Awareness of Young Internet Users Towards Cyber Security And Cyber Crimes

The use of the internet is increasing in every sphere of life like internet banking, online shopping, payment of utility bills online, online classes and many other services after the eruption of COVID-19. The objective of the present study is to study the Awareness level among young Internet users towards cyber security and cybercrime. The scope of present study is restricted to the state of Himachal Pradesh. Further, only students are taken as a sampling unit. For accomplishing the objectives of the study, both primary and secondary data are utilized. The sample size of present study is 600 students. To select the sample for the present study convenience and purposive sampling was used. The study reveals that majority of respondents never change their passwords on frequent basis and most of the respondents are not aware of Two step verification. Further, it is also clear from the study that majority of  respondents provide no care for their browser security. Further, as far results related to awareness of antivirus, awareness of anti-spam practice, secure password practice, back up practice, firewall use practice verification of website security are concerned it have been found that majority of the respondents do not provide due consideration safeguards and are vulnerable to cyber-crimes. It is also clear from the results of the study majority of internet users have low level of awareness about cyber terrorism, opening of unknown attachments, clicking on unsolicited pop-up and confirmation of personal details among the respondents. On the basis of findings of the present study it is recommended that policy measures are required to increase the awareness level of internet users towards cyber security and cyber crimes.

Keywords: Cyber Security, Cyber Crime, Internet Awareness, Secure Password.