Anonymity Metaverse Security: Vulnerabilities and Threats.

[Fixxx]

In recent years, the concept of metaverses has emerged as one of the promising directions in technology and social interactions. These virtual worlds promise to change the way we communicate, work and entertain ourselves, creating new opportunities for users and companies. However, with the growing popularity of metaverses comes an increased risk of cyberattacks that threaten data security and user privacy. This article discusses key aspects of cybersecurity in metaverses, examples of incidents and modern methods of protecting virtual worlds.

What is the Metaverse?​

The metaverse is a virtual space where users interact with each other and their surrounding digital world in real-time through digital avatars. Unlike the traditional internet, the metaverse represents an integrated and three-dimensional environment that includes virtual and augmented reality, the Internet of Things and blockchain elements, ensuring constant presence and interaction. In this space, users can communicate, work, create content, shop and own virtual assets using NFTs and other tokenized objects. Metaverse technologies are rapidly evolving and attracting attention from various sectors. The impact of the metaverse on society and the economy could be colossal. Virtual spaces are already creating new formats for work and leisure, educational and entertainment platforms, virtual offices and even entire economic systems. Companies, in turn, see the metaverse as a new opportunity for business, marketing and customer interaction, which could lead to the emergence of digital assets, new professions and forms of ownership. The metaverse promises to enhance engagement and interactivity in the digital space; however, this also brings new challenges for security and privacy.

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One of the main vulnerabilities is privacy breaches. This is perhaps the most unpleasant thing that can happen to a user. The more complex the software product, the more technology stacks will be used under the hood and the greater the chances of errors that can lead to vulnerabilities. It's premature to say that viruses in the metaverse could lead to physical consequences for users. The human brain is not well enough understood for viruses to be used as weapons or as virtual narcotics.​

As users begin to transfer a significant part of their personal and professional lives into the virtual world, data protection and cyberattack prevention become critically important for maintaining trust in these new digital ecosystems.

Security Features in Virtual Worlds​

Cybersecurity threats and risks in the metaverse differ significantly from traditional online environments, as interactions in these spaces occur through digital avatars, virtual assets and biometric data. In virtual worlds, users can own digital items, participate in events,and interact with other avatars, making attacks and hacks on these systems particularly significant. The main differences are related to new approaches to identification, authentication and control of virtual assets, creating complex and unique challenges for cybersecurity. The vulnerabilities of metaverses are directly related to their architecture:

• The overwhelming majority are decentralized. While this offers advantages in terms of fault tolerance and sovereignty, it also has drawbacks. Detecting an attacker in the metaverse is much more challenging; they are simultaneously everywhere and nowhere.
• Maximum cross-platform compatibility. The more devices there are, the more infected and vulnerable points exist, leading to more attack vectors.
• The use of NFTs. Here we see how advantages can turn into disadvantages. On one hand, NFTs are designed to protect ownership rights, but on the other, they do not ensure the secure storage of digital assets. In fact, they can attract attackers to users who own NFTs.
• Vulnerabilities and infections of VR/AR devices. There are two main scenarios: an attacker gains access to a device and sees either everything you do in the metaverse or what is happening around you while your gaze is directed into the metaverse.

One critical feature is physical identification. In the traditional internet, users are typically authenticated through passwords, two-factor authentication or biometric data. In the metaverse, identification may depend not only on passwords but also on biometric indicators such as eye movements, gestures and voice. This data significantly enhances realism and interaction in the virtual environment but also increases vulnerability to the collection and illegal use of confidential information. Moreover, protecting virtual assets requires a comprehensive approach, as assets (NFTs, digital items, and tokens) are susceptible to various types of attacks that can target users or the digital infrastructure of the metaverse. Ensuring authentication and managing digital identities in the metaverse is a key cybersecurity task. The decentralized architecture complicates the identification of attackers operating from different points, while cross-platform compatibility increases the number of vulnerabilities. Each authentication and transaction requires a high level of protection to prevent avatar spoofing and data theft. The use of NFTs, intended to protect ownership rights, can also attract attackers. Additionally, vulnerabilities in VR and AR devices allow attackers to monitor user actions, creating further security risks.

