Understanding Cybersecurity Risks: A Study on Common People’s Vulnerability to Cyber Threats in Nepal
Ghimire, Bishwa Nath (2026)
2026
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202602102552
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202602102552
Tiivistelmä
The rapid growth of digitalization and of digital services in Nepal has increased the risk of cyber threats for people with limited digital literacy. This research explores the cybersecurity challenges faced by common people in Nepal, focusing on social engineering attacks, everyday online behaviours, and the gap between awareness and practice. A mixed research methods approach was utilized, combining survey data, questionnaire responses, and insights from the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau to understand real life experiences of cybercrime.
The findings outline that social media account hijacking, phishing, fake job offers, online shopping scams, and OTP-based fraud are the most common threats. The online actions of individuals did not demonstrate the basic principles of online security that they claimed to be aware of. Risky practices, including password reuse and clicking on unrecognized links, were found to be widespread. The research highlights that in Nepal cybersecurity challenges are largely non-technical and human centred. Simple protective actions, along with improved public awareness and better execution of cybercrime reporting procedures, would significantly enhance the digital safety environment.
The findings outline that social media account hijacking, phishing, fake job offers, online shopping scams, and OTP-based fraud are the most common threats. The online actions of individuals did not demonstrate the basic principles of online security that they claimed to be aware of. Risky practices, including password reuse and clicking on unrecognized links, were found to be widespread. The research highlights that in Nepal cybersecurity challenges are largely non-technical and human centred. Simple protective actions, along with improved public awareness and better execution of cybercrime reporting procedures, would significantly enhance the digital safety environment.