Web 3.0 The futures so bright you gotta wear (VR) shades

Web 3.0, also known as the Metaverse, is the next evolution of the internet, where virtual and physical worlds will merge to create a seamless, immersive experience for users. But what is a “Metaverse”?
In science fiction, the “Metaverse” was a hypothetical iteration of the Internet as a single, universal, and immersive virtual world that is facilitated by the use of virtual reality and augmented reality headsets.

The rapid advances over the last decade in artificial intelligence, neural networks augmented and virtual reality have made what was science fiction yesterday a reality today. With this new technology comes a host of digital forensic challenges that must be addressed in order to ensure the safety and security of users.

One major challenge is the decentralized nature of Web 3.0. Traditional digital forensic techniques rely on centralized servers and databases, but in the Metaverse, data is distributed across a network of nodes. This makes it more difficult to track down and collect evidence in the event of a crime or cyber-attack.

Another challenge is the anonymity of users in the Metaverse. In the early days of the internet, it was relatively easy to identify users based on their IP addresses, but in Web 3.0, users will have more control over their personal information and may choose to remain anonymous. This makes it more difficult for law enforcement and other organizations to track down criminals and gather evidence.

A further challenge is the increasing use of virtual, mixed and augmented reality technology in the Metaverse. These technologies blur the lines between the virtual and physical worlds, making it more difficult to distinguish between real and fake evidence. Additionally, virtual, mixed and augmented reality technology can be used to create convincing fakes, which can be used to commit crimes or perpetrate fraud.

Here are some areas that will be affected and require new approaches forensically:

• NFTs: There are integrity issues with NFTs, which regulate ownership of assets but do not provide storage for them. This can lead to ransoming or other criminal attacks.
• Deepfakes: By their very nature, deepfakes are a direct threat to the accuracy of information relating to any individual on the existing internet. However, the threat that they pose will only increase as our interactions with the Metaverse increase, given that there will be more opportunities for the use of deepfake technology.
• Darkverse: The darkverse is similar to the dark web, but exists inside the Metaverse. It is more dangerous because of the pseudo-physical presence of users.
• Financial fraud: Criminals will be attracted to the Metaverse due to the large volume of e-commerce transactions, and will try to steal money and digital assets from users.
• Privacy issues: Metaverse publishers will control all aspects of their meta spaces and collect vast amounts of user data, which can be stolen and monetized.
• Cyber-physical threats: The Metaverse’s integration with the IoT and cyber worlds could give rise to cyber-physical threats. Imagine if Alexa was compromised and turned thermostats off in the winter in Siberia! The potential for bad actors to create chaos is endless.
• Virtual / augmented / mixed reality threats: The Metaverse will exist as both a VR and an MR world, and user interactions will occur inside 3D virtual worlds and/or with 3D objects augmented in the real world.
• Social engineering: Criminals use psychological manipulation to trick users into making security mistakes or giving away sensitive information. This will only get more insidious with better AI and deepfake attacks.
• Traditional IT attacks: Metaverse worlds will run on regular IT hardware, making them susceptible to IT attacks such as DDoS, API attacks, and ransomware.
• Miscellaneous threats and issues: Some other Web 3.0 threats and security concerns include difficulties for law enforcement (trade in that motorcycle helmet for an Oculus), environmental impact from the thermal waste required to run Metaverse systems, involvement of large tech companies, and ethical concerns surrounding bots and AI.

The need for digital forensics in the Metaverse is clear. As the Metaverse continues to evolve, it will become increasingly important for law enforcement, cybersecurity professionals and other organizations to develop new techniques and tools to collect, preserve, and analyze digital evidence.
In conclusion, Web 3.0, or the Metaverse is a new and exciting development in the field of technology, but it also poses significant digital forensic challenges. The decentralized nature of Web 3.0 makes it more difficult to track down and collect evidence in the event of a crime or cyber-attack. The anonymity of users in the Metaverse, the increasing use of virtual and augmented reality technology, and the ability to create convincing fakes are some of the challenges which need to be addressed. As the Metaverse continues to evolve, it is important for organizations to develop new techniques and tools to collect, preserve, and analyze digital evidence.

To address these challenges, digital forensics professionals need to adapt their techniques and develop new tools specifically designed for the Metaverse. This is where companies like SUMURI can help. With their expertise in digital forensics and cutting-edge technology solutions, they can provide law enforcement, cybersecurity professionals, and other organizations with the tools and techniques they need to collect, preserve, and analyze digital evidence in the Metaverse. By staying ahead of the curve and investing in digital forensic solutions now, organizations can better protect themselves and their customers from the growing number of threats and security concerns in the Metaverse.

Contact us today for more information or a free consultation. Don’t wait until it is too late and your business is compromised.