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3 Ex Aequo et Bono J.L. 1 (2025-2026)

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