A STUDY ON CONSUMERS’ CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS, THREAT PERCEPTION AND CYBERSECURITY BEHAVIOUR IN KLANG VALLEY, MALAYSIA

Ngo Zhen Hong, Syuhaily Osman, Elistina Abu Bakar and Nur Izura Udzir

Abstract

Abstract
Malaysia’s cybersecurity incidents are a persistent issue, and human error remains a
major contributing factor. This signifies the necessity of understanding an individual’s
cybersecurity behaviour to avoid negative consequences resulting from cyber threats.
However, existing literature on cybersecurity behaviour predominantly focused on
organisational settings. Studies addressing cybersecurity behaviour among
Malaysian consumers in a non-organisational context remain scarce. Hence, this
study aims to explore the current cybersecurity awareness, threat perception and
cybersecurity behaviour of consumers in Klang Valley. This study implemented a
quantitative approach via cross-sectional study by collecting data through
questionnaire distribution. This research obtained 408 valid samples. The findings
revealed that consumers in Klang Valley generally share the same consensus
regarding privacy concerns and exhibited an overall moderately high level of
cybersecurity behaviour. The majority of respondents have a basic understanding of
cybersecurity and are moderately interested in attending cybersecurity advocacy
programs. Internet sources were acknowledged as the main source of acquiring
cybersecurity knowledge. The research seeks to contribute by providing empirical
evidence on consumers’ cybersecurity behaviour in Klang Valley. These findings are
expected to provide additional insights for formulating relevant strategies and policies
to mitigate cyber threats.
Keywords: Cybersecurity behaviour; Cyber threats; Consumers; Klang Valley