This section is currently under construction as the dynamic of this blog continues to evolve.
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Neal Stephenson defined the Metaverse in his 1992 novel Snow Crash, as a virtual world where humans, as avatars, interact with each other and software agents in a three-dimensional space that metaphorically mirrors the real world. The novel, certainly an enjoyable read (one of Time Magazine’s 100 greatest English-language novels from 1923 to present), foreshadows the ubiquitous utilization of the Metaverse as a supplemental component to life in the real world.
So why is this interesting? As time has progressed it has been fascinating to see the evolution of operational packet switched networks. First, there was ARPANET, which eventually began leveraging various protocol standards (TCP/IP, DNS, etc) and evolved into today’s Internet. As we have seen, the Internet has drastically improved our ability as human beings to communicate and collaborate. Eventually came the World Wide Web, a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessible via the Internet and viewed with a standard Web browser. The World Wide Web made the power of interconnected systems and interconnected people more apparent. It provided a simplistic medium for accessing and disseminating information that anyone could use.
For two decades we have seen the power of the World Wide Web. However, the World Wide Web is simply a two-dimensional space to manipulate and maneuver through the Internet. Inevitably, we will begin to see a new means of which to navigate the Internet in a three-dimensional context similar to Stephenson’s Metaverse. This third-dimension will provide unimaginable opportunity for everyday users, businesses, organizations, educators, entrepreneurs, etc. It will be fascinating to see how human beings, upon coming together, leverage this three-dimensional Metaverse.
In addition to the existence of this third-dimension of Internet context, virtual worlds will expose the fundamental power of social networks by means of avatar interaction. Virtual worlds will give social networks whole new meaning.
As an information security professional, I wish to research and delve into the many security issues concerning this virtual context. Today, virtual goods and virtual currency possess monetary value in the real world. Cybercriminals are aware of this and seek means of which to exploit this medium to make money. This blog is simply an opportunity for me to think about various security issues and conceptualize my thoughts.