Have you heard about Web 3.0? Do you know what it means exactly?
It’s perfectly fine if you don’t know… Because in reality, not even IT workers seem to have it entirely clear. Today, I’ll try to give you a clear explanation.
Are you ready for it?
What Truly Is Web 3.0
Web 1.0 was formed by static pages. Later on, it jumped to the phase we’re in right now: Web 2.0, where tech giants rule the way we purchase, sell, and consume every single day.
On the other hand, Web 3.0 is that open and centralized used of data behind technology like blockchain. That’s where we’re heading to.
“The Semantic Web” is a paper released by Tim Berners-Lee to explain how the “Web” can be created in a way it expands with order and meaning.
He accurately describes the Semantic web “environment where software agents roaming from page to page can readily carry out sophisticated tasks for users”.
And just to prove how accurate it was, let’s take a look at the statistics:
- Global IP traffic will increase almost 3x over the next five years
- In 2020, annual global IP traffic reached 2.3 ZB per year.
- Smartphone traffic finally exceeded PC traffic
- And last, but not least: there are more devices connected to IP networks than the global population.
- and the number of devices connected to IP networks will be more than three times the global population by 2020.
This impressive data comes from CISCO VNI: Forecast and Methodology.
This is the volume of data we’re talking about. It’s undeniable that it’s growing faster than ever before – and isn’t stopping anytime soon.
If you don’t believe me when I say that Web 3.0 is already here, then just see what are the factors connected to it and judge by yourself:
1) Semantic Web: Improved to generate, share, and connect content through search/analysis-based engines, capable of understanding the meaning behind words – and not only keywords or numbers.
2) A.I.: In Web 3.0, computers are capable of understanding information just like humans do but faster and better.
3) 3D Graphic Design: Three-dimensional angles are being used now in websites and products more than ever before. Augmented reality is also implemented in museums, games, eCommerce stores, and probably many other businesses, somewhere in the world.
4) Connectivity: Information is connected all together, delivering a much better user experience, leveraging the stupidly-fast network speed that we benefit from today.
5) Ubiquity: Not only information is linked altogether, but applications can also interact with each other across any service you can think of. Here’s where the Internet of Things makes its appearance and scales to the point that almost everyone uses it.
With the previously mentioned, it’s easier to understand what Web 3.0 is exactly and it makes more sense to speak about the subject.
But I wouldn’t like to stop here, on the definition.
Today’s read is about something more important than that.
This article about looking to the past for learning from what failed miserably and also forward, to process what’s around the corner.
Web 3.0 is decentralized enough to achieve some early sovereignty for a fairer use and overall profitability on the internet.
But of course, this deeper connection comes at a price… And it ain’t as easy as it seems. It also comes with a few cybersecurity implications.
How Secure Is Web 3.0 In Comparison
The magnitude of data being collected right now is impressive. And while it sounds like a bad thing from plain view, most of this data is used to keep the on-going improvement of tech like AI flowing.
It’s being used to refine services you use every single day, so that won’t change as much. Hopefully, it will be filtered out in the nearby future.
Large companies make most of their profits from amassing this easily-accessible personal information, so there’s a real concern for people today. Privacy is often the number one topic debated about Web 3.0.
Both experts: Kevin Curran and Jake Morre, explains the topic in-depth:
Firstly, the professor of cybersecurity at Ulster University says:
“I cannot say for sure that data security would be enhanced with the open, decentralized networks that Web 3.0 envisages.
There are benefits with regards to security when you move to decentralized architectures, but on the other hand, there are also negatives.
For instance, a decentralized network can lead to increased robustness, but it also means that data is outside of a more secure centralized service where only one point of entry exists.”
And the cybersecurity specialist at ESET UK believes…
“Web 3.0 “isn’t yet defined” but that it shows that “security must be at the forefront and not an afterthought.
Web 3.0 can be likened to an artificial intelligence assistant that understands its user and personalizes everything. But to do this, it needs a plethora of personal data and habits which becomes an ever-increasing treasure trove for criminal hackers.
The Internet of Things has proven time and time again that security by design is an addition with ‘admin’ for the password and that’s if one is even set. So, when businesses are capturing data to predict a user’s thoughts before they have even opened their web browser, this data must be kept in a highly secure vault.”
Being said, nothing can be perfect. Even the most promising tech posses risks and disadvantages.
As soon as the Web becomes more intelligent and flexible to deliver a smoother experience… It also gets harder to provide a fully-protected environment.
But there’s a good side to it: winning business it’s not entirely about resources, anymore. Instead, if you’re able to protect your customer’s data and maintain trust between commercial relationships, then you win the game.
Do you respect your customer’s privacy?
Would you like to protect it and get their trust?
Then, there’s no time to lose.