Communities of Inquiry for Offenders: Learning Malware Development on Asynchronous Platforms

Grant Agency: SSHRC – through the Human-Centric Cybersecurity Partnership

Awarded: 2023

Value: $25,000

Principal Investigator: Dr. Richard Frank

Co-principal Investigator: Dr. David Decary-Hetu

Research assistants: Noelle Warkentin

Description: The focus of this study was on conversations that facilitate the learning of malware development. Those individuals that wish to learn how to develop malware most likely to do so for malicious purposes, and it is consequently important to understand where learning of this information takes place, and how responsive people are in aiding others in acquiring such knowledge. As learning within an online environment presents with differing circumstances, this research will be guided by an asynchronous learning approach.