Abstract:
Malware attacks pose a significant and growing threat to cybersecurity, with millions of
new malware samples identified each year. This study investigates the prevalence and
characteristics of malware attacks on Wi-Fi network users in higher education institutions
in Ghana, focusing on the University of Education, Winneba's network. The research
employs a survey study approach and utilizes a questionnaire to collect data from a sample
of 364 students selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Partial Least
Squares analysis is used to examine the relationships between user knowledge, awareness,
behaviours, and malware attacks. The study aims to provide insights into the human factors
associated with malware vulnerabilities and to develop recommendations for effective
malware prevention strategies in academic institutions. The findings reveal a significant
prevalence of malware attacks, with variations across different types of malware. User
knowledge and awareness of malware are found to have a significant impact on reducing
the risk of attacks. Certain user behaviours, such as opening email attachments and visiting
malicious websites, are identified as key factors contributing to malware infections. The
study highlights the importance of and recommends user education and training, as well as
the implementation of robust technical security measures, in mitigating the threat of
malware in higher education institutions. The research contributes to the understanding of
human factors in cybersecurity and provides practical recommendations for enhancing
malware prevention in academic settings.
Description:
A thesis in the Department of ICT Education
Faculty of Science Education, submitted to the School of
Graduate Studies, in partial fulfilment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Philosophy
(ICT Education)
in the University of Education, Winneba
June, 2024
