Cybersecurity awareness of individuals in türkiye, a study on perceived risks, attitudes, and behavioral intentions

Digitalization has facilitated access to information while transforming individuals' lifestyles and increasing security risks in online environments. The widespread use of digital transactions, online shopping, and social media has extended the scope of cybersecurity beyond its technical dimension, linking it directly to awareness, attitudes, and behaviors. The present study examines the cybersecurity awareness levels of individuals in Türkiye and their processes of developing secure digital behaviors. Data collected from 500 participants were analyzed using the PLS-SEM method, and all hypotheses in the proposed model were statistically supported. The findings indicate that response efficacy and awareness levels enhance self-efficacy, which in turn strengthens risk and threat perceptions, positively influencing security attitudes and behavioral intentions. The results also reveal that demographic characteristics lead to significant differences in security practices. Higher age and education levels are associated with more frequent use of antivirus software, secure password creation, and two-factor authentication, whereas younger individuals tend to exhibit riskier behaviors such as password reuse and connection sharing. Moreover, some individuals with advanced technical knowledge may neglect practical security measures, suggesting that secure behavior depends not only on knowledge level but also on self-efficacy and risk perception. Establishing a sustainable cybersecurity culture requires not only the dissemination of knowledge but also education-based strategies aimed at fostering self-efficacy, threat perception, and positive attitudes. At the national level, promoting key practices such as password security, multi-factor authentication, antivirus use, and regular updates should be supported by public awareness campaigns.