International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 11 | Nov 2025
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
CYBERCRIME AWARENESS, PRACTICES, AND REPORTING BEHAVIOR: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY IN RAJASTHAN Deepak Kumar Parewa1, Dr Deepa Mordia2 1Research scholar, Department of Statistics, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
2Assistant Professor, Department of Statistics, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
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Abstract: The increasing reliance on digital technologies has created both opportunities and risks in India. Rajasthan, with
its rapidly expanding internet penetration, has seen a rise in cybercrimes that challenge individuals, institutions, and government systems. This study investigates cybercrime awareness, online safety practices, and reporting behavior among 392 respondents (171 male and 221 female). Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, factor analysis, independent samples t-tests, and regression models. Results reveal that although respondents are aware of basic cybercrimes like scams and hacking, knowledge about phishing, ransomware, and identity theft is relatively low. While safe practices such as using strong passwords and avoiding suspicious links are common, the adoption of advanced safety measures such as two-factor authentication and regular system updates is limited. Gender and education differences were observed, with men demonstrating higher cyber hygiene and threat literacy, while women showed greater readiness to report incidents. Regression analysis confirmed that cybercrime response behavior is the strongest predictor of reporting readiness. These findings contribute to statistical literature and have important policy implications for awareness campaigns, digital literacy programs, and the development of victim-friendly reporting mechanisms. Key Words: Cybercrime, Awareness, Reporting Behavior, Rajasthan, Cyber Hygiene and Digital Literacy
1. INTRODUCTION: The digital revolution has transformed societies worldwide, enabling unprecedented connectivity, access to information, and economic opportunities. However, this progress has also introduced significant vulnerabilities, especially in the form of cybercrime. Cybercrime refers to illegal activities conducted through digital means, including fraud, hacking, identity theft, ransomware, and online harassment. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB, 2022), cybercrime incidents in India have increased more than fourfold in the past decade, with financial frauds and data breaches being the most common. These crimes not only lead to financial losses but also undermine trust in digital platforms and hinder the adoption of digital services. Rajasthan, one of the largest states in India, has experienced rapid growth in internet usage due to expanding mobile penetration and government initiatives such as Digital India. With a diverse demographic profile comprising both urban and rural populations, the state provides a unique setting to examine awareness and practices related to cybercrime. Despite government campaigns, awareness levels remain uneven, and many victims fail to report cybercrimes due to fear of legal processes, lack of knowledge, or social stigma. This context makes Rajasthan an important case study for understanding cybercrime from a statistical and behavioral perspective. Existing literature highlights three main concerns: (a) although general awareness of cybercrime is increasing, specific knowledge about sophisticated threats such as phishing and ransomware remains low; (b) while individuals report using safe practices such as strong passwords, compliance with advanced safeguards like two-factor authentication is weaker; and (c) there exists a large gap between victimization and reporting, suggesting trust and institutional barriers. These issues raise critical questions for researchers and policymakers alike. From a statistical perspective, analyzing primary data on awareness, practices, and reporting behavior provides valuable insights into the distribution of digital literacy and cyber readiness across demographic groups. Tools such as chi-square tests, factor analysis, t-tests, and regression allow for testing hypotheses regarding gender and education differences, as well as identifying predictors of reporting readiness. Such analysis contributes not only to academic literature in statistics and criminology but also offers practical implications for designing targeted interventions. This study focuses on cybercrime in Rajasthan with three key motivations. First, cybercrime cases in the state have been rising steadily, yet systematic research using primary data remains scarce. Second, demographic factors such as gender
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