A Comparative Study of the Perception of Computer Security between US and Korea: Focused on Rootkits

The surveys were conducted to compare the knowledge and experience of students of five Korean universities and three US universities with various forms of malware. The study included an empirical assessment of the cross-cultural similarities and differences between students in the two countries. The variables examined include knowledge of computer viruses, spyware, and rootkits as well as perceptions of the damage that can result from various computer malware. While the two groups are similar with respect to their relative familiarity of rootkits compared with that of spyware and viruses, and in terms of how they perceive the malware knowledge of their peers, significant differences were present in self-reported perceptions of rootkit familiarity. U.S. students showed higher levels for all tested malware types, including the fictional ldquoTrilobyterdquo virus. However, it is expected to experience an accelerated rootkit awareness because of the rapid assimilation of spyware knowledge in recent years.