Developing a usable security approach for user awareness against ransomware

This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonThe main purpose of the research presented in this thesis is to design and develop a game prototype for improving user awareness against ransomware, which has been reported as the most significant cyber security threat to the United Kingdom by the National Cyber Security Centre. Digital transformation is helping individuals, organisations, governments and Industrial control systems to modernise and improve their effectiveness. At the same time, cyber crimes are evolving and targeting essential services. A successful cyber attack can compromise users’ privacy, bring bad publicity and financial damage to organisations and target national security. A literature review was conducted to understand threats to the cyber social system. Literature in this thesis reports attackers exploit humans as the weakest link to execute successful security breaches. Therefore to address this challenge, a significant gap has been identified as an opportunity to contribute to user awareness of the ransomware cyber security threat. The current thesis proposes RansomAware a novel game prototype to improve user awareness. The game is based on Technology Threat Avoidance Theory (TTAT) model. In this thesis two studies are carried out, study 1 empirically validates the elements of TTAT to be embedded in the RansomAware prototype and reports a significant change in users’ motivation to avoid ransomware cyber security threat 55% and avoidance behaviour 29%, whereas study 2 evaluates game usability and report significant results of SUS average score of 87.58 and statistical results of p < 0.01 indicate user’s satisfaction of the RansomAware. Finally, the research provides guidelines on how the proposed RansomAware game can be adopted by practitioners and individuals to improve their awareness against the ransomware cyber security threat

A review of SolarWinds attack on Orion platform using persistent threat agents anf techniques for gaining unauthorized access

This paper of work examines the SolarWinds attack, designed on Orion Platform security incident. It analyses the persistent threats agents and potential technical attack techniques to gain unauthorized access. In 2020 SolarWinds attack indicates an initial breach disclosure on Orion Platform software by malware distribution on IT and government organizations such as Homeland Security, Microsoft and Intel associated with supply chains leaks consequences from small loopholes in security systems. Hackers increased the number of infected company and businesses networks during the supply-chain attack, hackers were capable to propagate the attack by using a VMware exploit. On the special way they started to target command injections, privilege escalations, and use after free platforms of VMware. In this way, they gained access to Virtual Machines and in the east way pivot other servers. This literature review aim to analyze the security gap regarding to SolarWinds incident on Orion Platform, the impact on industry and financial sectors involving the elements of incident response plan. Therefore, this research paper ensures specifications of proper solutions for possible defense security systems by analyzing a SolarWinds attack case study via system evaluation and monitoring. It concludes with necessary remediation actions on cyber hygiene countermeasures, common vulnerabilities and exposure analysis and solutions.Comment: 6 page

Exploring the challenges in classroom assessment: A mixed-method study of secondary schools in Pakistan

In the process of classroom assessment, data is collected regarding the skills, understanding and knowledge of students. It has very important role in enhancing academic achievement of students. Present study was designed at exploring the challenges of classroom assessment. The sample of study contained a sample of 360 participants and a concurrent mixed-method design was deployed to conduct the research. Data collection was carried out using researchers’ self-developed questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed using statistical software of SPSS version 24.0 for descriptive and inferential stats. For collection and analyses of qualitative data, classroom observation and semi-structured interviews were also conducted. The study explored those major challenges included lack of interest of both, the parents and the students; insufficient guidance on the assessment by school administration; and less or no provision of professional training in assessment to the teachers. It was recommended that the school administration should take appropriate steps for the involvement of all stakeholders. Extensive professional training should be provided to all the teachers on regular basis by the concerned departments

HYPOFRACTIONATED RADIOTHERAPY IN GLIOBLASTOMA MULTIFORME

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the outcomes in glioblastoma patients treated with hypofractionated radiotherapy.Materials and Methods: We reviewed all glioblastoma patients treated at our specialist cancer centre over 7 and a 1⁄2 years using hypofractionated radiotherapy (HRT) postoperatively. The HRT regimen was 48 Gy given at 3 Gy/ fractions in 16 fractions. We calculated overall survival using time to event analyses. Results: A total of 62 patients were identi ed of whom 44 (71%) were male. The median age of these patients was 50 years (range: 20–71 years). Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status was 0 in 47 (76%) and 1 in 15 (24%) patients. 7 (11%) of the patients underwent gross total resection, 52 (83%) had subtotal resection and 3 (5%) had a biopsy only. Response assessment on magnetic resonance imaging at 3-month post-HRT showed that 14 (22%) patients had regression, 21 (34%) were stable and 22 (35%) had a progressive primary tumour. 5 (8%) patients were lost to follow up. With a median follow-up of 7.8 months, the median overall survival was 9 months. Patients with ECOG-0 showed a median survival of 7 months as compared to 6 months for those with ECOG-1. Patients with stable or partial response showed a median overall survival of 8 months in comparison to 6 months for those with progressive disease. There were no signi cant differences in median survival based on the extent of surgery. A Cox multivariate model con rmed signi cant correlation of age and response to radiotherapy with survival. Conclusion: HRT consisting of 48 Gy in 3 weeks can be used for selected glioblastoma patients to reduce the overall treatment time of conventional radiotherapy by 35–40% without apparent increased toxicity or decrement in survival in a low resource environment. Key words: Chemoradiation, glioblastoma, hypofractionated radiotherapy, survival

