Evaluation of the Impact of Cybersecurity Knowledge on the Prevention of Social Cybercrime Among University Students in Mexico, Colombia, and Peru

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the degree of cybersecurity knowledge and awareness among university students in Peru, Mexico, and Colombia, and to determine how these factors contribute to protection against social cybercrime. This cross-regional analysis represents a novel contribution by comparing cybersecurity preparedness across three Latin American countries, an underrepresented region in cybersecurity education research. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a 97-question survey that assessed both cybersecurity knowledge and practices. The study involved 809 university students from Peru, Mexico, and Colombia. Correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between cybersecurity knowledge and cybercrime prevention practices. Results: The analysis revealed a positive but low correlation (r=0.252) between cybersecurity knowledge and cybercrime prevention practices. Only 10.71% of preventive practices could be explained by acquired knowledge. Greater efficacy was observed in cyberstalking prevention compared to other forms of cybercrime. A significant gap was found between theoretical knowledge and practical application of cybersecurity, with only 44.6% of students receiving occasional information on the subject. Conclusions: This study highlights the urgent need to improve cybersecurity education in Latin American universities. The findings underscore the importance of integrating applied practices into cybersecurity curricula to strengthen students' ability to effectively counter cyber threats. Future educational initiatives should focus on bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application to enhance students' resilience against social cybercrime.