Cybersecurity Awareness in Goa: A Descriptive and Inferential Study

Abstract

This study assesses cybersecurity awareness among internet users in Goa, focusing on young adults, students, and professionals. Using an online survey, data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to evaluate awareness of online risks, reporting behaviors, and associations with demographic factors. Findings show that most respondents were young adults (18–25) and students, with high daily internet usage but limited knowledge of cyber risks. While 59.8% felt confident identifying scams, 40.7% lacked knowledge of reporting mechanisms. Willingness to report cybercrime (65.9%) was significantly associated with trust in Goa Police, while status correlated with internet use. However, no significant links were observed between age and reporting knowledge. The results highlight partial and inconsistent cyber awareness, low exposure to safety campaigns, and mixed trust in law enforcement. Strengthening digital literacy, expanding outreach initiatives, and enhancing institutional trust are recommended to improve cyber resilience in Goa.

Introduction

1. Background

• The internet is essential in modern life but brings increasing cybersecurity threats like phishing, identity theft, ransomware, and online harassment.

• India is seeing a sharp rise in cybercrime cases, particularly affecting young internet users.

• Cybersecurity awareness is crucial to reducing risks, yet many users lack proper knowledge despite national initiatives.

• In Goa, where digital usage is rising (especially among students), there are concerns about awareness gaps, especially in recognizing threats and reporting cybercrime.

2. Objectives of the Study

• Assess the level of cybersecurity awareness among internet users in Goa.

• Identify who is most aware, who is vulnerable, and what factors influence awareness and reporting behavior.

• Use descriptive and inferential statistics (e.g., chi-square tests) to explore patterns and associations.

3. Literature Review Highlights

• India’s National Context:

  • Internet adoption is high, but knowledge of cyber risks is uneven.

  • Government programs (e.g., Cyber Swachhta Kendra, ISEA) lack consistent reach and depth.

• Youth and Students:

  • Heavy device use but limited understanding of reporting procedures.

  • Structured education/training improves safe behavior.

• Digital Literacy Campaigns:

  • One-off sessions are less effective.

  • Call for localized, sustained, and multi-stakeholder approaches.

• Reporting Behavior:

  • Trust in institutions (e.g., police) is key to whether people report cybercrimes.

  • Goa shows improved cybercrime reporting, but gaps in knowledge remain.

• Gaps Identified:

  1. Lack of Goa-specific, population-level data.

  2. Focus on knowledge, not actual behavior.

  3. Unclear operational guidance on how to report crimes.

4. Research Methodology

• Sample: Goa-based internet users across age, gender, and professions.

  • Majority were college students, the most digitally active group.

• Design: Quantitative, cross-sectional.

• Data Collection: Structured online survey (Google Forms) with closed-ended questions.

• Analysis Tools:

  • Descriptive statistics (frequencies, charts).

  • Chi-square tests to identify significant associations between factors like:

    • Trust in Goa Police ↔ Willingness to Report

    • Residence ↔ Cyber Safety Session Attendance

    • Age ↔ Knowledge of Reporting Procedures

• Software Used: Microsoft Excel, Python (pandas, matplotlib).

• Ethics: Anonymous participation and informed consent.

5. Key Descriptive Results

• Age: 88% of respondents were aged 18–25.

• Gender: 81.9% male, 18.1% female—indicating gender imbalance in participation.

• Findings highlight a tech-savvy yet vulnerable population, often confident in digital use but unsure about identifying threats or reporting them.

Conclusion

This study investigated the state of cybersecurity awareness in Goa through a combination of descriptive analysis and chi-square statistical testing. The findings highlight both progress and persistent challenges in fostering safe digital practices among Goan internet users. The descriptive results revealed that the majority of respondents were young college students, spending extensive time online yet possessing only partial knowledge of online risks. While many could recognize scams in principle, a significant portion remained uncertain, reflecting a confidence gap. Importantly, although willingness to report cybercrime was high, knowledge of how to report remained limited, with nearly half of respondents unclear about procedures. The inferential analysis underscored the decisive role of institutional trust: willingness to report was significantly associated with trust in Goa Police, suggesting that strengthening public confidence in law enforcement is essential for improving reporting rates. Other demographic factors such as age and residence were not significant predictors of reporting knowledge, reinforcing the idea that awareness outcomes depend more on institutional and contextual factors than on demographics alone. Taken together, the results point to four critical implications: 1) Youth-centric focus: Campaigns must target college students and young adults, who dominate internet usage in Goa. 2) Institutional trust-building: Enhancing responsiveness and visibility of police cybercrime units will encourage victims to report incidents. 3) Bridging the procedural gap: Outreach efforts should emphasize not only risk awareness but also practical steps for reporting through local helplines, cyber cells, and the national cybercrime portal. 4) Expanding outreach: Sustained, interactive, and localized campaigns are needed to increase exposure, particularly for those who have never attended formal sessions. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that while Goa’s internet users—particularly youth—are highly active online, they remain partially prepared to face cyber threats. Strengthening cyber literacy through trust-based, practical, and targeted interventions will be vital for ensuring digital safety and resilience in the state.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Gaurav A. Naik. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.