The Expert’s Guide to the Security and Privacy Risks of VR and AR
Virtual reality devices and apps produce computer-generated artificial surroundings. Material can be experienced through an interface, such as a headset, rather than a screen. The goal of VR systems is to manipulate the brain into believing that the image being viewed is as realistic as possible.
Augmented reality mixes our actual reality with virtual features. The computer-generated augmentations are projected on top of reality to assist us with our various activities and make us more effective in our daily lives.
Using next-generation sensing and imaging technology, users interact with and adapt to both actual and virtual things and surroundings in mixed reality. Users can interact with a virtual environment with one foot in the real world and the other in a virtual one without removing their headset.
The combination of VR, AR, and MR is termed as “extended reality” (XR). The technology aims to integrate or mirror the actual world with a “digital twin world” that can interact with it.
Top 5 AR Security and Privacy Risks
1. Unreliable data
AR is a relatively new sector, and authorized material production and transmission technologies are still evolving, making it vulnerable to cyber dangers such as spoofing, snooping, and data manipulation. Hackers can replace users’ AR with their own, misleading others or offering false information.
2. Social exploitation
Augmented reality can be used to manipulate people through social engineering. For example, hackers might deploy phony signs or displays to corrupt users’ perceptions of reality, leading them to engage in behaviours that benefit the hackers.
3. Malware
AR hackers can use advertising to inject malicious content into programs. Unwary users may click on advertising that directs them to hostage websites or malware-infected AR servers that include untrustworthy imagery, compromising AR security.
4. Theft of network credentials
Hackers may steal network credentials from Android-powered wearable gadgets, leading to a cyber concern for merchants who use augmented reality and virtual reality shopping apps. Hackers can use user profiles to steal credit card information and mobile payment methods.
5. Ransomware
Hackers can record AR activities and threaten to publicize them unless the user pays a ransom, which can be unpleasant or disturbing for those who don’t want their activities made public.
Top 5 VR Security and Privacy Risks of
1. Deepfakes
Advancements in face recognition and machine learning now allow for the alteration of people’s voices and appearances, resulting in what seems to be authentic film. In a nutshell, this is the fundamental basis of deepfake technology. Motion tracking devices might capture someone’s movements and use them to generate digital duplicates.
In fact, the sensors within VR headsets can capture people’s facial movements so accurately that deepfakes seem so real that they can mislead anyone.
2. Ransomware
Attackers may use VR platforms to trick users into disclosing personal data.
3. Finger tracking
Cybercriminals may find further value in VR headsets’ finger and eye tracking capabilities. The technology collects and transmits the finger tracking data showing fingers inputting a PIN, but it also lets users employ hand gestures in the same manner they would in the real world.
4. Eye tracking
Attackers may receive useful information through eye tracking, which enables them to replicate user behaviours.
5. Stealing and damage of property
Another security risk is physical damage or theft of a wearable VR gadget.
What are the safest ways to use AR and VR?
- Don’t reveal anything too personal or unneeded.
Don’t reveal anything users aren’t required to; for example, don’t post any payment information unless you’re making a purchase.
- Examine the privacy policies.
To learn how data is stored and used by AR and VR platforms, it is crucial to check their privacy policies. This involves gathering data and sharing it with others.
- Making use of a VPN.
To protect online identity and data, use a VPN. To secure sensitive data, advanced encryption and a changed IP address work together. The VPN approach will probably change as AR and VR technology advances.
- Maintain firmware updates.
It’s critical to keep your VR headsets and AR wearables’ firmware up to date. Updates help to repair security problems by adding new features and enhancing existing ones.
Wrapping Up
Virtual reality and augmented reality are game-changing technologies. Despite providing us with numerous opportunities, they also carry certain risks. Before using them, be aware of the potential hazards to user privacy.
