I’m a hacking expert – never make three dangerous iPhone and Android mistakes and the first is too common

SMARTPHONE owners have been urged to practice three important methods to protect their data.

A new report by Malwarebytes has found that smartphone owners aren’t utilizing important security settings.

This can lead to users’ devices falling susceptible to malware, breached data, and hackers.

To help combat this, Malwarebytes suggested three methods smartphone owners should employ immediately.

USE A PASSWORD MANAGER

Cyberattacks and breaches are dangerous because they can target your financial accounts and identity.

One step users take to help you stay safe is using a password manager.

Password managers work by making it simple to use a strong, unique password for all your online accounts.

Complex passwords are first generated and then stored in your device’s password manager so you don’t have to remember them.

USE MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION

Two-factor or multi-authentication (MFA) protects your accounts by requiring an extra level of verification before logging in – such as an SMS confirmation.

This feature keeps apps that contain sensitive information secure, and can also help protect you from identity and phishing scams.

Malwarebytes found that only 24 percent of people use MFA; the figure drops to 16 percent for Gen Z.

“MFA stands between your account and the abuse of your password by requiring you to enter another form of authentication—other than a password—to log in,” Malwarebytes writes in their report.

ENABLE AN ANTIVIRUS

When asked about antivirus, most people will admit that it’s important.

However, those same people also likely don’t use it – Malwarebytes found that just 35 percent of people use antivirus.

Still, experts recommend that everyone enables some form of antivirus on their devices as it can prove imperative.

“Antivirus works,” Malwarebytes said.

“Every year, Malwarebytes detects and removes millions of viruses, Trojans, adware infections, monitoring tools, and more from user devices around the world,” the cybersecurity company added.