CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS BY USING SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AMONG STUDENTS

Abstract

The internet is not a secure place because of limited regulations. The unawareness of users about threats that can face them in cyberspace, can cause the successful execution of such threats. Users should establish a culture of awareness before entering the workforce. Therefore, academic institutions should engage in the process to enhance cyber security awareness (CSA) among students. In order to communicate effectively on CSA, the medium of communication should be familiar to the user and the user has to engage with this medium on a regular basis.

 Students at a higher academic institution reveal that they engage with social media platforms at least once a week with Facebook and YouTube the most popular. They also use communication media like websites to pursue material about CSA.

This study found that there is a lack among students to engage with CSA initiatives that are available. It is suggested that academic institutions can contribute to the awareness of students by providing CSA material on a regular basis to them. Institutions can make use of social media platforms (Facebook and YouTube) and also communication mediums (institutional website and e-mails) to communicate CSA material with the students.