Research Article
Africa: cyber-security and its mutual impacts with computerisation, miniaturisation and location-based authentication
@ARTICLE{10.4108/eai.13-9-2017.153339, author={M.I. Adeka and K.O.O. Anoh and M. Ngala and S.J. Shepherd and E. Ibrahim and I.T.E. Elfergani and A.S. Hussaini and J. Rodriguez and R.A. Abd-Alhameed}, title={Africa: cyber-security and its mutual impacts with computerisation, miniaturisation and location-based authentication}, journal={EAI Endorsed Transactions on Mobile Communications and Applications}, volume={3}, number={11}, publisher={EAI}, journal_a={MCA}, year={2017}, month={9}, keywords={cyber space, computerisation, miniaturisation, authentication, advance fee fraud (419), digitisation and tele-density.}, doi={10.4108/eai.13-9-2017.153339} }- M.I. Adeka
K.O.O. Anoh
M. Ngala
S.J. Shepherd
E. Ibrahim
I.T.E. Elfergani
A.S. Hussaini
J. Rodriguez
R.A. Abd-Alhameed
Year: 2017
Africa: cyber-security and its mutual impacts with computerisation, miniaturisation and location-based authentication
MCA
EAI
DOI: 10.4108/eai.13-9-2017.153339
Abstract
The state of insecurity occasioned by fraudulent practices in Africa has been of concern economically, both at home and abroad. In this paper, we propose ways to mitigate this problem, using Nigeria as a case study. Based on surveys in West Africa, the paper examines the security situation in the continent and its mutual impacts with computerisation, miniaturisation and Location-Based Authentication (LBA). It was discovered that computerisation and miniaturisation had negative effects on cyber-security, as these were being exploited by fraudsters, using advance fee fraud; called 419. As a countermeasure, the paper examines the possibility of using LBA and digitisation of the GSM Mobile country codes down to city/area codes along with GSM/GPS authentications. These could also be combined with the use of a web-based Secret Sharing Scheme for services with very high security demands. The challenges of roaming were also examined and considered to be of negligible impact.
Copyright © 2017 M.I. Adeka et al., licensed to EAI. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Crea tiv e Commons Attribution license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/), which permits unlimited use, distribution and reprod uction in any medium so long as the original work is proper ly cited.
