Once only seen in futuristic sci-fi films, Virtual and Augmented technologies have developed to blur the line between reality and the digital world. In this era of heightened continuous connectivity and digital interaction, there exist multiple opportunities for innovation and entertainment.
This seamless integration of virtual and reality interwoven in our daily lives introduces a multitude of challenges, where security emerges as a concern. Through using these technologies, our private data and digital identities remain captivating to threats lurking on the interconnected web.
Throughout this exploration, Oppos Cybersecurity will examine the relationship between VR and AR technologies and the need to secure this new transformative landscape. From data we leave in the virtual spaces being poorly protected, to unauthorized access, we delve into the security considerations to safeguard the integrity of the immersive augmented and virtual experience these technologies offer.
In this Guide
What is Virtual Reality?
Virtual Reality is the use of technology that allows the user to immerse themselves in an artificial, three-dimensional visual or other sensory environment. VR applications simulate reality using interactive devices that send and receive information from headsets, gloves, bodysuits, goggles, controllers, and other tools. The tools and virtual environment enable them to feel as if they have teleported into this artificial world.
Types of Virtual Reality
There are three main types of VR, non-immersive, semi-immersive, and fully immersive. In non-immersive environments, the user interacts with the virtual experience through a computer where they can control some characters or activities within the software but the environment is not directly interacting with you. It relies on a system on a computer or video game console.
In contrast, as the name suggests, semi-immersive VR provides users with a partial virtual environment. It still provides the perception of being in a different reality but also allows the users to remain connected to their real environment. Lastly, fully immersive VR simulations provide the user with the most realistic experience, through a headset that uses high-resolution content with a wide field of view.
What is Augmented Reality?
Augmented reality, on the other hand, is less immersive. It simply enhances the physical world through real-time digital visual elements, sound, and other sensory stimuli. It is this “real world” element that differentiates AR from virtual reality. AR integrates and adds value to the user’s interaction with the real world, versus a simulation.
Types of Augmented Reality
The two most common types are markerless and marker-based Augmented Reality.
Marker-based AR uses a designated market to activate the interactive experience, while markerless does not use any marker. Markerless AR instead relies on the device’s camera to scan the environment and places elements on a flat surface, thus being placed based on geometry as opposed to a marker.
What is the difference between VR and AR technology?
The distinction between VR and AR is their approach to blending the digital and physical world, what devices are required, and the experience itself. Augmented reality and virtual reality are often confused, so let’s clarify:
- AR operates within the real world, while VR is completely in a virtual environment.
- In AR, the users keep control over their presence in the real world, whereas in VR the equipment fully governs user actions.
- AR can be experienced using a smartphone, while VR needs a headset.
- AR is capable of enhancing both the virtual and real world whereas VR only enhances a fictional reality
Security Risk with Virtual and Augmented Reality
Movement and Eye Tracking
One integral component of VR is eye tracking, as it allows you to become fully immersed in the environment. This acts as additional data that malicious actors could use to reveal valuable information. Furthermore, companies could also take advantage by tracking a person’s vision to determine which brands they engage with most, to later sell to the highest bidder. 95% of purchase decisions happen subconsciously, according to Gerald Zaltman.
VR eye tracking provides market researchers with insight into consumer behavior. This is as exciting to marketing professionals as worrisome for users of VR who may be concerned about potential invasion of privacy. Furthermore, if hackers can collect and analyze the movement data, they could potentially be able to uniquely identify the user, without their consent. They could also use the movement data to reliably impersonate them.
Fake identities or ‘Deepfakes‘
Deep Fakes are a type of AI used to create convincing images, audio, and video hoaxes, aiming to trick the viewer into believing it is 100% legitimate. The term describes both the technology and fake content. It often works by transforming already existing content, where the words said would be replaced, or the person altogether would be substituted for another. Advancements in machine learning and facial recognition allow organizations to manipulate the voice and appearance of the target, distorting the information into what looks like genuine footage. Currently, it is still easy to detect fakes for most people. However, as VR technology grows more impressive, it might be harder to detect. Threat actors could easily take this technology, coupled with the images and information they have about someone, and create fake footage, to scam or manipulate the end user.
Blackmailing
Not surprisingly, “VR Porn” is the number one search term associated with Virtual Reality. Malicious actors have taken advantage of human nature and resorted to sextortion. Sextortion is the practice of extorting money or sexual favors from someone by threatening to reveal evidence of their sexual activity.
They trick them into believing they have evidence that you visited adult websites and attempt to persuade you into paying them so they don’t leak the content. In some cases, they attach a password you have been using which was acquired in a previous data breach to make the current scam look more legitimate.
Headset vulnerabilities
The headset, an essential part of the VR experience, is just like any other computer or IoT device. As a result, it is susceptible to the same weaknesses and vulnerabilities as a computer, phone, or any other IoT device. This includes outdated firmware, insecure software components, and blue-tooth and Wi-Fi vulnerabilities among others, that when exploited can result in data breaches, identity theft, and damage to both hardware and software, among many other issues.
