The Story Behind SafePrompt

How building AI-powered websites for clients exposed a critical security gap

The Real-World Discovery

Ian Ho runs Reboot Media, an agency building AI-powered websites for clients. The requests seemed simple enough: "Put a lead form on my site, have AI summarize the submissions, send them to my Gmail inbox."

While building these systems, Ian realized something alarming: the inputs weren't sanitized. Malicious prompts from lead forms could hijack the AI summaries going to client inboxes. Even worse, advanced AI automation workflows that responded to leads were completely exposed to manipulation.

What started as "simple" Gmail inbox summaries revealed a universal problem: every AI application processing user input was vulnerable. And there was no simple, affordable solution for indie developers and small businesses who just wanted to ship.

The Problem Goes Deeper

After discovering this in client projects, Ian realized it wasn't isolated. Every AI-powered application was vulnerable:

  • Customer Support Bots: Being tricked into refunding money or revealing user data
  • Content Moderation: Being bypassed to spread harmful content
  • AI Assistants: Being manipulated to execute unauthorized commands
  • Automated Workflows: Having their logic corrupted to cause business damage
  • Even Simple Contact Forms: Being exploited when AI processes the submissions

The rush to integrate AI everywhere had created a massive security blind spot. Developers were building amazing AI features but had no way to protect them from malicious prompts.

Ian Ho: The Right Background at the Right Time

Ian's background uniquely positioned him to solve this problem. As eBay's first technical architect, he built systems at massive scale before modern frameworks existed. He managedmulti-million dollar ad campaigns, served as a Fractional CMO for startups and small businesses, and was an early ChatGPT adopter who recognized AI's potential immediately.

"I've seen what works at scale," Ian reflects, "and I also know that indie developers and small businesses can't afford $X,XXX/month solutions with complex sales processes. There needed to be something in between - something that actually works for the people building with AI every day."

The vulnerability wasn't theoretical - it was impacting real client projects. Ian tried building DIY regex defenses (20+ hours, 43% accuracy, broke constantly). Enterprise tools required sales calls and enterprise pricing. Nothing existed for the indie developer or small business who just wanted to ship secure AI features.

The Solution: Built in 3 Months

Ian built SafePrompt solo in 3 months. Using experience from eBay (technical architecture), multi-million dollar campaigns (pricing psychology), and early AI adoption (ChatGPT since November 2022). Solving real client problems, not theoretical ones.

  • Simple: One API call to add protection
  • Fast: Sub-second response times
  • Accurate: High accuracy in production
  • Affordable: $5/mo tier for indie devs (10K validations included)

"I'm not trying to build another enterprise security platform," Ian explains. "I'm building the protection that every developer can actually use - from solo indie hackers to Fortune 500 companies. Because prompt injection doesn't discriminate."

SafePrompt came from real experience: active agency owner discovering a real vulnerability while building for real clients. No theory. Just shipping secure AI features.

Why This Matters Now

AI is everywhere. Every app is adding AI features. But most developers have no way to protect against prompt injection.

Real attacks are happening: Chevrolet sold a car for $1. Air Canada was sued for what their AI promised. Gmail's AI got hijacked.

These attacks work. And there's still no simple solution for indie developers and small businesses. That's what SafePrompt fixes.

Currently in Beta

SafePrompt is in beta. Working with early adopters to refine detection algorithms and expand threat intelligence.

What we believe:

  • Security shouldn't require enterprise budgets
  • Developers should build, not worry about attacks
  • The best security is invisible - it just works

Every developer using SafePrompt helps improve the network defense. When one customer gets attacked, all customers benefit from the intelligence.

Start Protecting Your AIGet in Touch

SafePrompt is a product of Reboot Media Inc., based in Irvine, California.

Founded in 2025 in response to the growing threat of prompt injection attacks.