CYBERCRIME VICTIMIZATION AT OCCIDENTAL MINDORO STATE COLLEGE-SABLAYAN CAMPUS: BASIS FOR AN INTERVENTION PROGRAM

This research was conducted to determine the extent and effects of cybercrime victimization on the students, faculty and staff of a State College in Mindoro Province as a basis of developing a strategy for increasing their awareness and minimizing victimization. The study was conducted using a cross-sectional quantitative research design and the sample size of 326 respondents was drawn by means of random sampling. An online survey via Google Forms: a validated survey questions collection an internet questionnaire was used: Validated questioning via Google forms was the most efficient method. The prevalence of acts of cybercrime was measured in relation to four types of cybercrime: crimes against confidentiality, integrity and availability of computer data and systems; computer related offences; content-related offences, and other cybercrimes. With a particular worry for phishing, identity theft, online harassment, and data breaches, the findings showed that most respondents believed that they had either been victims of or were at risk of a variety of cybercrimes. Comparing the sense of victimization by gender and age group revealed no discernible differences, suggesting that cybercrime impacts people from all walks of life. The study was founded on the general theory of crime, general strain theory, and routine activity theory, all of which contributed to the understanding of victimization in the digital world. A customized intervention program was suggested in light of the findings in order to enhance digital literacy, close awareness gaps, and provide the campus community with cyber threat prevention techniques. This study highlights the pressing need for proactive and instructive actions to reduce victimization and adds to the expanding body of knowledge on cybercrime in academic institutions. Keywords: phishing, identity theft, cyberbullying, digital safety, cybercrime victimization