Cybersecurity Awareness in Online Education: A Case Study Analysis

Abstract

This study presents to what extent Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University students are knowledgeable about cybersecurity in the distance education process. The survey was conducted with a sample of 517 students from all faculties of the university at the undergraduate, graduate, and PhD levels. Our research study shows that although huge numbers of cyberattacks are occurring around the world, the students did not have any knowledge about cybersecurity and the effects of cyberattacks overall. An analysis of cybersecurity awareness was undertaken by asking questions focused on malicious software, password security, and social media security. Although we live in an age of technology where our entire lives are indexed to the internet through the distance education process, it has been determined that students have a weak cybersecurity awareness. It has been further concluded that cybersecurity education should be given to prevent the students from becoming a victim of cyberattacks, helping them to use the internet more effectively.