Web 1.0 was the first method for retrieving information from an internet network. Web 2.0 allowed interaction between users, and the Internet became a vast social network. Web 3.0 is now in its latest evolution in the internet experience.
Students considering a career in software development, cybersecurity, and networking should ensure they have invested the time to learn about Web 3.0 and its critical components, including blockchain, adaptive artificial intelligence, and superapps development. Machine learning, digital wallets, and a deep understanding of cryptocurrency will also benefit students looking to enter into these fields.
In this article, we’ll discuss the cybersecurity risks of Web 3.0, the role of AI and ML, as well as the impact of Web 3.0 in the workplace.
Cybersecurity Risks of Web 3.0
Web 1.0 refers to how people used the World Wide Web (WWW) before social media. Users could access the WWW by typing in URLs into their browsers. It would present them with content from various websites. In web 2.0, users could interact with each other, so the WWW became a vast world of online social interactions. Nowadays, we call it social media.
Cybersecurity attacks became more common as the WWW developed, because each level of development created more interaction between the users and the various forms of content. Social media became a launch area for hackers to send phishing emails and engage in social engineering attacks.
The Increasing Role of AI and MI
The next generation of artificial intelligence is a critical pillar in Web 3.0. Adaptive AI added the ability for cybersecurity controls to auto-remediate the client’s networks based on real-time analysis. More global organizations continue to report an increase in the velocity of attacks beyond the point of human-only SecOps capabilities. Adaptive AI, similar to first-generation AI, requires more access to security logs, live telemetry, and API access to be effective. Information quality is questioned because hackers often manipulate data sources before they are fed into the AI engines.
Additional security risks and concerns arise around adaptive AI partially because of the cost and expertise needed. Adaptive AI requires extensive data analysis and data science knowledge to configure the various data sets and conditions properly. Data manipulation is a cause for security concern with Web 3.0, along with challenges in technologies yet to be proven secure, including superapps, Dapps, and agile industry platforms.
Overcoming Web 3.0 Security Issues
Although Web 3.0 has a promising future, some security problems must be addressed by businesses or organizations committed to developing the WWW further. Web 3.0 supporters say Web 2.0 has greater security. Although it’s true, the WWW is not perfect, and security problems will be constant. There is less data available for Web 3.0’s cybersecurity risks due to it needing to be fully implemented.
The continued evolution of cryptocurrency, smart contracts, and auto-remediation services will give organizations more capabilities for their digital transformation strategies. Availability, confidentiality, and integrity will be critical for companies to maintain before, during, and after the inception of Web 3.0.
Know the Risks of Web 3.0
At the beginning of the WWW, businesses created static web pages to provide important announcements. With Web 2.0, people became familiar with online social networking and new ways of sharing information.
However, these new methods of sharing information did not overshadow centralized institutions’ use of users’ data. With Web 3.0 and big data, there are several risks that may impact the WWW on a broader scale.
Web 3.0 generates an environment where applications and sites can analyze data in an automated manner through big data and decentralized ledger technology. Data is distributed and open, contrary to Web 2.0, and is autonomous and intelligent. Cyber security is a critical aspect of technology. As the Internet develops, more cybersecurity threats will become apparent.
Below are some of the cybersecurity risks associated with Web 3.0.
Privacy Concerns
A significant problem with Web 2.0 was the theft of private information. A hacker can hack into a computer to steal any data they need. Web 3.0 has a largely automated control system, but the problems lie with this feature. In a Web 2.0 environment, a user must have access to data to run Web 2.0. It provided this information to all users using Web 3.0.
Social engineering attacks continue to affect global organizations. Web 3.0 architecture is a distributed model with users dictating the blockchain platform they wish to host their data. User-driven data locale, along with the use of superapps, including WeChat, Line, and Metaverse, will see increases in social engineering attacks. User impersonation attacks, email phishing attacks, and spam will continue to be cybersecurity concerns in Web 3.0 security.
Potential Increase in Spam
Web 3.0 uses search engines, websites, and application websites to provide a database of resources. The user can use the database to respond. It makes it much easier for people to use contaminated or harmful resources by dumping them in their streams. Users are vulnerable to viruses or ripoff malware, which may compromise their systems. Some concerns include the misuse of state-owned meta-world.
Harmful Smart Contracts
Innovative contract technology is a program that runs on a blockchain. It executes the contract immediately if two parties meet the criteria for the agreement. Scammers can inject malicious code into smart contracts. This can cause intelligent contracts to act unusually.
What Impact will Web 3.0 Have in the Workplace?
Web 3.0 and Metaverse can help to improve employee engagement and productivity in a fast-changing Workplace 2.0 environment. Investing in this technology is critical for building your organization’s future potential.
Web 4.0
Web 4.0 services will be autonomous, proactive, content-exploring, self-learning, collaborative, and content-generating agents based on fully matured semantic and reasoning technologies and AI.
Knowledge for Today and in the Future
As data becomes more centralized with Web 3.0, it becomes a bigger target for malicious cyber attacks. Anyone considering a career in software development, cybersecurity, and networking should not only understand the fundamentals of Web 3.0, but should also be aware of the risks associated with this iteration of the WWW. Obtaining a cybersecurity degree or software development degree can give those looking to enter these fields the knowledge, certifications, and skills necessary for a successful career.
