Millions of iPhone and Android owners should use this feature now

The sooner you act, if needed, the better

Both iPhone and Android users are being advised to protect themselves and their devices against hackers, with a number of straightforward steps available to help them do so.

Our mobile phones hold everything from banking credentials to personal messages and photographs, making them prime targets for criminals. Even if you believe your device is secure, no system is entirely foolproof, sadly. Because of this, experts from Which? have encouraged people to secure as many online accounts as possible using two-factor authentication, often called 2FA. The consumer champions describe this swift security measure as a “brilliant and simple way” to protect yourself.

It explains: “When you attempt to access an account from a new device – for example, a Gmail or Outlook inbox – the associated website or app will send a code to your smartphone. You then have to enter the time-sensitive code before you can continue using the service.

“We strongly suggest activating 2FA for every service you log in to. Doing so can stop hackers who might have obtained your password via a data breach or phishing scam from logging in.”

To enable 2FA, open the application you wish to secure and head to the account security settings. Typically, you’ll be prompted to enter your mobile number, at which point the service will send a verification code.

You then enter this code to confirm you wish to proceed with the setup. Beyond these measures, you should always exercise caution with suspicious links and avoid unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. You will also want to make sure that you’re only downloading trusted apps.

To check if your smartphone is up to date, follow these steps:

• On iPhone: Open Settings and choose General. Tap About to see your iOS version. You can also choose Software update to check for updates.
• On Android: Open the Settings app and look for an option that says About phone or similar. Tap it and look for Android version. From the main Settings screen, you can also find an Update option. On a Google Pixel, for example, the steps would be Settings > System > Software updates.

Small habits can go a long way in keeping your phone safe. Use strong passwords, check which apps can access your data, and lock your phone when you’re not using it. Combined with built-in security features, these steps help protect your device and your data.