?
We've already covered a blog on what is OpenClaw and how it works in our previous blog. But today, we need to talk about something equally important → the security risks that come with this powerful technology.
While OpenClaw promises impressive capabilities, security researchers have raised serious red flags. The same features that make OpenClaw powerful also make it potentially dangerous. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the security and privacy risks associated with OpenClaw, helping you decide whether this AI assistant is right for you.
What is OpenClaw?
OpenClaw (formerly known as Clawdbot and Moltbot) is an AI assistant that works in the background on your computer. Unlike regular AI tools that only work when you ask them to, OpenClaw runs all the time and can do tasks automatically.
What OpenClaw can do:
● Run continuously without you asking
● Complete tasks like booking flights or making reservations
● Remember your past conversations and preferences
● Work with apps like WhatsApp and iMessage
● Control your web browser
● Manage your calendar and emails
● Run scheduled tasks automatically
● Execute commands on your computer
While this sounds helpful, it creates serious security problems.
Why are security experts worried about OpenClaw?
OpenClaw has become very popular, but security researchers have raised major concerns about its safety. The main problem is that OpenClaw needs high-level access to your computer to work, which creates many risks.
The tool can do powerful things, but it lacks built-in security protection. Even the official OpenClaw documentation admits: "There is no 'perfectly secure' setup."
What are the biggest security risks with OpenClaw?
Here are the main security dangers:
◆ System-level access: OpenClaw can run commands, read files, write files, and execute scripts on your computer. This means if something goes wrong or if someone tricks it, OpenClaw could do harmful things to your system.
◆ Leaked passwords and keys: OpenClaw has been reported to leak API keys and passwords in plain text. Hackers can steal these through tricks or by finding unsecured connections.
◆ Malicious skills: People can add "skills" to OpenClaw that give it new abilities. But some of these skills can contain hidden malicious code. A skill called "What Would Elon Do?" was found to have serious security problems - it was actually malware disguised as a helpful tool.
◆ Attack through messages: Since OpenClaw works with messaging apps, hackers can send specially crafted messages that make OpenClaw do things you didn't intend.
◆ Silent data theft: Some malicious skills can secretly send your data to external servers without telling you. This happens in the background where you can't see it.
What did security researchers find when they tested OpenClaw?
Security researchers have developed tools to check OpenClaw skills for security problems.
When they tested a popular skill called "What Would Elon Do?", they discovered serious issues:
● Multiple security vulnerabilities
● Critical data theft problems
● High-severity security flaws
The most serious problems were:
● Active data theft: The skill sent data to an external server controlled by the skill creator, and this happened without the user knowing.
● Bypass of safety rules: The skill used prompt injection tricks to make OpenClaw ignore its safety guidelines and run dangerous commands without asking permission.
● Hidden malicious code: Commands were hidden inside the skill that could harm your computer.
● Embedded malware: Malicious code was embedded in the skill file itself.
This skill was ranked as the #1 most popular skill in the repository, showing how easily dangerous tools can gain trust through fake popularity.
Can OpenClaw harm your personal or work computer?
Yes. OpenClaw can be dangerous on both personal and work computers because:
➥ It can access your files, emails, and system resources
➥ It creates ways for hackers to attack your computer
➥ It may violate your company's security policies
➥ Most companies don't allow software that needs high-level system access
Security experts strongly advise against installing OpenClaw on personal computers. Even on work devices, it should only be used with proper security controls.
What privacy risks does OpenClaw create?
Since OpenClaw monitors everything you do and has access to your data, privacy risks include:
● Exposure of sensitive information: OpenClaw might accidentally process confidential work or personal data.
● Unclear data handling: You don't always know how OpenClaw stores, sends, or shares your data. There's no guarantee of encryption or secure transmission.
● Third-party connections: When OpenClaw connects to other services (like email, Slack, or CRM systems), it increases the risk if these connections aren't properly secured.
● Persistent memory: OpenClaw remembers everything from past conversations, which could include sensitive information.
● Compliance concerns: Using OpenClaw might violate privacy regulations like GDPR or CCPA if handling user data.
Why should businesses care about OpenClaw security?
Even though OpenClaw is marketed as a personal AI assistant, it creates serious problems for companies:
◆ Data leaks that bypass security: Traditional security tools like firewalls and monitoring systems might not catch when OpenClaw leaks data. The AI agent becomes a hidden channel for data to escape.
◆ AI as an attack tool: Hackers can use prompts (instructions) to make OpenClaw do harmful things, and traditional security tools have trouble detecting this.
◆ Fake popularity: The malicious skill mentioned earlier was artificially boosted to become the #1 skill in the skill store. Bad actors can make dangerous tools look popular and trustworthy.
◆ Supply chain risk: When many people install skills without checking them, the risk spreads quickly. One bad skill can affect thousands of users. This is similar to supply chain attacks in software development.
◆ Shadow AI: Employees might install OpenClaw, thinking it will help them work better, but they unknowingly bring major security risks into the workplace. This is a form of shadow IT.
