Analysis Of Cyber Crimes Awareness In The Educational Sector

This study was carried out to examine cyber crimes awareness in the educational sector using university of Lagos State as a case study. The study was specifically set to assess the awareness of students and stakeholders on the prevalence of cyber crimes in educational institutions in Nigeria, assess the awareness of students and stakeholders on factors associated with the prevalence cyber crime among students, assess the awareness of students and stakeholders on the forms of cyber crime prevalent among educational institutions in Nigeria, and assess the awareness of students and stakeholders on effect of cyber crime on educational quality in Nigeria. The survey design was adopted and the simple random sampling techniques were employed in this study. The population size comprise of students and stakeholders of university of Lagos State. In determining the sample size, the researcher conveniently selected 229 respondents and 210 were validated. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using frequency tables. While the hypotheses were tested using Chi-square statistical tool. The result of the findings reveals that students and stakeholders are aware on the prevalence of cyber crimes in educational institutions in Nigeria. Furthermore the result of the findings reveals that students and stakeholders are aware on effect of cyber crime on educational quality in Nigeria. Therefore, it is recommended that the government should intensify campaigns on cybercrime awareness among Nigerian students in order to make them understand that cybercrime is a criminal offence punishable under the criminal act, with the attendant adverse consequence of jeopardizing their educational accomplishments when convicted. To mention but a few.

Introductiion

1.1 Background of the Study

We are currently living in an age where the use of the Internet has become second nature to millions of people�" (Kritzinger & von Solms, 2010). Of all modern technology, the Internet has become one of the most significant inventions to date (Hunton, 2011). Over the years the Internet has developed immensely, providing billions of individuals and organisations across the globe with digital communication (Livingstone & Helsper, 2007). In the modern way of doing business, organisations use the Internet to meet their aims and to enable business processes (Hunton, 2011). Over and above its communication value, people use the Internet for financial and entertainment purposes (PEW Internet, 2012). As a result, large numbers of people have become dependent on it. Although the Internet offers numerous advantages, it is constantly threatened by many risks that often have serious adverse effects on those who use the Internet. One of these risks is online crime (Riem, 2001). The Internet has given criminals a platform on which to grow and proliferate (Selwyn, 2008); furthermore, it is easy for criminals to go unpunished because of the abstract nature of the Internet and the difficulties involved in tracing the origins of such crime (Hunton, 2011). Core to criminal activities on the Internet is the exploitation of private information (De Joode, 2011). Thus, Internet users are at risk of having their private information compromised. According to Thomson, Von Solms, and Louw (2006), many users are unaware of the concept of protecting information. Moreover, users online often behave in an unsecure manner which makes them easy targets for exploitation. Consequently, humans are deemed as ―a severe threat to each other"s security�" (Mitnick & Simon,2002). Moreover, users not only pose a threat to each other, but also to national security (Grobler, Dlamini, Ngobeni, & Labuschagne, 2011). In view of the risks that accompany the ever-increasing reliance on the Internet, certain safety and security measures have been adopted. Many developed countries, such as the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK) and others, have established and implemented a number of cyber security measures. Part of these measures involves awareness and education initiatives. This is due to the fact that lack of knowledge is viewed as a factor that contributes to insecure online behaviour by Internet users (Thomson et al., 2006). The following subsection provides more detail on the cyber security efforts of some developed countries.

Cybercrime (in a broader sense) is a criminal activity carried out using electronic devices (computers), the communication network (internet) and data with the sole purpose of extorting valuables from victims, once a weakness is exploited (Aghatise, 2011). Cybercrime is targeted at the victim once a weakness is exploited (Aghatise, 2011). Cybercrime is targeted at the victim"s computer, with the intention of spreading malware, obtaining illegal information, and gaining unauthorized access to make a profit or steal vital information from victims. Cybercrime is perhaps the most involved high-tech crime of the twenty-first century. As the internet and its associated technologies permeate more and more aspects of human activity, so do the vulnerabilities to cyber victimization. The internet revolution has createdsome new patterns of criminal activity hitherto unknown to humanity and also new, intriguing patterns of criminal victimization across the world. Cybercrime issues have become high profile, especially those that are related to hacking, copyright infringement, child pornography, and child grooming (Pitts, 2007).

Cybercrime is a crime which involves the use of digital technologies in the commission of an offence, directed at computing and communication technologies in the commission of an offence, directed at computing and communication technologies. The modern techniques that are proliferating towards the use of internet activity result in creating exploitation and vulnerability, making it a suitable way of transferring confidential data to commit an offence through illegal activity (Ebelogu, Ojo, Andeh & Agu 2019). The activity involves things like attacking the information center data system, theft, child pornography built images, online transaction fraud, internet sale fraud, and also deployment of internet activities such as viruses, worms, and third party abuse like phishing, email scams, etc. The contribution of the internet to the development of the nation has been marred by the evolution of new waves of crime. The internet has become an environment where the most lucrative and safest crime thrives. Cybercrime has come as a surprise and a strange phenomenon that now lives with us in the educational system of Nigeria. With each passing day, we have witnessed more and more alarming cases that are more shocking than the ones before. Their study investigates the effect of cyber crimes awareness in the educational sector.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Cyber security awareness and education is central to any attempt to secure cyberspace. Accordingly, developed countries have established national cyber security initiatives to create a society and commercial world that is knowledgeable about protecting itself from cyber-related threats. Since cyber security is a global issue, it is therefore essential that every country have a clearly defined plan for instilling cyber security knowledge in all sections of society. However, Nigeria is still lacking in this regard, and therefore the problem statement addressed in this study can be defined as: Nigeria is ill prepared to educate its citizens on how to behave securely whilst active in cyberspace. For this reason, individuals put themselves, as well as businesses and governmental assets and infrastructure, at risk.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The general aim of this study is to examine cyber crimes awareness in the educational sector. To achieve this, the study will specifically

