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| Cybercrime in Education Sector- Another face of Pandemic | |||||||
| Paper Id :
17163 Submission Date :
2022-11-11 Acceptance Date :
2022-02-19 Publication Date :
2022-11-23
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| Abstract |
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it a surge in cybercrime in the education sector. With students and teachers relying heavily on technology for remote learning, the sector has become an attractive target for cybercriminals. This essay discusses the various forms of cybercrime affecting the education sector, including phishing scams, cyberbullying, and online harassment. The essay also explores the impact of these crimes on students, teachers, and educational institutions, including the potential for financial loss, harm to mental health, and damage to reputation. Finally, the essay concludes by suggesting that educational institutions must take proactive measures to protect themselves from cybercrime, including implementing strong security measures, providing training and awareness programs, and promoting a culture of cyber safety.
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| Keywords | Cybercrime, education sector, COVID-19 pandemic, financial loss, mental health, reputation, security measures. | ||||||
| Introduction |
and teachers relying on technology for remote learning. While this has provided many benefits, it has also created new challenges, including an increase in cybercrime in the education sector.
Cybercrime in the education sector comes in many forms, but some of the most common include phishing scams, ransomware attacks, and hacking of online exams. Phishing scams are a type of cyber attack in which the attacker uses emails, websites, or social media to trick the victim into revealing personal information such as passwords and credit card numbers. Ransomware attacks involve encrypting the victim's files and demanding a ransom payment to unlock them. Hacking of online exams is another growing threat, as students and teachers alike are forced to take exams remotely.
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| Objective of study | The objective of this paper is to study the increasing cybercrime in education sector. |
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| Review of Literature | The consequences of cybercrime in the education sector can be devastating, with the loss of important data and financial losses being just the tip of the iceberg. A successful cyberattack can also disrupt the education process, causing delays and even the cancellation of exams. Moreover, the trust of students, parents, and teachers in online education can be severely eroded, making it more difficult for schools and universities to adopt new technologies and practices in the future. The most common types of cybercrime in the education sector are phishing scams, ransomware attacks, and hacking of online exams. Phishing scams use emails, websites, or social media to trick the victim into revealing sensitive information such as passwords and credit card numbers. Ransomware attacks encrypt the victim's files and demand a ransom payment to unlock them. Hacking of online exams is a growing threat, as students and teachers are forced to take exams remotely. In these attacks, hackers can access exam questions and answers, compromising the integrity of the exam process. |
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| Main Text |
Phishing Scams: One of the most common forms of cybercrime affecting the education sector is phishing scams. These scams typically involve criminals posing as a trusted source, such as a teacher or school administrator, and asking for sensitive information, such as login credentials or personal information. This information can then be used for financial gain or to gain access to sensitive information. A phishing scam targeted at a university in the United
States resulted in the theft of $1.75 million from the university's accounts.
The scam used emails that appeared to be from a legitimate source, such as a
vendor or a university administrator, to trick the victim into revealing their
login credentials. The attackers then used these credentials to access the
university's accounts and steal the funds.[1] Cyberbullying and Online Harassment:
Another form of cybercrime affecting the education sector is
cyberbullying and online harassment. This can include cyberbullying and
harassment between students, as well as harassment of teachers by students.
These crimes can have serious consequences for the mental health and well-being
of those affected.A school district inthe United States was hit by a ransomware
attack that encrypted all of the district's files.[2] The attackers demanded a
ransom payment of $10,000 to unlock the files, but the district refused to pay.
As a result, the district was unable to access important student records,
grades, and financial information for several days. Impact on Students, Teachers, and Educational
Institutions: Cybercrime in the education sector can have significant
financial and reputational consequences for students, teachers, and educational
institutions. For students, it can result in financial loss, harm to mental
health, and damage to their academic and professional careers. For teachers and
educational institutions, it can result in loss of confidential information and
damage to their reputation.[3] The consequences of cybercrime in the education sector
can be far-reaching and devastating. The loss of important data, such as grades
and student records, and financial losses are just the beginning. A successful
cyberattack can also disrupt the education process, causing delays and even the
cancellation of exams. The trust of students, parents, and teachers in online
education can also be eroded, making it more difficult for schools and
universities to adopt new technologies and practices in the future.
