[Adebiaye et. al., Vol.5 (Iss.3): March, 2018] ISSN: 2454-1907
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1218519
Http://www.ijetmr.com©International Journal of Engineering Technologies and Management Research [270]
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY USAGE: QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
OF SMARTPHONE SECURITY AWARENESS AND PRACTICES
AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES
Dr.Richmond Adebiaye
*1
, Taiwo Ajani
2
*1
Department of Informatics and Engineering Systems, College of Science and Technology,
University of South Carolina Upstate, USA
2
Department of Computer Information Systems, Ferrum College, VA, USA
Abstract:
Mobile phone usage is growing at an unprecedented rate. The ability to remain connected, the
ease of smart phone use and declining mobile costs have allowed this technology to expand at
a very high rate globally. The study aimed to quantitatively determine the reasons for inactive
practice of security measures of smart-phone usage among college students in the United
States. The study also examined the Consideration of Future Consequences (CFC) level in
relation to the level of smart-phone security measures, determined the levels of security
measures on smart-phone (SP) by users, and establish the relationship between CFC level and
the levels of smart-phone security measures among college students. Using a quantitative
research survey and simple random sampling procedure, the methodology focused on
analyzing data through testing of hypotheses. The t-test, Pearson’s correlation, regression
coefficients and their respective p-values. The results showed 69.8% of college students set
PIN, password and screen lock on their smart phones while 74.8% were cautious with smart
phone applications and 6.2% practiced on setting of security software including rooting
services. On the other hand, 35.4% protected their SP data through encryption, 47.4% had
data checks and security alert while 46.2% had set Bluetooth applications and 41.4% had used
backup storage for sensitive data. Use of Biometrics or other security unknown security
adoptions were not included in the study. The study also found that lack of knowledge about
technology or applications for SP security, lack of security habits and practices, rigorous
involvement of setting SP security details like backups, encryption, security software etc.,
assumptions that SP are security and tamper-proof as well as lack of training, guidance and
after sale services on SP security are significant reasons for lack of security measures
practices concerning smart-phone usage by college students.
Keywords: Level of Practice of Security Measures of SP; SP Usage; Consideration of Future
Consequences Level.
Cite This Article: Richmond Adebiaye, and Taiwo Ajani. (2018). “INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY USAGE: QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF SMARTPHONE SECURITY
AWARENESS AND PRACTICES AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE
UNITED STATES.” International Journal of Engineering Technologies and Management
Research, 5(3), 270-284. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1218519.