Cybersecurity Awareness Among Youth: What’s Vital?

The advancement of modern science and technology has significantly changed the ways of living. Despite the fact that the internet is convenient for users, these advancements in technology have also led to tremendous cybercrime and scam cases globally. Internet users must be vigilant to protect themselves from cybercriminals and cyberattacks. It is reported that online scam cases are on an increasing trend in Malaysia and one of the contributing factors to such a problem is the lack of awareness of cybercrime with most of the online scam victims being those aged between 21 and 40 years old. With that, there are urges to enhance cybersecurity awareness among youth in Malaysia. This study aims to investigate the factors affecting cybersecurity awareness among youth in Malaysia. With the survey questionnaire sent to a sample of 200 youths between the ages of 15 to 30 years old in Malaysia, it is evidenced that security concerns and cybersecurity knowledge have a positive significant relationship with cybersecurity awareness. Financial literacy and subjective norms, on the other hand, have no significant relationship with cybersecurity awareness. This study contributes to the current literature on cybersecurity and practical perspective and provides useful insights into enhancing cybersecurity awareness among Malaysian youth.