Cyber hygiene awareness among Malaysian youth

Abstract

The study examined cyber hygiene awareness among Malaysian youth by analyzing the roles played by individual knowledge, awareness, attitudes, gender differences, and educational level. An online survey was conducted with 414 respondents in Peninsular Malaysia. The results showed no significant differences in cyber hygiene awareness based on gender and educational level. This suggests equal access to cybersecurity information and training across genders and education levels in Malaysia. This study also found significant relationships between individual characteristics (knowledge, rationality, and attitude) and cyber hygiene awareness. These findings indicate that individuals who are more knowledgeable, have positive attitudes, and make rational decisions tend to have higher cyber hygiene awareness. The results highlight the importance of fostering rationality and consistency in approaches to cybersecurity practices. The study contributes to the thoughtfully reflective decision-making (TRDM) theory, providing insights for developing targeted cybersecurity training programs and policies. Future research could explore additional factors influencing cyber hygiene awareness and examine how these findings translate to actual cybersecurity behaviors in professional settings.