As new social media apps emerge, so do potential privacy threats such as data and financial theft, as well as phishing attacks aimed at gaining access to newly registered accounts. Startups often fail to properly configure their applications with best practices for privacy protection, making privacy a crucial concern. To increase your online security, you can use a VPN to hide your true location when using social media. In the coming year, it’s important to be aware of the risks and threats of both new and existing social media, and take steps to protect your privacy.
The rise of the Metaverse
The Metaverse is a virtual space where users, represented as avatars, can interact and communicate with each other. It is predicted that 2023 will be a significant year in the growth and advancement of the Metaverse. The Metaverse can be separated into two distinct categories.
Virtual reality (VR)
Artificial reality is achieved by using a VR headset that completely covers the user’s field of view, providing a fully immersive experience. This includes audio and body tracking, which allows the user to interact with the virtual environment by moving their body parts such as their hands.
Augmented reality (AR)
Augmented reality is less immersive than virtual reality, as it involves adding virtual elements to the real world through a type of lens. Users can still interact with their physical surroundings while engaging with the augmented reality. A well-known example is the augmented reality game Pokémon Go, which was popular in the summer of 2016. The app used GPS to track the location of players and display virtual creatures through the camera of their smartphones.
It’s important to note that as new technologies like Metaverse, VR and AR are emerging there needs to be regulations and entities addressing the privacy risks that come with them, as these technologies often involve potentially intrusive tools and data collection.
Common risks of the metaverse
As anticipated, there are various security and privacy issues related to the Metaverse.
1. Moderation
Managing all content and behavior in the Metaverse can be challenging as it is a vast, open digital world with a large number of users. This can lead to problems such as trolling and virtual social aggression.
2. DoS Attacks
Denial of Service (DoS) attacks are a major security and privacy concern in the Metaverse. These attacks aim to make a service or network unavailable by overwhelming it with traffic or resource requests. These attacks are often targeted at servers or other high-profile targets, but any device connected to the Metaverse network can be a potential target.
3. Data
The Metaverse is built on blockchain technology, which aims for data accuracy and integrity. This may give users the impression that the information they view in the Metaverse is trustworthy and reliable. However, this is not always the case and false information can be spread and perceived as true.
Same platforms, new threats
Data breaches continue to be one of the major privacy concerns for social media users. Even well-established social media platforms like Twitter have been affected by data breaches in recent years. Social media sites are among the most targeted on the internet and data breaches have made headlines.
It is the responsibility of social media companies to provide adequate data protection, but it’s also important for users to be cautious with the information they upload and make easily accessible.
Social engineering is another long-standing threat, which refers to cyberattacks that deceive users into revealing personal information. This can take the form of phishing emails or smishing text messages. To protect oneself, it’s important not to give personal information to strangers over phone, email or text.
Additionally, malware is a significant concern on social media as it is frequently used by hackers to deliver cyberattacks. There are various types of malware that can be used to gain access to social media accounts, including viruses, worms, adware, spyware, and trojans.
When users share too much personal information on social media platforms, they become vulnerable to social media threats. There are ongoing discussions about whether users should have to provide identification before opening a social media account. Hackers can use the information found on social media to steal identities, account credentials, and other personal information for malicious purposes.
To better protect your privacy on social media, it’s important to avoid sharing personally identifiable information in posts or profile bios. Changing your passwords regularly to prevent account takeovers. Keeping your accounts private to limit who can see your information.
Using a VPN can prevent location tracking, and being cautious of suspicious links and fake giveaways. When accessing social networking sites on public Wi-Fi, it’s recommended to avoid using public hotspots. Lastly, investing in antivirus software can enhance your security.
Also read: 8 Signs That Your Computer Has Been Hacked
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