Virtual Desktop now needs internet connection due to hack

Photo: Guy Godin

Anyone using Virtual Desktop in the future will need an internet connection. The developer wants to prevent piracy with this.

Virtual Desktop is one of the most popular VR apps. It lets you use your Windows computer in virtual reality, enjoy 2D movies and games in your virtual home theater, and stream PC VR games to your VR headset. In the Quest Store, Virtual Desktop is among the top 20 most successful premium apps based on the number of reviews.

Last week, a new update was released for Virtual Desktop that improves PC-side performance by up to 20%, according to developer Guy Godin.

Another new feature not mentioned in the Quest 2 release notes: Virtual Desktop now requires an internet connection. This is only documented on the VR app’s Discord server.

“This version and future versions require an internet connection to establish a connection to your computer. All traffic remains local. It’s unfortunate but piracy has become a real problem and it’s the only way for me to continue to serve you. offer lifetime free updates.Hope you can understand.

Meta Quest 2: When sideloading is abused

The new security measure caused a stir among users of the VR app. Relevant Reddit forums argue for and against online coercion, and some users write that they demanded a refund in protest.

Godin’s reasoning suggests that piracy has only recently become a bigger problem, at least for Virtual Desktop.

Hacking, however, has been part of the Quest platform since its inception. This should come as no surprise: the Quest platform supports sideloading, installing, and using content outside of the Meta Quest Store, which opens the door to hacking.

VR software would start to suffer from a hacking problem

Is this a recent jump due to possible economic conditions, or has it gradually increased with the user base?

— Brad Lynch (@SadlyItsBradley) December 10, 2022

The platform also currently has few other protections against hacking. This is a surprising fact given the size and fragility of the VR ecosystem and Meta’s desire to ensure developers can make a living from their VR apps and continue to deliver content to the platform. .

Meta does little to fight piracy

In its abuse policy, Meta warns against hacking and threatens hackers with account suspensions or charges. So far, however, there is no indication that the company is taking any action against the abuse.

So far, Meta has taken a soft approach and touted the App Lab as a way to install largely unorganized content on Meta Quest 2 without sideloading, likely in hopes that interest in apps from unknown sources will decrease. There has also recently been the option to try out some VR games for free.

It would be easy for Meta to act more decisively and regulate sideloading more strictly or prevent it altogether. However, this would likely earn Meta the accusation of closing the ecosystem even further to the outside world.

A step that would contradict Mark Zuckerberg’s claim that he wants to build an XR platform that would be like an XR-era Android, unlike Apple’s ecosystem approach.

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