Malware attacks on University wi-fi network users in Ghana- a survey of the University of Education, Winneba.

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.