Securing Smartphones Between Knowledge and Bractice: A Study on Undergraduates at Abu-Isa Faculty of Education

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the level of awareness among students of Abu Issa College of Education regarding the security of their smartphones. The study was conducted during the 2024-2025 academic year at Abu Issa College of Education, Al-Zawiya University, involving 206 students from various departments of the college. The study was divided into three main axes: the level of knowledge and awareness of smartphone protection methods, the security behavior followed to protect smartphones, interaction with security issues that students may face.

The descriptive-analytical method was used by applying a questionnaire consisting of 31 items distributed among the three previous axes. The study results showed that the students of Abu Aissa College of Education possess a high level of awareness and knowledge about smartphone protection methods, with an overall average of (4.00). Additionally, the level of security behavior followed by the students was very high, with an overall average of (4.21). Regarding interaction with security issues, the results showed good awareness among the students, with an overall average of (3.83), despite a decrease in response to some items, such as exposure to hacking attempts or the use of antivirus programs.

To increase awareness among students, concepts of information security and how to deal with security threats should be included in university curricula for all majors, and workshops and awareness campaigns should be held to raise the level of digital security awareness among students