Article: Digital distinctiveness - a study and review on the methods that prevent identity hacking in metaverse Journal: International Journal of Electronic Security and Digital Forensics (IJESDF) 2026 Vol.18 No.3 pp.288 - 309 Abstract: Digital identity is the most crucial element of any social technology, yet it is often the most vulnerable. The neurally connected nature of metaverse makes it very closely dependent on digital identity. While digital identity helps metaverse, by making it a user centric social technology, it also makes it quite vulnerable to identity hacking. Several crimes that occur in metaverse are interlinked with the theft of digital identity. The objective of this review paper is to conduct a comparative study on the currently existing methods that aim to preserve the digital identity of metaverse users. This comparative study will aim to understand each method based on two sets of parameters, which will give a clear report in terms of extent and availability of certain features that are necessary to prevent identity hacking. This study will also guide users in choosing the best-suited preventive method for identity hacking, for their virtual environment. Finally, the outcome of this review is to discuss the functioning of each method and understand its role in preserving digital identity in metaverse and have a clear picture of the comparative study and choose the best method for this virtual environment. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Digital distinctiveness - a study and review on the methods that prevent identity hacking in metaverse

Authors: Lakshmi Mansi Chada; S.P. Raja

Addresses: School of Computer Science and Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore – 632 014, Tamil Nadu, India ' School of Computer Science and Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore – 632 014, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: Digital identity is the most crucial element of any social technology, yet it is often the most vulnerable. The neurally connected nature of metaverse makes it very closely dependent on digital identity. While digital identity helps metaverse, by making it a user centric social technology, it also makes it quite vulnerable to identity hacking. Several crimes that occur in metaverse are interlinked with the theft of digital identity. The objective of this review paper is to conduct a comparative study on the currently existing methods that aim to preserve the digital identity of metaverse users. This comparative study will aim to understand each method based on two sets of parameters, which will give a clear report in terms of extent and availability of certain features that are necessary to prevent identity hacking. This study will also guide users in choosing the best-suited preventive method for identity hacking, for their virtual environment. Finally, the outcome of this review is to discuss the functioning of each method and understand its role in preserving digital identity in metaverse and have a clear picture of the comparative study and choose the best method for this virtual environment.

Keywords: metaverse; identity hacking; SSI; passwordless authentication; ZTA model; decentralised identity using blockchain; security; privacy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESDF.2026.153327

International Journal of Electronic Security and Digital Forensics, 2026 Vol.18 No.3, pp.288 - 309

Received: 27 Feb 2024
Accepted: 30 Apr 2024
Published online: 01 May 2026 *

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Title: Digital distinctiveness - a study and review on the methods that prevent identity hacking in metaverse

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