Authors : Mithun Kumar A; Dr. V. Kavitha

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 1 - January

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/2tmrpzu4

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/bdh6dk6s

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14836484

Abstract : The metaverse, an immersive digital ecosystem, is revolutionizing the way people interact, work, and socialize. However, its rapid expansion has also given rise to significant challenges in cybersecurity, particularly in the realm of cybercrime and fraud. This paper explores the emerging threats within the metaverse, such as identity theft, financial scams, data breaches, and exploitation of virtual assets. The decentralized and anonymized nature of metaverse platforms, combined with their reliance on blockchain, cryptocurrency, and smart contracts, presents unique vulnerabilities. This study highlights key threat vectors, including phishing in virtual environments, malicious virtual items, and social engineering attacks targeting user trust. It also delves into the legal and ethical complexities of jurisdiction, regulation, and enforcement in a borderless digital realm.

References :

1. Cyber Threats in Social Metaverse and Mitigation Techniques" by S. S. Manvi and P. Venkataram (2023). This paper provides an in-depth analysis of cyber threats within social metaverse platforms and discusses various mitigation strategies.
2. Financial Crimes in Web3-empowered Metaverse: Taxonomy, Countermeasures, and Opportunities" by Jiajing Wu et al. (2022). This study categorizes financial crimes in decentralized metaverse ecosystems and explores countermeasures to address these challenges.
3. Darkverse -- A New DarkWeb?" by Raymond Chan et al. (2024). This paper explores the potential for illicit activities within the metaverse, drawing parallels with the Dark Web, and discusses challenges and future directions for investigation.
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