A survey on college students’ cybersecurity awareness and education from the perspective of China

Abstract

As people increasingly rely on information and communication technology (ICT), a variety of cyber security issues are emerging, making improving cyber security awareness (CSA) an important topic. This quantitative study focuses on a group of college students from eight local public universities in China (n=1710) and aims to investigate their CSA and education levels using a 32-question questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and cross analysis were used to analyze the current situation related to cybersecurity in college. The results showed that nearly 50% of students spend more than four hours online, with female students spending more online time than males. Smartphones are currently the most popular devices, and spam is the most common issue they encounter. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, and One-way ANOVA test were used to analyze the levels of CSA and education. For CSA, all students are still weak in their password practices. Male students have higher CSA levels in usage habit related to device and HTTP use, but female students perform better in social media. Majors do not make a significant difference in CSA, and freshmen perform better than juniors in device and HTTP application. Regarding cybersecurity education, almost all students believe that colleges need to strengthen information security education. Male students are more familiar with cybersecurity laws, and there are differences in the education methods chosen by students in different majors. Students majoring in computer-related fields prefer more specialized knowledge. This study not only provides valuable insights into the prevailing state of CSA among college students but also offers effective recommendations for enhancing cybersecurity education practices in colleges. The findings underscore the importance of addressing weaknesses in password practices and emphasize the need for comprehensive educational approaches that encompass various facets of cybersecurity. Institutions should consider tailoring their instructional strategies to meet the unique needs of students from diverse academic disciplines. Moreover, fostering awareness of cybersecurity laws and regulations is crucial for all students, regardless of their major.

A Review of Cybersecurity Strategies in Modern Organizations: Examining the Evolution and Effectiveness of Cybersecurity Measures for Data Protection

“…Public perception and awareness of cybersecurity issues are crucial in shaping the effectiveness of cybersecurity measures. Hongbo and Tinmaz (2023) conducted a survey on college students in China to assess their cybersecurity awareness and education. The study reveals that students have weaknesses in password practices and suggests the need for comprehensive educational approaches to enhance cybersecurity awareness.…”

“…Their study suggests that educational games can be an effective tool for teaching cybersecurity concepts, improving knowledge and awareness among non-expert end users. The research by Hongbo and Tinmaz (2023) highlights the importance of cybersecurity education in colleges, especially in developing safe online habits and understanding the risks associated with poor cybersecurity practices. The study underscores the need for targeted educational programs to address specific areas of weakness among students.…”

Development and Validation of an Academic Involution Tendency Questionnaire based on Factor Analysis and Network Analysis

“…Particularly with the circulation of an image of "biketop computer" that depicting a student simultaneously using a computer while riding a bike on social media platforms (see Figure S1 in the online appendix), involution swiftly emerged as a prominent subject in the realms of psychology and education. This surge in interest led to a proliferation of both theoretical and empirical studies on the phenomenon of college students' academic involution (Guo, 2021;Yan et al, 2022;Yang et al, 2023;Yi et al, 2022;Zhang, 2022). In a review of existing literature, the descriptions of academic involution related to college students primarily focused on four aspects.…”