Dissertation Title: Assessing and improving information security behavior of users smartphones  

• Author: Enxhia SALA

• Institution: University of Tirana,  Faculty of Economics, Department of Statistics and Applied Informatics

• Field of study: Information Systems Economics

• Publication date: 09.03.2026

• The dissertation is published in Albanian.

© Copyright: Enxhia SALA

Published by the University of Tirana
Based on legal acts, regulations and policies of the UT

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Abstract 

In the era of digital transformation, the smartphone has become an essential element of daily life, creating a seamless interaction between the individual and information. Although technologies offer advanced protection mechanisms, the human factor remains the most fragile point of information security. This thesis addresses the topic “Assessment and improvement of information security behavior of smartphone users”, aiming to analyze and explain how attitudes, perceptions, social influences and individual experiences affect digital protective behaviors. 

The study is conducted on a quantitative and deductive approach, integrating four main theoretical frameworks: Decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior (DTPB), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed through structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Empirical results reveal significant relationships between security attitude, people and media influence, security intention and actual security behaviors, highlighting the mediating role of security intention and the influence of computing experience and previous breach experiences. 

This study contributes to the interdisciplinary information security literature by providing an integrated theoretical and empirical model for assessing smartphone user behavior. The findings provide practical recommendations for designing cyber awareness and education programs aimed at developing a sustainable digital security culture at the individual and institutional levels.  

 

Field: ""Economic Sciences" 

(Subfield: “Information Systems in Economics”) 

 

Keywords: 

Information Security, User Behavior, Security Intent, Smartphone, Cyber ​​Awareness 

 

 

Extended  

In the era of digital transformation, the smartphone has become an essential element of daily life, enabling continuous interaction between individuals and information. Although advanced technological mechanisms for protection exist, the human factor remains the weakest link in information security. This doctoral dissertation, titled "Assessing and improving the information security behavior of smartphone users", aims to analyze and explain how attitudes, perceptions, social influences, and individual experiences affect users' protective digital behaviors. 

The study adopts a quantitative and deductive approach, integrating four major theoretical frameworks: the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior (DTPB), the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Empirical findings reveal significant relationships between security attitude, social and media influence, security intention, and actual security behavior, emphasizing the mediating role of security intention and the impact of computing experience and prior security breaches. 

This research contributes to the interdisciplinary field of information security by providing an integrated theoretical and empirical model for assessing the security behavior of smartphone users. The results offer practical recommendations for designing awareness and cybersecurity education programs that promote a sustainable digital security culture at both individual and institutional levels. 

 

Field of study: “Economic Sciences” 

(Subfield: "Information Systems in Economics") 

 

Keywords: 

Information security, User behavior, Security intention, Smartphone, Cybersecurity awareness