• Assess the awareness of students and stakeholders on the prevalence of cyber crimes in educational institutions in Nigeria.
• Assess the awareness of students and stakeholders on factors associated with the prevalence cyber crime among students.
• Assess the awareness of students and stakeholders on the forms of cyber crime prevalent among educational institutions in Nigeria.
• Assess the awareness of students and stakeholders on effect of cyber crime on educational quality in Nigeria.

1.4 Research Question

The following questions will guild this study;

• What is the awareness of students and stakeholders on the prevalence of cyber crimes in educational institutions in Nigeria?
• What is the awareness of students and stakeholders on factors associated with the prevalence cyber crime among students?
• What is the awareness of students and stakeholders on the forms of cyber crime prevalent among educational institutions in Nigeria.
• What is the awareness of students and stakeholders on effect of cyber crime on educational quality in Nigeria?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

Ho: There is no adequate cyber crimes awareness in the educational sector.

Ha: There is adequate cyber crimes awareness in the educational sector.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study will be invaluable to education stakeholders in Nigeria and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) as it will apprise them of the increasing prevalence of cyber crime in the education sector, the dynamic ways through which students carry out cyber crime activities and the reasons why they engage in it. Much more, this study will ignite the need to strictly sanction students who are involved in cyber crime and the lecturers who promote these ugly acts.

Additionally, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regards to the analysis of cyber crimes awareness in the educational sector

1.7 Scope of the Study

The general focus of this study boarders on the analysis of cyber crimes awareness in the educational sector. However, the study will be delimited to Lagos State.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint was the scanty literature on the subject owing to the nature of the discourse thus the researcher incurred more financial expenses and much time was required in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size. Additionally, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. More so, the choice of the sample size was limited as few respondent were selected to answer the research instrument hence cannot be generalize to other schools. However, despite the constraint encountered during the research, all factors were downplayed in other to give the best and make the research successful.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Cyber Crime:

Cybercrime, also called computer crime, the use of a computer as an instrument to further illegal ends, such as committing fraud, trafficking in child pornography and intellectual property, stealing identities, or violating privacy.

Educational Sector:

The education sector includes both formal, school-based programming and informal, community-based programming.

1.10 Organization of the Study

The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study, sample size determination, sample size, and selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.

Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations:

5.1 Introduction

This chapter summarizes the findings on cyber crimes awareness in the educational sector using university of Lagos State as a case study.The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.

5.2 Summary of the Study

In this study, our focus was to examine cyber crimes awareness in the educational sector using university of Lagos State as a case study.The study was specifically carried out to assess the awareness of students and stakeholders on the prevalence of cyber crimes in educational institutions in Nigeria, assess the awareness of students and stakeholders on factors associated with the prevalence cyber crime among students, assess the awareness of students and stakeholders on the forms of cyber crime prevalent among educational institutions in Nigeria, and assess the awareness of students and stakeholders on effect of cyber crime on educational quality in Nigeria.
The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 210 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent arestudents and stakeholders of university of Lagos State.

5.3 Conclusion

Based on the findings of this study, the researcher concluded that;

Students and stakeholders are aware on the prevalence of cyber crimes in educational institutions in Nigeria.

Students and stakeholders are aware on factors associated with the prevalence cyber crime among students.

Students and stakeholders are aware on the forms of cyber crime prevalent among educational institutions in Nigeria.

Students and stakeholders are aware on effect of cyber crime on educational quality in Nigeria.

5.4 Recommendations

Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are proffered.

The government should strengthen its security agencies, loaded with the arduous responsibility of fighting cybercrimes in Nigeria.

The government should set up a mechanism to track and investigate the menace of cyber criminals within and outside institutions.

The government should intensify campaigns on cybercrime awareness among Nigerian students in order to make them understand that cybercrime is a criminal offence punishable under the criminal act, with the attendant adverse consequence of jeopardizing their educational accomplishments when convicted.

National Cyber Security Awareness Program (NCSAP) should endeavour to sponsor media (internet, radio and television) to strengthen and intensify education through awareness creation in order to have cybercrime free society since these are the students" common source of knowledge on cybercrime with focus on the youth which includes senior high students. This can educate the public on the act, effects and other consequences of cybercrime to every citizen found anywhere in the community, school, mosques, churches and homes.

The school authority should collaborate with parents to counsel and educate students on the effects on their engagement in cybercrime on their academic performance. The school can establish guidance and counseling unit in the school to give counseling to culprits within the school in various forms and also teach them morals.

The justice system must come out with policies to deal with all matters relating to cybercrimes by establishment of cybercrime courts in the country to prosecute cybercriminals and parents who do not take good care of their children by allowing them engage is such crime. They should also encourage more people to take up courses on cyber law and cybersecurity in a form of scholarship especially lawyers and judges within the justice system.

• Computer Education Project Topics and Materials