AN ANALYSIS OF CYBERCRIME VICTIMISATION AND PREVENTION: A STUDY OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OYE-EKITI

The examination of cybercrimes (criminal activities that rely on the use of modern communication technologies) has now become a recognized field of criminological research. The objective of the study was to identify common types of cybercrime victimisation among undergraduates, examine the psycho-academic effects of cybercrime victimisation, assess cybercrime awareness and prevention activities among undergraduates in FUOYE and Evaluate current preventative techniques and offer improvements. The study employed the use of routine activity theory and General theory of crime. The study employed a descriptive survey approach, using quantitative data collection methods. Data collected was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The findings revealed that the most commonly experienced forms of cybercrime by respondents or individuals they knew included hacking of social media accounts, phishing scams, online fraud, identity theft, online harassment, and cyberbullying. The findings salso underscore the need for universities to provide mental health support services for cybercrime victims. The study concluded to point to an urgent and growing concern that cybercrime is no longer an abstract threat it is a lived experience for a significant number of students in the university and also the fact that while awareness of cybercrime is fairly widespread among students, deep understanding and proactive behavior remain limited. The study recommended; the university should integrate cybercrime education into general studies or compulsory courses, there is a critical need for institution-wide cybersecurity awareness campaigns, the university’s IT infrastructure must be strengthened, The university should establish a transparent, anonymous, and user-friendly cybercrime reporting system and The university should provide psychological and academic support for victims.