Furthermore, students who fall victim to cybercrime can be emotionally
traumatized, and their futures can be impacted as a result.[4] A group of students in a university in Asia were caught
cheating on an online exam by hacking into the exam server. The students were
able to access the exam questions and answers, giving them an unfair advantage
over their classmates. This resulted in a major controversy and led to a review
of the university's online exam security measures. These examples demonstrate the serious consequences of
cybercrime in the education sector and highlight the importance of taking steps
to protect against these threats. By implementing strong cybersecurity measures
and educating students and staff on safe online practices, schools and
universities can help to prevent these types of attacks and safeguard the
future of education. Protecting Against Cybercrime: Education institutions must take proactive measures to
protect themselves from cybercrime. This includes implementing strong security
measures, such as firewalls and encryption, providing training and awareness
programs for students and teachers, and promoting a culture of cyber safety. To protect against cybercrime in the education sector,
schools and universities must implement strong cybersecurity measures. This
includes using strong passwords, regularly backing up important data, and using
anti-virus and anti-malware software. It is also important to educate students
and staff on safe online practices, such as avoiding clicking on links from
unknown sources, being cautious of suspicious emails, and reporting any
suspicious activity to the relevant authorities. In addition, schools and
universities can work with cybersecurity experts to assess their
vulnerabilities and implement measures to address any gaps in their security
systems. Cyberbullying and Online Harassment: cyber
laws present Cyberbullying and online harassment refer to the use of
technology, such as social media, text messages, and emails, to harass,
threaten, or intimidate others. This behavior can have serious consequences,
and it's important to take it seriously. In terms of legal measures, there are a number of laws
that address cyberbullying and online harassment, including:[5] · The Electronic Communications Privacy Act
(ECPA) in the United States · The Criminal Harassment statute in Canada · The Malicious Communications Act in the
United Kingdom · The e-Commerce Directive in the European
Union These laws criminalize certain types of online behavior,
such as sending threatening messages or engaging in cyberstalking. It's
important to be aware of the specific laws in your jurisdiction, and to report
any incidents of cyberbullying or online harassment to the appropriate
authorities. In addition to legal measures, there are a number of steps that individuals and organizations can take to help prevent and address cyberbullying and online harassment. These include: · Raising awareness about the issue and its consequences · Encouraging bystander intervention · Promoting digital citizenship and online safety · Providing resources and support for those who have been
affected
. Monitoring and reporting any instances of abuse. On the legal side, the laws and regulations relating to
cybercrime vary by jurisdiction, but commonly include: · The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) in
the United States · The European Union's General Data Protection
Regulation (GDPR) · The Cybercrime Convention of the Council of
Europe · National laws addressing hacking, identity
theft, online fraud, and other cybercrimes
It's important to be aware of and comply with the
relevant legal requirements in your jurisdiction, as failure to do so can
result in penalties and fines. Additionally, victims of cybercrime may have
legal remedies available to them, such as the ability to bring a lawsuit
against the perpetrator. |
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| Conclusion |
In conclusion, cybercrime in the education sector is a growing concern that must be addressed. The COVID-19 pandemic has only increased the risks, as more students and teachers rely on technology for remote learning. To prevent cybercrime and protect students, teachers, and educational institutions, education institutions must take proactive measures, including implementing strong security measures, providing training and awareness programs, and promoting a culture of cyber safety.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live and work in many ways, and the education sector is no exception. With schools and universities shutting down and students forced to learn from home, the shift to remote learning has been a challenge for educators and students alike. However, it has also created new opportunities for cybercriminals, who have seized the chance to launch a wave of attacks aimed at the education sector.
To protect against these threats, it is important for schools and universities to implement strong cybersecurity measures. This includes using strong passwords, regularly backing up important data, and using anti-virus and anti-malware software. It is also important to educate students and staff on safe online practices, such as avoiding clicking on links from unknown sources, being cautious of suspicious emails, and reporting any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities. |
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| References | 1. “7 types of Cyber Security threats” (university of North Dakota) |
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