Fawn Ngo, a criminologist at the University of South Florida, was inspired to conduct her latest research on cyber victimization after speaking with a Vietnamese language network in California. She received phone calls from viewers recounting their experiences of victimization after the interview, prompting her to look further into the availability and accessibility of cybersecurity information for non-English speakers. The study focused on exploring the links among demographic characteristics, cyber hygiene practices, and cyber victimization using a sample of limited English proficiency internet users. Ngo is the lead author of the article “Cyber Hygiene and Cyber Victimization Among Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Internet Users,” which just published in the journal Victims & Offenders.
The research, conducted with Spanish and Vietnamese speakers, found that LEP internet users have similar concerns about cyber threats and desire for online safety as any other individual. However, they are constrained by a lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate resources. This lack of resources also hampers the accurate collection of cyber victimization data among vulnerable populations. The study showed that many LEP users engage in risky online behaviors, such as using unsecured networks and sharing passwords. For example, only 29 percent of the study’s focus group participants avoided using public Wi-Fi in the previous 12 months, and only 17 percent had antivirus software installed on their devices.
Previous research cited in Ngo’s paper has shown that underserved populations exhibit poorer cybersecurity knowledge and outcomes, often resulting in computer viruses and hacked accounts. This is typically due to a lack of awareness and understanding rather than disinterest, according to Ngo. The study’s findings highlight the need for providing cyber hygiene information and resources in multiple formats to accommodate diverse literacy levels within LEP communities. Ngo emphasized the importance of further research to address the security gap and ensure equitable access to cybersecurity resources for all internet users.
In response to the research findings, Ngo is preparing to launch a website with cybersecurity information and resources in different languages, along with a link to report victimization. She hopes that cybersecurity information and resources will become more readily accessible in non-English languages and that LEP victims will be included in national data and statistics on cybercrime. Ngo aims to ensure that experiences of LEP individuals are accurately represented and addressed in cybersecurity initiatives. The ultimate goal is to secure digital borders and ensure that every member of society, regardless of language skills, is well-informed about the risks in the cyber world.
Overall, Ngo’s research sheds light on the challenges faced by LEP internet users in accessing cybersecurity information and resources. By identifying the gaps in resources and highlighting the need for culturally and linguistically appropriate guidance, the study emphasizes the need for inclusive cybersecurity education for all individuals, regardless of language proficiency. Ngo’s efforts to address these issues through her research and the launch of a multilingual cybersecurity website demonstrate a commitment to ensuring equitable access to cybersecurity resources and improving the online safety of vulnerable populations.
