Introduction
In just a couple of years, the Metaverse went from an exciting idea to being mentioned in the public domain and becoming trending as a search phrase. This indicates Metaverse is leading the charts and is becoming the next big thing among pro-businessmen, IT professionals, and the general public. The Metaverse is an exciting prospect with endless possibilities. But, before getting associated with Metaverse on a large scale, it is critical that we learn from our past mistakes and start the metaverse journey with full proof of privacy and cybersecurity strategies. Let’s get more insights on current cyber security concerns and possible defenses for the new world built on Metaverse.
Cybersecurity Risks linked with Metaverse
Metaverse Security Concerns
Metaverse ensures a new immersive virtual experience that could alter the way we connect with one another for both personal and work-related tasks. However, metaverse relies on virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), numerous digital social platforms, digital devices, etc., for its operation, which may bring a variety of security risks, ranging from headset hardware to user privacy concerns along with it.
- Security Risks related to Augmented Reality
Augmented Reality, or AR, is one of the Metaverse’s main pillars, and the latest AR developments are pretty exciting. They offer fresh approaches to collecting data and transforming connections between the virtual and real worlds. However, AR can also lead to significant metaverse security risks, especially in the realm of user privacy. The questions on AR security risks in Metaverse that need addressing are,
- What happens to the privacy of users if hackers manage to infiltrate an AR device?
- How will AR companies utilize and protect the data collected from the users?
- Where do companies store AR captured data and related encryption methods adopted?
- Do the AR firms share AR data with other third parties, and also the reason for sharing?
All the above queries point towards metaverse blockchain security problems like social engineering attacks, denial of service, and credential theft.
- Security Risks related to Virtual Reality
If you thought that AR is the only gray area in the metaverse when it comes to security issues, then you might be a mistake. Virtual Reality, or VR, is equally responsible for numerous potent privacy concerns in the metaverse. What makes VR a soft target in the metaverse? Data collected from VR technology like biometric data via retina scans, fingerprints, facial geometry, and voiceprints lead to major privacy issues with VR. The most apparent privacy issues related to the metaverse linked VR technologies include identity theft, ransomware, and reduced perception of physical space
Deployment of Cybersecurity defenses in Metaverse
Metaverse will bring known cybersecurity risks along with it. Hence it is imperative to build robust cybersecurity defenses and protocols. To begin with, various solutions like proxies, antimalware software, and VPNs will be needed in order to provide enhanced endpoint security. However, it is vital that things do not stagnate at this stage.
As social engineering & phishing attempts are becoming more radical and frequent, there will be a humongous need to create awareness about these cybersecurity risks. However, in reality, cybersecurity defenses must be created using a holistic approach in its entirety, focusing mainly on the need for a correct combination of digital security tools and requisite cybersecurity awareness.
Most businesses need to plan ahead and use theta hunting, penetration testing, and vulnerability scans to make sure their cybersecurity systems are safe, secure, unbreakable, and impenetrable. A cyberthreat-free 2022 with the metaverse can be achieved only if every individual identifies the critical requirement to secure themselves and is aware of the possible risks induced even with a moment of negligence.
Conclusion
The overview of metaverse security challenges shows the unknown side of the next big thing in the digital world. Many of us haven’t given it much thought and assume that the presence of blockchain protects the metaverse from any cyber threat. However, the metaverse is not just about blockchain technology. AR and VR technologies supporting the metaverse are also prone to various privacy and security risks, such as credential theft, social engineering attacks, identity theft, and ransomware attacks. So, the best way to stop history from happening again and make sure the new world has a safe and secure Metaverse is to build strong cybersecurity defenses.
