University students’ awareness of internet fraud and applicable preventions

Abstract

This research analysed the level of awareness on internet fraud amongst university students. Besides, it also includes the applicable preventions that can be used by these students to prevent from falling victims of internet fraud.

These two issues form the purpose of this study, which has been achieved by conducting a triangulation research. The quantitative part of this dissertation has been done by means of an online survey distributed to the full time university students, aiming to bring out the level of awareness on internet fraud. With regards to the preventions, this was tackled through a qualitative approach. An interview with a police officer from the Malta Police Force situated in the Cyber Crime Unit was conducted. The results gathered from both approaches were analysed and discussed in line with what was found from the literature review.

The study examined the different definitions of internet fraud, the different types of this crime, the awareness of the general public and the university students and the preventative measures that can be used to avoid being a victim.