Page 122 - The-5th-MCAIT2021-eProceeding

Cybersecurity Threats and Practices in Internet Café: An
Assessment of Cybercafé in Nigeria

c
b
e
d
a*
Mansur Aliyu , A. S. Baiti , A. B. Tambuwal , Samaila Musa , Aminu Aliyu
a Sokoto State University, Sokoto, Nigeria
b,d,e Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic, Sokoto, Nigeria
c Federal University Gusau, Zamfara, Nigeria
* Email:mansur.aliyu@ssu.edu.ng, mansuraliyu@gmail.com

Abstract

The Internet has grown over the years from data transmission media to global cyberspace providing access to information
to all kinds of users. Internet Users had gone beyond sending/receiving office related work to conducting personal financial
transactions, socializing with family and friends, and posting the tiniest details of their private life. With these kinds of
information and the billions of users having access to the Internet, a high cybercrime rate is inevitable, especially in
developing countries like Nigeria. This paper attempts to explore cybersecurity threats and practices in Internet cafés in
selected states in Nigeria. A survey method was adopted to administer questionnaires directly to cyber café operators and
users in Sokoto and Kebbi states. A total of sixty (60) Internet cafés and computer business centers were surveyed using
both close-ended and open-ended questions related to their current cybersecurity threats and practices. The significant
findings revealed that most cybercafé operators in the two states had knowledge and experience about cybercrime. They all
acknowledge the risks of cybercrime, but they took insufficient measures to avert unauthorized access to their computers.
The findings also revealed that most operators use weak administrator and user passwords to log in to their networks, with
no strong firewalls and up-to-date antivirus software, which resulted in corrupting computer files, data hacking, personal
and financial identities theft, denial of service, virus infection, etc. In the end, it was recommended that both the cybercafé
operators, general users, and the government take severe steps in securing their data, information, and network infrastructure
against cybercrimes or threats.

Keywords: Cybersecurity; cybercrime; cybercafe; Internet; Nigeria

1. Introduction
Internet usage has become part of everyday life and has fundamentally changed our habits regarding data and
information communication and processing. Nowadays, technological developments in developing countries
have the potential to grow economic, social, and political changes. They also can advance criminal activities in
any given country. As a nation, Nigeria has not been left behind in internet penetration and usage, primarily via
mobile phones. It is a country prone to attacks by cybercriminals and a possible source of cybercrime activities
(Makare, 2017). While most cybercrime attacks might target financial institutions like banks, internet users
within the general public are also likely to become victims of similar criminal activities (Kshetri, 2019).
Therefore, it is essential to assess both the awareness and preparedness level of local internet operators and users
to deal with the threats of cyber-criminal activities.
Cybercrime refers to any criminal activity executed through the Internet (Osho & Adepoju, 2016; Aneke, et
al. 2020). This involves many things from denial of service, downloading illegal files, non-delivery of goods or
services and computer intrusions (hacking) to intellectual property rights abuses, economic espionage (theft of
trade secrets), online extortion, international money laundering, identity theft, and a growing list of other
Internet-facilitated offenses (Ajeet, 2014). Cybercrime is most difficult to immediately detect the method used
to carry out the Crime, to know precisely where and when the users carried out the Crime. The anonymity of

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