Attention metaverse pioneers and gamers: Cybercriminals are out to steal your money and data in 2023.
Experts believe that although the goals of those seeking to steal personal and financial information from consumers will not change next year, they will be targeting new people and platforms in an effort to circumvent their defenses.
According to Kaspersky cybersecurity researchers, cybercriminals will move to new frontiers as more people and businesses become aware of traditional email phishing and text scams.
The security of many of these exciting platforms is still in its early stages, and users may not be aware of potential dangers. Untold amounts of money and consumer data could be at risk. Bottom line: Scammers can target anyone.
This is a growing pool of potential victims. According to Kaspersky’s research, there has been an increase in online gamers overall. Sony’s PlayStation Plus Gaming subscription service begins to compete Microsoft’s GamePass service. Kaspersay added that criminals are increasingly interested in stealing account and related scams. Subscription streaming.
Here are the predictions of cybersecurity experts for 2023.
PlayStation VR: A catalyst
The Kaspersky researchers anticipate that online criminals will try to exploit another shortage after a year of supply rebound. PS5s next year stemming from the upcoming release of Sony’s PlayStation VR 2 headset, which is required by the console. Sony could also release a The console is available in a “Pro” version Scams could be rampant next year with fake presale offers and discounts as well as giveaways.
Cybercriminals are expected to target gaming accounts that have virtual currencies stored in them, with the goal of selling them off and obtaining real cash. Also, cryptocurrencies that are stored in gaming accounts could be at high risk.
Hackers have previously hacked gaming platforms for their profit. Cybercriminals attacked gaming platforms for profit in March. Over $600 million in cryptocurrency was stolen A network that processes in-game transactions for Axie Infinity (one of the most popular NFT videogames worldwide).
Additionally, Keep your crypto away from gaming platformsAndrey Sidenko is the lead web content analyst at Kaspersky. He advised that players keep their main credit cards and debit cards separate. He recommends temporary or virtual cards that are easily topped-up as and when necessary.
Metaverse scams will soon be a thing
When it comes to the metaThere are very few platforms that are available and the risks are not as clear. Although there could be business or industrial applications, they are still being used primarily for entertainment.
ShadowDragon CEO Daniel Clemens stated that he expects metaverse to experience the same security growing pains than any other new platform.
Clemens stated that the metaverse is not different in criminal behavior. Other users will need to be alert. “Wherever there is interaction between people, there will be a free marketplace that includes the good and the ugly.”
Patrick Garrity is vice president of Nucleus Security. He stated that the presence of digital assets like NFTs in the metaverse will make it vulnerable to scams. This is due to their transferability as well as the lack of regulation and consumer protections built into the platform. He stressed that cryptocurrency users must be very careful.
Garrity stated that “the best strategy is not to participate in cryptocurrency portions, as there are a strong probability of new users getting scammed,” adding that it is easy to determine people’s wealth based upon what their accounts look like and where they keep their wallets.
Kaspersky stated that the platforms are international and it is unlikely they will follow privacy regulations in their respective regions, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (Europe) or data breach notification laws. In the metaverse, there have been instances of sexual assault and virtual harassment. Researchers claim that this type of disturbing behavior will continue unregulated.
These threats are particularly frightening for gamers and users of metaverse, as many of those who become victims could be children.
Ransomware attacks on schools and districts will be a growing threat to kids’ data, according to cybersecurity experts. As data is being shared and collected from everyone, it will be a pressure on both consumers and businesses to secure it.
Although it might seem that parents don’t have much to do, experts recommend making sure children are set up for success. strong, unique passwords Their accounts and enable two-factor authentication As much as possible, keep the bad guys away from those accounts.
Kaspersky’s Sidenko agrees. Good antivirus software Protecting your home with anti-spam or anti-phishing tools is a great way to protect it in case someone clicks on a fraudulent link.
Schools IT professionals will have a hard time
Ransomware attacks on schools and school districts began in 2022. Districts from Los Angeles to small-town Michigan were the victims.
Andrew Wildrix is the chief information officer at cybersecurity company Intrusion.
He added that children are also using their devices for games, which they often share with others. However, it is possible that these apps or games could be extracting school-related information.
Wildrix explained that schools are unlikely to allocate funds for cybersecurity funding due to tight budgets. After that, it takes months of searching for the right cybersecurity protections. Then you have to raise the funds to purchase them.
He said that new threats had emerged since then and that schools were back at square one.
Wildrix stated that the current approach to cyberdefense is “reactionary”. “We need to take a holistic approach to cybersecurity in 2023. This means we have to think about the future and be open to new technologies.
It’s time for you to ask “Dude, where are my data?”
Without knowing where your data is stored and who it has been shared with it will be difficult to make sure it remains private.
FireTail’s founder and CEO, Jeremy Snyder, says that even the simplest online order, like ordering takeout from a delivery company, can involve multiple companies. It’s impossible to know how secure each company is.
Snyder believes that the greatest threat to privacy and security heading into 2023 lies in the lack of visibility. Companies collect and share so much data, they don’t always know where it is or who it belongs to.
“Will 2023 be the year companies finally recognize the severity of this problem?” Snyder asked. Snyder replied, “I sure hope so.”
Wildrix stated that consumers will also need to assess where their data is going. This includes Internet of Things device collection.
“How many things in your home are talking to you that you don’t know about?” He said that he’d seen Wi-Fi traffic from a robot vacuum send to a power plant in Mongolia. These are things that no one considers.”
Jeff Hodgin (Vice President of Product at CyberGRX) said that consumers should make it a priority to keep track of any personal information they share on social media. He points out that people who post on social media are promoting themselves as brands, just like companies would. Cybercriminals are more likely to target brands that are larger than theirs.
Hodgin stated, “Those who wish to promote their own interests should take into account their individual risk.” What is my exposure? What would the effect of a breach? How likely is that it will happen?