Cybersecurity for Wearable Technology
Insecure Browsing
AR applications allow for browsing during the augmentation process. This content is created and delivered by third-party vendors and applications, where fewer regulations are present as it is a relatively new sector. The authorized material production and transmission technologies are still being developed. It is therefore vulnerable to threats such as spoofing and data manipulation.
Malware
Hackers often sneak malware into AR applications through advertisements. Unsuspecting victims would then click on them, redirecting them to a malicious website for malware infected AR servers. They can later steal user data, and install backdoors, among other malicious actions.
Security Best Practices for Virtual and Augmented Reality
Research and Verify Applications
There are many unregulated applications and software available for VR and AR platforms. It is important to verify their authenticity and credibility. Firstly, stick to official app stores, or trusted sources, read online reviews and look out for red flags, and check for any reports of security breaches or concerns.
Strong Password Policies
Strong and unique passwords are another essential practice to secure your VR and AR hardware and data. Passwords act as the first line of defense against cyber criminals who aim to access your personal information and online activity. As a result, it is recommended to create complex passwords for each AR/VR account and device and change them periodically. To make it easier to remember each, you should use a password manager to store, track, and manage your passwords securely.
Update Software and Firmware
One important step in securing your VR hardware, software, and data is by keeping your devices, applications, and firmware up to date with the latest security patches. This ensures that any identified vulnerabilities and bugs are mitigated. It is recommended to enable automatic updates where possible, or manually check for updates regularly. Furthermore, when downloading updates, ensure it is from trusted vendors and websites.
Lock your devices
As simple as it sounds, locking your VR and AR hardware is pivotal for ensuring they remain safe. Implementing locks fortifies your devices against unauthorized access, protecting not only the physical device and the sensitive data it stores. Establishing a robust lock screen or PIN code is fundamental, and for an extra layer of security, consider enabling biometric authentication methods like fingerprint or facial recognition if supported. Additionally, incorporate features for remote wipe or lock to swiftly respond to potential threats in cases of device loss or theft.
Virtual Private Network
Another practice to secure your VR and AR hardware and data is through encryption using a VPN. VPNs use encryption to scramble your data into unreadable code so that it is unusable to unauthorized individuals and third parties. Furthermore, it protects data from being intercepted or tampered with. Strong encryption practices, coupled with modifying your IP address, a VPN ensures the privacy of your identity and data especially on a public network.
Future Trends in Virtual and Augmented Reality Security
- Biometric Authentication: Authentication methods using biometrics might soon be implemented to enhance user verification. These include facial recognition, eye tracking, or movement tracking for heightened security.
- Blockchain for Virtual Asset Security: Blockchain technology can enable different VR platforms to seamlessly interact with each other and access content across different platforms. Furthermore, integrating blockchain technology could provide secure and transparent transactions for virtual assets, preventing fraud and enhancing overall security.
- AI-powered threat detection: Advanced AI and machine learning algorithms will soon be able to play a crucial role in identifying and mitigating potential threats in real time, allowing VR and AR systems to predict, adapt, and respond to evolving cybersecurity risks faster, and more effectively.
- Edge computing for reduced latency: Edge computing is an emerging computing paradigm that refers to a range of networks and devices at or near the user. The adaption of edge computing in VR and AR could reduce latency by processing data closure to the source, enhancing real-time interactions, and improving security by minimizing the exposure of sensitive data during transit.
- Development of Regulations: As loose regulations exist currently, there is an anticipation for advancements in stricter compliance measures, which would create a more standardized and secure environment to guide immersive VR and AR technologies.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the integration of VR and AR within our daily lives has ushered in a new era of innovation, entertainment, and digital interaction. However, it is important to recognize that as this transformative technology continues to blur the reality and virtual realm, the need to address security becomes prominent. Through examining these challenges and solutions in VR and AR security we have revealed a multifaceted landscape. From securing the VR environments that track our movements and eye tracking data, to potential threats of deep fakes and sextortion, the vulnerabilities present in the virtual realm are diverse. Similarly, AR presents its own set of risks through instances of insecure browsing and malware.
The future holds many prospects for securing these technologies, though integrating biometric authentication, blockchain, and advanced AI-powered threat detection. Furthermore, the development of regulations is becoming crucial, as the current lack of compliance measures contributes to the vulnerabilities that exist. Implementing best practices such as extensive application research, strong password policies, regular software updates, the use of VPNs and locking devices contribute to an approach to safeguarding both hardware and data.
In the dynamic landscape of VR and AR, where the realms of possibility are vast and ever-expanding, the pursuit of security isn’t a one and done solution. There needs to be a consistent commitment to innovation and shared responsibility between developers, users, and regulatory bodies. It is only through this teamwork, that we can ensure that the immersive technologies can be experienced without compromising the safety and privacy of those who choose to utilize them.
