Introduction
Many concepts and theories of human behavior have been developed over the last few centuries. Some of these have also been revised and updated to cater to the fast-changing world. The impact of artificial intelligence on human behavior has been a subject of research for some time now, and this is also one area that has seen a lot of changes owing to the emergence of cryptocurrency.
The impact of cryptocurrency on human behavior in cyberspace cannot be overlooked because it has forced us to rethink our perceptions about risk and trust, trustless systems, digital tokens (or coins), and much more. This article explores the various aspects of how cryptocurrency impacts human behavior in cyberspace.
Understanding Human Behavior in Cyberspace
Cyberspace is that virtual world that exists on computer networks. It is a vast interconnected network that allows computers to exchange data remotely and autonomously.
Cyberspace is also used to refer to the Internet, World Wide Web, and other computer networks, such as corporate networks, that use the Internet Protocol (IP). Humans use cyberspace for communication, entertainment, business, education, and other social and commercial activities.
The behavior of individuals and groups in cyberspace is heavily influenced by their culture, beliefs, values, norms, ethics, and morals. The way people behave in cyberspace is a direct reflection of how they behave in the real world.
The challenge for researchers, psychologists, and social scientists is understanding virtual world inhabitants’ behavior better.
The Role of Identification and Authentication in Cyberspace
The concept of identification and authentication has been around for a long time. It is the process of determining an individual’s identity based on personal attributes, such as name, address, etc. The same concepts hold when we talk about cyberspace.
However, there are a couple of factors that need to be considered when we are talking about identification and authentication in cyberspace. For example, the physical attributes of an individual are not always the deciding factors in cyberspace.
This is because, in cyberspace, the individual may communicate with a machine, not another human being. Another factor that comes into play here is that cyberspace is a virtual world with nonexistent geographical boundaries.
This means that individuals from different parts of the world can access the same information and resources and even communicate with each other.
Therefore, identification and authentication need to be carried out in a foolproof and reliable manner which is where cryptography comes into play. It is a branch of computer science that deals with creating and studying mathematical protocols that can be used for computer security.
Impact of Virtual Currencies on Human Behaviour in Cyberspace
Virtual currencies are digital assets used as a medium of exchange for goods and services. They can be used as a replacement for real money and stored in a virtual wallet. These virtual currencies are typically used in online games, social media platforms, and cyberspace economies.
They are entirely different from real-world currencies like the USD and the GBP. The concept of virtual currencies came into being in the 1990s when video game companies started giving their users rewards as points, which they could redeem for virtual goods or services.
The users could only use these virtual currencies inside the virtual world of a particular game. Unfortunately, online fraudsters soon discovered they could exploit these virtual currencies and the systems used to create and store them, which was when the concept of cryptocurrencies emerged.
The impact of cryptocurrency on cybercrime
Cybercrime is the illegal use of computers to cause harm to individuals, organizations, and societies. Cybercriminals often abuse cyberspace’s anonymity and transnational nature to commit fraud, steal sensitive data, destroy systems, or commit other crimes.
The first significant cybercrime incident was traced back to 1988 when computer hackers broke into a US Navy computer and stole sensitive information—as the use of computers and the Internet spread, so made the threat of cybercrime.
In the early 2000s, online criminals discovered the potential of virtual currencies. They used these currencies to buy and sell stolen credit card numbers, create online scams, and even hire botnets for distributed denial of service attacks.
The impact of cryptocurrency on human behavior in e-commerce
E-commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services over the Internet. E-commerce has been a part of cyberspace since the early 1990s. However, it has seen a significant boost in recent years owing to the spread of high-speed Internet connectivity.
E-commerce is expected to generate global revenue worth $4.8 trillion by 2022. Cryptocurrency has played a significant role in the growth of e-commerce. It has helped build trust among buyers and sellers. It has also helped drive down the cost of conducting business online. The use of blockchain technology has facilitated the rapid adoption of cryptocurrency.
Blockchain is an open, distributed ledger that records transactions between two parties in a verifiable and permanent way.
The Impact of Cryptocgmium on Human Behavior in Cyberspace
Human behavior in cyberspace is heavily influenced by their trust in each other and the systems they use. This can be exemplified by the way cryptocurrencies have impacted cyberspace. Cryptocurrencies are digital tokens that are created using cryptography.
They are decentralized and operate outside the control of governments and banks. Cryptocurrencies were introduced to the world in 2009 when the first ever cryptocurrency was created, Bitcoin. Bitcoin was created by an unknown person or group who went by the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Although many people have criticized cryptocurrencies, there is no denying that they have had a significant impact on cyberspace.
They have helped increase the trust among individuals and businesses operating in cyberspace. At the same time, they have helped reduce the risk associated with dealing with people from different parts of the world.
Trust, risk, and cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrencies are built on the foundation of trust. This trust is generated by the fact that cryptocurrencies are decentralized and operate outside the control of any government or financial institution. Any person in the world can use cryptocurrencies for transactions, and no one entity can control the flow of commerce.
Even though cryptocurrency transactions are transparent, the identities of the people involved are not revealed, which adds to investors’ trust in cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrencies are used for a wide range of transactions.
They are used for remittances, e-commerce, and trading. All these activities are carried out in cyberspace. Cyberspace is a virtual world where people from all over the world can connect and exchange information, money, and goods.
Digital Tokens and Cyberspace
Cyberspace is a virtual and parallel universe where people meet and interact with each other and machines. Given this reality, it is only natural that cyberspace should have its currency. Tokens are digital representations of value.
When tokens are created on a blockchain platform, they have specific characteristics, such as being programmable, fungible, and transferable. Tokens can represent many things in cyberspace. They can represent voting rights, ownership of a company, access rights to a platform, or even the value of an asset.
Tokens can be programmed to trigger specific actions when conditions are met. For example, a token can be programmed to transfer another token to another wallet if a particular act has been completed. Cyberspace is a parallel universe where people meet, interact, and transact.
Digital tokens play an essential role in cyberspace because they are the source of value necessary for any transaction to take place.
