AWARENESS OF CYBER SECURITY AMONGST STUDENTS

ABSTRACT

Despite the fact that the Internet has positively impacted people’s lives, there are negative issues related to internet use. Technology is now an integral part of education. It offers much potential to enhance teaching and learning not only in the classroom but beyond it, making education accessible via cyberspace. However, past research revealed that the level of awareness among Internet users is still low or moderate.Information security awareness can play an important role in facing cyber-attacks by intruders. The objective of this paper is to explore why it is so critical that 300 Level and 400 Level Computer Science students of the University of Benin are educated about the risks associated with being active in cyberspace and the strategies that stakeholders can use to promote cyber security education in schools. In this study a well-structured questionnaire survey method was applied to analyse computer science students specifically 300 Level and 400 Level Computer students’ awareness in the area of cyber security.The main goal of this paper is to attempt to understand the level of awareness of information security, the associated risks and overall impact. It can be deduced that information and computer security awareness education and related activities are insufficient.Also, it appears that educational institutions do not have a proactive approach to improve awareness among college students to increase their knowledge on these issues and how to protect themselves from potential cyber-attacks, such as identity theft or ransomware. In this paper, few strategies are discussed on how cyber security education can be implemented in schools. One of the vital measures to be taken is to cultivate knowledge and awareness among students. cybersecurity courses should be introduced, and cybersecurity course hours should be increased, students’ information and computer security awareness can be enhanced and negative effects of internet can be controlled. Students need Information and computer security awareness tutelage or education in other to operate in a safe manner in todays’ information superhighway and to protect themselves in the process.