The technology of virtual reality, which has spread relatively recently, is rapidly evolving and gaining popularity. Manufacturing companies are actively developing and experimenting with this new technology. Virtual reality is used not only in the entertainment industry but also in science, education, medicine, architecture, and others. For cybercriminals, access to such data can become an attractive target.

At present, cases of hacking VR headsets and glasses are not widespread, but as virtual reality technologies develop and their popularity increases, it can be expected that such attacks will become more relevant for cybercriminals. Examples of cases may include vulnerabilities in the software of VR devices, which can be used for remote control or for collecting confidential information. In the future, with an increase in the number of VR technology users, the likelihood of such device hacks may increase.

VR technology

Virtual reality is a technology that allows users to immerse in a three-dimensional virtual world using technical means. A person can either simply observe another reality through glasses—watching 360-degree videos—or interact with it by playing games using controllers.

A full VR set includes a headset, controllers, and cameras. The headset creates the sensation that the player is in another reality—he or she can see and hear it. Motion sensors and accelerometers provide additional opportunities to fully immerse in the game. With controllers, one can perform actions and control their movements in the game, while cameras additionally collect information—reading the player's movements and warning if the player approaches set boundaries in real life, for example, a wall or furniture.

It's also important to highlight the capabilities of devices operating in augmented reality mode, where a person simultaneously sees both the good old "analog" world and virtual interfaces with which they can also interact.

Risks and information security threats when using VR

Cybercriminals may be interested in users' confidential data. By finding vulnerabilities in a VR application and hacking it, they can gain access to cameras and microphones.

Hacking VR headsets is a serious violation of users' privacy and security. Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in the software or hardware of devices to access users' personal data, including location information, physiological parameters, and even video and audio recordings of virtual reality sessions. This can lead to various negative consequences, including theft of personal information, blackmail, privacy breaches, and even physical danger.

Cybercriminals can also deploy VR exploits to gain control over players' devices. In this case, they have access to the PC, can activate the microphone to eavesdrop, monitor user actions, and collect various information, including bank transactions, logins, and passwords.

If malicious software replicates itself, it can infect all visitors in a virtual room. This allows for collecting data about many people at once, monitoring their actions, encrypting files on their PCs, and then blackmailing them for ransom to restore access. When using a VR headset or set in business, hacking will have more serious consequences. A computer connected to a VR device becomes an entry point for cybercriminals into the corporate network.

Data protection and ensuring virtual reality security

To protect devices from hacking, it's necessary to understand the threat level and take security seriously. Here are some recommendations for protection. 

Regularly update the VR headset software to eliminate identified vulnerabilities and provide protection against new types of cyber threats. Connect only to secure Wi-Fi networks with data encryption (such as WPA2). Also, avoid open and unreliable networks to prevent interception of personal information.

It's important to protect access to the VR headset with a password or other authentication methods to prevent unauthorized access to the device. VR headset applications should be downloaded only from official stores to avoid installing malicious software. Finally, if possible, configure access rights to the device's data and functions to limit third-party applications' access to personal information. Following these measures will reduce the risk of cyber threats and ensure the safe use of VR headsets online.

Also important not to neglect updating your devices' software, as cybercriminals are constantly looking for new ways to access others' devices. Companies, in turn, promptly fix vulnerabilities in their products. For example, Apple released the first security patch fixing a zero-day vulnerability for Apple Vision Pro the day after journalists published reviews.

Conclusion

The use of virtual and augmented reality is rapidly evolving. New ways of applying it are found in various fields. There are not many cases related to the hacking of VR headsets and VR sets. However, experts predict an increase in attacks by cybercriminals in the future, proportional to the spread of VR technologies.

Using vulnerabilities in VR devices, cybercriminals can collect confidential data, record audio from microphones, and video from cameras, and even gain control over PCs and access corporate systems. To avoid this, it's necessary to take precautions: update software in time, not share access data with anyone, connect only through reliable Wi-Fi networks, and install VR applications only from official stores.