This study evaluates the effectiveness of gamification in cybersecurity education, focusing on enhancing email phishing awareness among university students. It compares gamified learning methods with traditional video-based education to determine which approach better improves phishing detection skills. A controlled experiment involved two groups of 30 participants each: one received traditional video-based education on phishing awareness, and the other used a gamified platform, "EmailAware." Pre- and post-tests with the Jigsaw Online Phishing Quiz measured awareness and detection abilities, and a qualitative survey gathered participant feedback on the gamified approach. Results showed significant improvement in phishing detection skills in both groups, with the gamified group demonstrating a higher improvement rate (59%) compared to the traditional group (41%). Participants in the gamified group reported higher engagement and motivation due to the interactive nature of the approach. Limitations include a small sample size and the focus on university students, potentially limiting generalizability. Future research should include a more diverse participant pool and explore the long-term effects of gamified learning on cybersecurity awareness. The findings suggest integrating gamified elements into cybersecurity education can significantly enhance learning outcomes, offering practical recommendations for designing more effective and engaging training programs, ultimately improving overall digital security.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:lnu-130705 |
| Date | January 2024 |
| Creators | Khairallah, Obay, Abu-Naseer, Ma'moun |
| Publisher | Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för datavetenskap och medieteknik (DM) |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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