Cybersecurity Awareness amongst University Students: Legal Remedies and Policies to Mitigate Risks

Abstract

This article examines digital threats, learning safe online practices, and identifying available legal remedies. As technology advances more quickly, Nepal is becoming more vulnerable to ransomware, phishing scams, data breaches, and other forms of online crime. The word 'cyber' pertains to the tech environment encompassing networks, software, systems, and data. while security involves safeguarding all these cyber aspects. The data was gathered through multilingual online questionnaire format administered to university students from Undergraduate to M.Phil.-Ph.D. levels. The target sample size is 65 students who were enrolled in the previous academic session in 2023. Through surveys, we assess students' knowledge of cybersecurity measures and their responsiveness to common threats. A closed-ended questionnaire is a key tool to collect quantitative data and employ statistical methods to analyze it. The findings of This survey reveals significant gaps in cybersecurity awareness among students. Notably, 67.2% of respondents were familiar with the term 'hacking,' while only 46.9% showed awareness of Nepal's cybersecurity legal framework. This suggests a critical lack of understanding regarding basic legal protections and risk mitigation practices. However, this study suggests multi-faceted approaches such as legal education, practical cybersecurity training, curriculum designing, and institutional policies to safeguard students' digital interactions. This mini-survey aims to educate students about cyber challenges and protect them from accessing harmful digital platforms. It is supported by the National Cyber Security Policy 2023, which addresses key cybersecurity issues and vulnerabilities.