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL CONTROL AND SPORTS

The main objective of the study is to evaluate the effects and relationship between social control and sports. Social control is extremely basic for each general public. Without social control, society and in addition individual can't exist. Hence, the need of social control is exceptionally basic. Social control is important for the presence and association of a general public. Players learn violent strategies from sports, this give them a better cure for deviant behaviors. players learns how to obey the laws in sports this enables to develop discipline in society and help to promote cultural values and also it help to develop better instruction among people. Sports are a useful to create accountability environment in society. Results of this research work showed that the sports have positive effect on social control

EFFECT OF CROSS FIT EXERCISES ON WEIGHT LOSS OF MALES IN LAHORE

The purpose of this research was to explore the effect of Cross Fit, a latest fitness techniques being used all over the world to get a good physique and health, in reducing weight of male persons ranging from 18 to 25 years. A sample of 8 male students ranging age from 18 to 25 years to measure the change in variables like Body weight, %age Fat ratio, %age of Total Body Water contents, %age of Lean Muscle Mass after applying Cross Fit training program in pre and post analysis. After designing and applying a 28 days Cross Fit plan and diet plans for each individual according to their Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE), it was found that there is a positive significant change in these variables mentioned above which showed that Cross Fit training program d

EFFECT OF CROSS FIT EXERCISES ON WEIGHT LOSS OF MALES IN LAHORE

The purpose of this research was to explore the effect of Cross Fit, a latest fitness techniques being used all over the world to get a good physique and health, in reducing weight of male persons ranging from 18 to 25 years. A sample of 8 male students ranging age from 18 to 25 years to measure the change in variables like Body weight, %age Fat ratio, %age of Total Body Water contents, %age of Lean Muscle Mass after applying Cross Fit training program in pre and post analysis. After designing and applying a 28 days Cross Fit plan and diet plans for each individual according to their Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE), it was found that there is a positive significant change in these variables mentioned above which showed that Cross Fit training program d

Empirical Evidence of Co-Movement between the Canadian CDS, Stock Market And TSX 60 Volatility Index: A Wavelet Approach

Purpose- The prime objective of this study was to find the co-movement between the Canadian credit default swaps market, the Stock market and volatility index (TSX 60 Index) Design/ Methodology- To achieve this purpose, daily data containing 2870 observations starting from the 1st of January 2009 to the 30th of December 2019 were analyzed. This study employed the wavelet approach to present results in short-term, medium-term, long-term, and very long time. Findings- The findings of this study showed a negative correlation between the CDS market, stock market, and the TSX 60 index in the short-term as well as in the long-term term, while in medium-term and very long-term period correlation is strongly positive. The wavelet co-movement results in the short-term and long-term were negative, while this relationship in the medium-term and very long-term period was strongly positive. Practical Implications- This research provides simultaneous valuable information for investment decisions in the short, medium, and long term time horizons, as well as for the policymakers in the Canadian credit default swaps market, stock market, and the volatility index (TSX 60 Index)

Genetic Algorithm & Fuzzy Logic Based PEM Fuel Cells Power Conversion System for AC Integration

In the scientific environment, the leading variables such as voltage, current, power, heat from cooling system, membrane temperature and hydrogen pressure are uses as steady state and transient behaviors of Fuel Cells (FC). In the reproducing process of Fuel Cells (FC) variations, DC-DC converters are connected transversely its terminals, the efficiency, stability and durability are considered as operational problems for steady state. Since the Proton Exchange Fuel Cell is a non-linear process and its parameters change when it is delivering energy to the grid. The conventional controllers can’t content the control objectives. In this paper, an intelligent DC-AC power optimization is proposed for Fuel Cell (FC) control system to produce energy in the grid stations and to improve the power quality when FC is supplying load to grid. Furthermore, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) based reactive power optimization for voltage profile improvement and real power minimization in DC-AC system. A fuzzy logic controller is also used to control active power of PEM fuel cell system. Fuzzy logic controller will modify the hydrogen flow feedback from the terminal load. At the end, we will simulate DC-AC converter for checking its efficiency, stability and durability on the basis of the genetic algorithm and fuzzy logic controller to control power generation