Abstract:
With the expanding role of mobile technology in university life, loss of students’
academic data due to weak security measures, Learning Management System
Violations, identity theft, and cybercrime can be seen. Given the limited use of
advanced mobile security measures especially among Sri Lankan undergraduates,
this study examines usage determinants of mobile security techniques use and
suggests institution-level interventions to strengthen practices. Using a quantitative,
cross-sectional design, survey data from selected 384 undergraduates via cluster
sampling were analyzed by using SPSS with descriptive statistics, Pearson
correlations, and multiple regression. All the four predictors showed positive,
statistically significant associations with usage: attitude (B = 0.393, β = 0.351, p <
.001), knowledge (B = 0.186, β = 0.163, p = .031), perceived behavioral control (B =
0.168, β = 0.156, p = .035), and subjective norms (B = 0.136, β = 0.129, p = .016).
Although awareness of risks was moderate to high, there was a practical awareness
gap in implementing measures such as multi factor authentication, application
permission control, and data encryption. This finding adds context specific evidence
on the determinants of mobile security techniques among undergraduates in the Sri
Lankan state university system and extend usage adoption perspectives (e.g., TPB
aligned constructs) to this domain. The study recommends concrete institutional
initiatives mandatory cybersecurity workshops, curriculum integration of mobile
security, targeted awareness campaigns, and policy guidance to reduce vulnerability
and improve sustained adoption of protective techniques in higher education settings.
