The Metaverse is not exactly new among us. Several platforms and games use this concept. However, it was only after the announcement in October 2021 that Facebook would change its name to Meta and start investing more in the metaverse that the term gained popularity.
Since then, many have announced the metaverse as the future of the digital world, stating that soon this technology could be improved and more accessible to everyone, completely changing our experience in the virtual world.
But is the dominance of the metaverse in the digital world really as close as some have been proclaiming? What are the risks to information security that this change can bring?
These are some of the questions that permeate the topic. But before they are answered, we need to start from the beginning: what exactly is the metaverse?
What is the Metaverse?
It’s almost certain that at some point in your digital life you have entered the Metaverse. Many online games, for example, are based on the concept. You may also have encountered the metaverse in fiction, whether in literature or cinema.
The metaverse is a virtual world/universe where people can interact with each other through digital avatars. This is what already happens in games like Minecraft and Roblox, or in the social network Second Life, to name just a few successful examples.
Maybe now you’re wondering: but if that’s all there is to it, why all the fuss?
The fact is that the metaverse is far from being explored to its full potential. Technological advances in virtual reality and faster connection speeds, brought about by the arrival of 5G, promise to make the experience in the virtual universe increasingly immersive.
If today’s virtual reality glasses are already capable of providing a dive into the digital world, soon we may have devices that allow precise body control, as well as making it possible to feel the digital world as we feel the physical world.
To this, add the development of virtual spaces that go beyond games. In the metaverse, you can work, shop, and communicate. It will be like a “3D Internet,” that is, as if you were inside the digital world and not just accessing it through a screen.
The plan of Meta, formerly Facebook, so far the main investor in the construction of this virtual universe, but not the only one, is that everything we do in the physical world, we can do in the virtual world, but without giving up the possibilities that only a world where the laws of physics defined by algorithms can offer.
The risks of a cyber attack in the Metaverse
Although the metaverse is still in its infancy, it is impossible not to think about the massive amount of information and data that companies will start to capture from users in this virtual universe.
Thus, we can affirm that the main risks of cyber attacks in the metaverse are related to the theft and misuse of data. It is worth noting that these are already two of the biggest virtual risks today. In recent years, there has been an increase in news of data leaks and ransomware.
Although the development of information security is an endless race – every advance is also a step forward for cybercriminals in their practices – it is essential to offer greater protection to personal data, as well as transparency for its use.
This investment in security must also be directed to the blockchain, the technology that will be used to record information and possessions within the virtual universe. If these data are stolen, recovery will be extremely difficult.
In addition, the metaverse can become fertile ground for social engineering scams, in which scammers deceive and manipulate victims to obtain undue financial advantages. Stalkers can also take advantage of the freedom of the digital world to increase the persecution of their victims.
Protecting Yourself in the Metaverse
The good news is that to protect yourself from cyber attacks in the metaverse, the precautions are the same as those we need to take in today’s digital world, such as:
- Be aware of the veracity of the profiles you interact with;
- Avoid providing sensitive data to strangers;
- Do not access (places) dubious links;
- Use privacy settings;
- Activate security tools (such as two-factor authentication);
- Be wary of offers that are too good to be true;
- Be suspicious of calls from companies that request personal data or involve actions with the bank;
- Keep your systems and software always up to date;
- Have a good security application.
Remember: whether in the metaverse or in today’s digital world, if you are a victim of a cyber attack, it is essential to report it. If there is no specialized police station for virtual crimes in your city, you can file a report at a regular police station.
We are excited about the possibilities of the metaverse and can’t wait for this virtual universe to be accessible and available to everyone, with maximum security. And you?
See you next time!