Cyberattack Incidents in the Metaverse​

As technology advances and the popularity of metaverses increases, cyber threats are becoming more relevant. Recent incidents show that these virtual worlds are not immune to attacks from malicious actors. Just like in the traditional internet, the security of users and their assets in the metaverse is at risk, necessitating a comprehensive approach to data protection and user identification. Let’s examine a few real cases that highlight the vulnerabilities of metaverses:

• In 2021, the metaverse Horizon Worlds by Meta faced user security issues, particularly regarding harassment. In one of the platform's tests, a participant experienced harassment and noted that in virtual reality, it feels more intense due to the physical proximity of avatars. To protect users, Meta introduced a Safe Zone feature that allows temporary restrictions on interactions, but its settings require further refinement and clearer instructions. This incident underscores the need for enhanced moderation and security in Horizon Worlds.
• The Axie Infinity platform suffered a major attack in 2022 when hackers exploited vulnerabilities in smart contracts to steal assets worth $540 million. This case highlights the risks associated with using cryptocurrencies and NFTs in virtual worlds, where comprehensive measures for transaction and personal data protection are crucial.
• On September 19, 2024, the official account of the Decentraland metaverse on the social network X was hacked: attackers posted a phishing link for an "airdrop" of MANA tokens, prompting users to connect their cryptocurrency wallets. Those who clicked the link lost their assets. A similar incident occurred in 2022 when hackers compromised Decentraland's MailChimp account, gaining access to the mailing list, although the main servers of the platform were not affected.

Technologies and Protection Methods in the Metaverse​

With the rise of cybersecurity threats in the metaverse, it's essential to implement reliable technologies and methods for data protection and user authentication. Here are some key approaches:

• Blockchain and Encryption: Blockchain technologies play a crucial role in securing virtual assets and transactions. They allow for the creation of decentralized and immutable records, reducing the risk of fraud and data manipulation. Encryption is also critical for protecting data during transmission, ensuring confidentiality and integrity. For example, using cryptographic protocols helps prevent data interception and leaks during user interactions in the metaverse.
• Artificial Intelligence: AI and machine learning can become vital tools in ensuring cybersecurity in virtual worlds. AI can analyze large volumes of data, detect anomalies and predict potential threats. The main advantage of AI for both attackers and defenders is its high computational power and ability to operate at speed without fatigue. In this regard, AI integrated into the metaverse can act as a "chief security officer", monitoring malicious activities and significantly automating the work of cybersecurity specialists.
• Zero Trust Concept: Implementing a zero trust model is becoming increasingly relevant in the context of protecting the metaverse. This concept assumes that no interaction, even if it occurs within the network, should be considered safe without prior verification. Every user and device must undergo strict authentication and access to data should be limited based on the principle of least privilege. This significantly reduces risks associated with internal threats and malicious actions.

Critical measures for protecting intellectual property and digital assets in the metaverse include access management. If you have data and interactions, managing access should be a top priority. The second universal step for protecting digital assets is vulnerability management. Properly applying these two measures can significantly enhance the cyber resilience of the system. These technologies and methods provide a multi-layered approach to protecting data and users in the metaverse, contributing to the creation of a safer and more reliable digital environment.

Future Prospects for Cybersecurity in the Metaverse​

As technology evolves and the popularity of metaverses increases, the need for effective cybersecurity will only grow. In the coming years, we can expect the active implementation of more advanced protection methods, such as the expanded use of blockchain technologies and the integration of artificial intelligence for automated security monitoring. Some experts view the growth of metaverses as a new phase in the development of the internet. If this perspective holds true, we will need new solutions that are currently absent from the market. On the other hand, there are two clear challenges that need to be addressed:

1. Ensuring the Availability of the Metaverse: The metaverse must operate 365 days a year, 24 hours a day; any downtime, even for a few minutes, is unacceptable, especially if metaverses are integrated into the economies of countries or the world. This challenge is partially being addressed through the decentralization of metaverses, but there is a risk that current tools and their functionalities may be insufficient.
2. Addressing Access Control and Digital Asset Protection: Today’s NFT technologies are inadequate; something more functional is needed. Thus, the primary technical measures involve implementing continuous operation systems, access controlband digital asset protection.

Conclusion​

Cybersecurity in the metaverse presents a complex and multifaceted challenge that requires careful attention from developers, companies and users alike. Given the growing threats and incidents, it's crucial to develop and implement new protection technologies and data management practices. Creating a safe digital environment in the metaverse is not only a technical task but also a social responsibility that requires collaborative efforts to ensure user privacy and security. Only through a comprehensive approach can we effectively protect the interests of all participants in virtual worlds.