Abstract:
The growing dependence on mobile devices among university students has increased
their exposure to mobile security threats such as phishing, malware attacks,
unauthorized data access, data breaches, and identity theft. In this context,
understanding the factors that influence students' awareness of mobile security is
crucial, particularly in countries like Sri Lanka where formal cybersecurity education
remains limited. This study aims to examine the relationship between three key
factors: knowledge, peer influence, and mobile security practices and mobile security
awareness among undergraduates at Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, while
providing insights for potential educational recommendations too. A quantitative
research design was employed, using a structured, self-administered questionnaire
distributed to a simple random sample of 368 students across six faculties. The data
were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis
through SPSS. The results indicate that all three independent variables: knowledge,
peer influence, and practices have a statistically significant positive impact on
students’ awareness of mobile security (correlation values (r) are 0.719, 0.653, 0.727
and regression coefficients (β) are 0.306, 0.104, 0.339). These findings highlight the
importance of targeted awareness initiatives, peer-led support systems, and
institutional efforts such as workshops, curriculum integration, and cybersecurity
campaigns to promote safe mobile usage. Furthermore, this study enhances to the
global discussion on mobile security awareness by highlighting Sri Lanka’s unique
challenges, where structured cybersecurity training for undergraduates is limited. The
study provides practical insights for universities and policymakers in developing
strategies to foster a secure digital environment for undergraduates.
