KESADARAN PENGGUNA WHATSAPP TERHADAP PRAKTEK PHISHING FILE.APK

The advancement of information and communication technology, particularly through instant messaging applications like WhatsApp, has introduced new threats in cybercrime, one of which is phishing. WhatsApp has become a widely used communication platform for spreading phishing attacks, especially through APK files. This study aims to measure WhatsApp users’ awareness of APK phishing threats among university students.

The study highlights the impact of media technology developments, leading to the phenomenon of phishing, underscoring the need for WhatsApp users to enhance cybersecurity awareness by strengthening digital literacy. This research is grounded in the theory of technological determinism, which explains how technological progress influences user behavior and awareness. Additionally, information processing theory is used to understand how users respond to phishing threats based on their level of digital literacy.

The method used is a quantitative descriptive approach with survey techniques. Data were collected through questionnaires distributed to 55 students from the University of Muhammadiyah Malang who are active WhatsApp users. Descriptive statistical analysis with univariate testing was conducted to measure the level of WhatsApp users' awareness of APK file phishing practices.

The results of this study indicate that most respondents have a moderate level of awareness regarding phishing threats, though some remain vulnerable due to a lack of understanding of phishing indicators. Many users are still intrigued and follow phishing prompts, particularly with APK file phishing. Further education on digital literacy is needed to prevent future APK phishing attacks.