Does OpenClaw need technical skills to use safely?
Yes. OpenClaw is built for technical users. Using it safely requires:
● Understanding how to configure security settings properly
● Knowing how to monitor what the AI is doing
● Ability to check workflows and access logs
● Understanding of security risks and how to prevent them
If you don't have these skills, the risks increase significantly. Mistakes in setup can cause:
● Unintended actions that harm your system
● Security settings are being bypassed
● Difficulty tracking what the AI has done
How is OpenClaw different from regular AI assistants?
Regular AI assistants (like ChatGPT or Claude in a browser) work differently:
● They only run when you use them
● They don't have access to your computer files
● They can't execute commands on your system
● They don't connect directly to your messaging apps
● They don't remember everything permanently on your device
OpenClaw runs locally on your computer with high permissions, which makes it much more powerful but also much more risky.
What are "skills" and why are they dangerous?
Skills are like apps or plugins that add new abilities to OpenClaw. They are folders containing:
● Instructions for the AI
● Scripts to run
● Additional files and resources
The danger is that skills can contain hidden malicious code. When you install a skill:
● You might not know what it really does
● It can execute harmful commands
● It can steal your data
● It can change how OpenClaw behaves
● It might look safe, but contain hidden dangers
The "What Would Elon Do?" skill looked helpful but was actually designed to steal data.
Why can't traditional security tools protect against OpenClaw risks?
Traditional security tools struggle with OpenClaw because:
◆ AI agents work differently: Security tools look for known bad patterns, but AI agents can create new, unexpected behaviors.
◆ Legitimate access: OpenClaw has permission to access files and systems, so security tools think it's a normal activity.
◆ Prompts as code: The instructions (prompts) that control AI behavior don't look like traditional malicious code.
◆ Local execution: Because OpenClaw runs on your computer, it might bypass network security monitoring.
This is why specialized security tools designed for AI agents are needed.
Can OpenClaw be used safely?
OpenClaw can potentially be used with reduced risk if you:
● Only install it on non-critical, isolated systems
● Carefully review every skill before installing
● Use security tools to scan for problems
● Monitor all actions and logs regularly
● Limit what data OpenClaw can access
● Don't connect it to sensitive work systems
● Have technical security knowledge
● Keep it updated with security patches
However, even with these precautions, security experts remain concerned. The OpenClaw documentation itself says there's no perfectly secure setup.
What happens if OpenClaw gets compromised?
If OpenClaw is compromised through a malicious skill or prompt injection, the attacker could:
● Access all files OpenClaw can see
● Read your emails and messages
● Steal passwords and API keys
● Monitor your activities
● Send data to their servers
● Install more malicious software
● Use your computer for attacks on others
● Access connected services (email, calendar, etc.)
● Impersonate you in communications
The damage depends on what permissions OpenClaw has and what systems it connects to.
What should you do if you've already installed OpenClaw?
If you already have OpenClaw installed:
Immediate steps:
- Review what skills you've installed
- Check logs for unusual activity
- Change passwords for services OpenClaw accessed
- Remove any suspicious skills
- Update to the latest version
For work computers:
- Notify your IT security team immediately
- Disconnect from company networks if required
- Let them assess potential data exposure
- Follow their remediation instructions
Consider removal: If you can't verify that your OpenClaw installation is secure, the safest option is to completely remove it.
What's the future of AI agents like OpenClaw?
AI agents that run autonomously will likely become more common.
Future developments may include:
● Better built-in security controls
● Improved authentication and authorization
● More transparent operations
● Industry security standards
● Better tools for monitoring AI behavior
● Regulatory requirements for AI agent security
However, until these improvements exist, users must be very careful with current AI agents like OpenClaw.
Should you use OpenClaw?
OpenClaw demonstrates impressive AI capabilities, but it comes with serious security and privacy risks that are difficult to manage, especially for non-technical users.
Consider OpenClaw if:
● You have strong technical security knowledge
● You can properly configure and monitor it
● You use it only on isolated, non-critical systems
● You carefully review all skills before installing
● You have security tools to protect against AI-specific threats
Avoid OpenClaw if:
● You're not technically skilled in security
● You need to use it on a work computer
● You handle sensitive data
● Your company has policies against such software
● You can't dedicate time to proper security configuration
For most users and businesses, safer alternatives exist that provide AI assistance and automation without requiring high-level system access and creating major security risks.
The security community's message is clear: while OpenClaw shows what AI agents can do, the security risks currently outweigh the benefits for most use cases. Wait for more secure implementations or use safer alternatives.
Is OpenClaw ready for corporate use?
No, OpenClaw is not ready for corporate environments. While it might work for personal experimentation on isolated systems, businesses should avoid it.
The lack of built-in security controls, high-level system access requirements, and potential for data leakage make it incompatible with most corporate security policies. Companies need enterprise-grade solutions with proper authentication, audit trails, compliance certifications, and centralized management → none of which OpenClaw currently provides.
For now, OpenClaw should be considered a personal tool only, and even then, used with extreme caution.
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