Awareness on Computer Viruses among the Undergraduates of Faculty of Management Studies, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Due to the revolution in computer connectivity in digital technology, benefits as well as drawbacks are gifted. Virus infection is one of consequences that come under cybercrime and it is a new wave of crimes using the internet. With the development of the technology, virus writers try to spread virus that can go beyond the technology as well as this leads to cause financial losses. Youth usually tend to involve in cybercrime. Computer security experts have found that universities are the least secure place in the universe and the end users are the weakest link in the security chain. Because of this, they need to practice security controls properly. As a country that uses modern technology, Sri Lanka has also become dependent and it leads to cause a high risk on Information Technology in near future. Accordingly, it is expected from this study to examine the students’ awareness on computer viruses among the undergraduates in the Faculty of Management Studies, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. Researcher considered 144 undergraduates as the sample of the study upon convenient sampling technique and used questionnaires and a practical test to collect data. The collected data were analyzed using statistical package SPSS 21 and underwent with several tests like descriptive analysis, ANOVA, Independent sample t-test, correlation coefficient and regression analysis. The study concluded that students who follow different degree programmes had different level of awareness and they failed to apply the knowledge they received in practical situations. However, most of the students have used security methods in order to mitigate the related threats. Further, the findings revealed that there was no difference in the level of awareness on computer viruses between male and female students. This study recommends that the need of curricular revision of each discipline area should be employed so that they may gain good and same level of awareness. As the students have low practical usage, the study recommends arranging hands on workshops to gain practical knowledge. So, it would aid to enhance theoretical and practical knowledge in computer viruses and enhance capabilities to protect themselves and society from cyber threats.