MEASURING AWARENESS AND ABILITY OF STUDENTS IN SECURING PERSONAL SENSITIVE DATA ON MOBILE PHONES

Abstract

This study investigates the awareness and ability of students at the University of North Texas (UNT) in securing their personal and sensitive information on mobile phones. In an era marked by increasing digitization, mobile phones play a pivotal role in our daily lives, making it essential to understand the practices and knowledge of individuals when it comes to safeguarding their personal information. To achieve this, the study adopts a multidimensional approach through the integration of three prominent theoretical frameworks, which are the technology acceptance model (TAM), the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and protection motivation theory (PMT). This integrated framework enables a comprehensive understanding of student perceptions, intentions, and motivations concerning mobile phone security. To gather data, a quantitative research method was employed, using a structured survey in the form of a questionnaire. Respondents were asked to rate their agreement with various statements using a 5point Likert scale, ranging from 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree. The survey included questions designed to assess student awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to securing personal information on their mobile phones. The findings of this study shed light on the existing gaps in the knowledge and practices of students related to mobile phone security. The outcomes can inform educational institutions and policymakers on the necessity of implementing awareness programs and security measures to protect personal information in the digital age. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of mobile phone security practices and paves the way for potential interventions to empower UNT students and users of mobile technology to protect their sensitive data effectively.