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3 Ex Aequo et Bono J.L. 1 (2025)

handle is hein.journals/exaquo3 and id is 1 raw text is: 




EAEBJOL
Ex Aequo Et Bono Journal of Law                                      ir o u
EAEBJOL 3(1): 1-17
ISSN 3024-983X                                                        1'R B   I ) HFR- KNOWLEGE



The human firewall: Increasing digital awareness and

literacy for consumer protection

Tita Amalia  Nur  Imanil*, Rina Arum   Prastyantiz
1 Law Study Program, Faculty of Law and Businnes, Universitas Duta Bangsa, Surakarta, Central Java
  57135, Indonesia.
*Correspondence: titaaimanzz@gmail.com



Received Date: May 13, 2025       Revised Date: June 28, 2025       Accepted Date: July 3, 2025

ABSTRAK
Background: In the evolving digital era, consumers are increasingly vulnerable to various cyber threats such as
online fraud, identity theft, and misuse of personal data. This paper discusses the concept of Human Firewall,
an approach that places individuals as the main component in the defense against digital threats through
increased awareness and digital literacy. Methods: By applying a systematic literature reviewmethod to various
international scientific journal sources, this study shows that low levels of digital literacy increase consumers'
risk of cybercrime such as personal data theft, online fraud, and information manipulation. Findings: A good
understanding of digital ethics, privacy and safe use of technology helps people make wiser decisions in the
digital world and prevent digital threats. Conclusion: Efforts to improve these skills can be done through
interactive training, psychology-based approaches, and the use of gamification methods to strengthen user
engagement. The gap in digital access and understanding in disadvantaged areas is also a challenge that needs
to be addressed through an inclusive education approach. Novelty/Originality of this article: The novelty of
this research is in the integration of educational and psychological approaches to form digital resilience based
on proactive individuals, not just relying on technological systems. Therefore, society must build digital
awareness as protection from cyber threats.

KEYWORDS: digital literacy; consumer protection; human firewall.



1. Introduction

     The  development   of digital technology has  drastically changed  various aspects  of
human   life. In the 21st century, technological advances   such as  the internet, artificial
intelligence, big  data, and   blockchain   have  profoundly   changed   our   patterns  of
communication,   work, social interaction, and thinking. These changes have had a profound
impact on social, economic, and political structures. However, these advances also pose new
challenges, such as  issues of data privacy and  security, inequality in the distribution of
benefits of the digital economy, disparities in access to technology, social impacts on mental
health  and human relationships,   and  ethical questions  related to the  use of  artificial
intelligence and automated   technologies. On the other hand,  great opportunities arise to
improve  human   well-being and  advance  society, for example through increased  access to
education  and   healthcare, innovations  in  green  energy,  and  global collaboration  in
addressing  grand challenges such  as climate change and pandemics.  Wisdom   in the digital
age is therefore essential to manage these impacts and maximize  the benefits of technology,
while maintaining  and strengthening human   values, justice and sustainability. In the rapidly
evolving  digital era, cybersecurity  has  become   a major   challenge for  consumers   in
safeguarding  their personal data and digital transactions. One approach that is now a major
Cite This Article:
Imani, T. A. N., & Prastyanti, R. A. (2025). The human firewall: Increasing digital awareness and literacy for consumer
protection. Ex Aequo Et Bono Journal of Law, 3(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.61511/eaebjol.v3il.2025.1870
Copyright: © 2025 by the authors. This article is distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative
Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). )


EAEBIOL. 2025, VOLUME3, ISSUEI


https://doi.org/10.61511/eaebjol.v3il.2025.1870

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