The earth has been changing for 4.5 billion years, whereas we, Homo Sapiens, have been on the stage for 300,000 years. And here we are! Sitting on the top of the ecological pyramid and deciding on everything. But how we managed to climb there while we could not fly, swim, or even own clutches. The answer is carried on your shoulders. Encephalisation chose us to develop social learning and language acquisition. Our kind evolved into a more intelligent creature in language, complex symbolic thinking, and technological creativity over thousands of years. When we look at the point we reached, it is impossible not to admire our journey.
Today, in contrast to our nomad ancestors hunting all day long, our lives are dedicated to pushing the limits of Reality. We create worlds not even close to our current ones, wear avatars, and choose where we want to live. Maybe you did not choose where you were born, but now, you have the jackpot to start over. How? It is Metaverse. You probably hear this word every day, but you have no idea what it actually means. Let us explain…
What is Metaverse?
When Facebook co-founder and media magnate Mark Zuckerberg represented Facebook Metaverse at the beginning of 2020, he underlined its importance as a medium for users to express themselves more straight-out and feel the world ever deeper in seductive harmony. According to what he claims, this new virtual version of our current world will link us steadily to be more present. This is a utopian reality where we are promised to have the natural feeling of ” being” in augmented reality. Does it sound bizarre? Well, maybe.
Cybersecurity and Metaverse
Metaverse combines the real world with fantasy; thus, there is no location limitation. Would you like to join a Yoga séance in Kathmandu? Wear your VR headset and log in. That’s all. But what about the cost of all? All the devices, applications, metaverses, and companies, what are they chasing?
“If you are not paying for it, you’re not the customer; you’re the product being sold.” – Andrew Lewis.
The discussions for metaverse cybersecurity have been on the rise recently, and a myriad of professionals have brought forward an idea to protect users from the cyber risks of the current concept of metaverses. How can you keep your cybersecurity in a world where you handle all your fingerprints, financial data, retina scans, voiceprints, and facial geometry? Is it even possible to hide them from third parties?
Just like traditional social media we use, A101 is not to click anything from an unknown source. Malicious attackers mostly choose to hack your account through sent links claiming “You have just won an iPhone”, “We have your private pics.” or “Would you like to join our 10-million-lottery for free?”. Simply mark them as a scam and remove them permanently.
Provide your sensitive information only for trustworthy platforms ensuring to keep your info safe and secure. It can be a tremendous mistake to insert your credit card details on a website with no licence. Actually, to prevent this, you can utilise functional prepaid cards such as JetonCash. This one-time-used virtual card leaves no trace or personal data behind, so you do not have to worry about card cloning or theft
Why the Metaverse Must Be Mindful
Another issue is the machine learning ability of these metaverse platforms. Have you ever realised that Facebook shows you the exact dresses you may like? Or offering you to join in pages of your taste? Do you think it is a coincidence? We do not think so. Every choice you make on the screen is added to your data pool; therefore, the sellers know what you are into. Finding a unique community or online platform with users sharing the same interests and preferences may look harmless at first sight. However, this directive creates an echo chamber where you become deaf to others and their opinions. This catalyst role can lead to polarisation and radicalisation in a society which needs peace and respect.
All in all, when we travel farther into the uncharted seas of the metaverses, we encounter significant risks to personal and financial data. Considering the field is new, we believe that most of these black holes will be fixed properly shortly in favour of users. In contrast, we can not share the same optimism for the polarisation of society. At this point, you need to develop a skill to remind yourself of the fact that “There can be others who do not agree with you and trying to see the subject from another perspective does not harm anyone”. At the end of the day, we are all individuals changing constantly. Aren’t we?
