Cybersecurity Practices and Cybercrime Victimization among Criminology Students: Basis for Cyber Defense Enhancement Program

The rapid integration of technology into every facet of our lives poses significant benefits and invertedly, substantial risks particularly on cyber security and cybercrime victimization. Effective cybersecurity practices are critical in preventing cybercrime victimization. It helps mitigate risks, protect sensitive data from being compromise and ensure the integrity of cyber- related activities and transactions. The main objective of this study was to assess the cyber security practices and the level of cybercrime victimization among 100 randomly selected criminology students of Philippine College Foundation, Valencia City, Bukidnon, in the year 2024. A quantitative research design was utilized in this study using a survey questionnaire. Findings of the study revealed that majority of the respondents aged 21-23 years old, males, second year level and cellular phone users. Also, respondents applied cyber security practices in terms of logging into an electronic account, information sharing and access of website. Moreover, in the level of cybercrime victimization, the respondents have a high level of victimization in terms in phishing, online fraud and hacking. Finally, as to the test of significant relationship between cybersecurity practices and cybercrime victimization, it showed that logging into an electronic account, information sharing and access of website have a significant effect on phishing, online fraud and hacking among the respondents.