How To Protect Your Instagram Account From Hackers

If you have ever received an email from Instagram support stating that your credentials have changed, but you have not logged into your account, chances are a hacker infiltrated your account.

Other signs include attempted sign-ins from unrecognized devices or unusual activity on your feed.

If you receive a notification from Instagram of an account suspension because you spammed other users, you’ve definitely been hacked.

Hackers use their skills to break into accounts, so to speak, and bait existing Instagram connections. They can spam your contacts with direct messages and even lock you out of your own account.

If you run a business Instagram account, being hacked can lead to lost income if you get locked out of your profile or if Instagram suspends it. So, in this case, prevention is always better than cure.

The following steps will help you protect your account against hackers.

Go Back To The Basics

The basics, in this instance, refer to selecting a strong password. This may be common sense, but the single biggest reason for hacking and phishing attempts is a weak password.

Choose an auto-generated password for your Instagram account (and all other online accounts). Be sure to use a unique auto-generated password for each account.

Use a password manager to help you remember these passwords in the future. Password managers store all your passwords safely, so you don’t have to write them down.

Don’t Ignore Two-Factor Authentication

Yes, two-factor authentication is a pain, especially when you run multiple social media accounts. But it is one of the most effective methods to use to prevent people from hacking them.

Use two-factor authentication for your Instagram account in conjunction with a strong password. This multi-step process will require you to verify your identity using a security code.

You will also have to install an authentication app. When you log into your Instagram account, select the two-factor authentication option under the settings menu.

The platform will find your authentication app and send a code for you to retrieve from it. When you enter the code on Instagram, it will turn on the two-factor authentication feature.

Use Multi-Factor Authentication for Extra Protection

Multi-factor authentication adds an extra step to protect your account. MFA is recommended for Instagram accounts because they are prone to hacking by cybercriminals.

Should your password be compromised after a hacker tries to get into your account, MFA will protect your account from further damage.

MFA also requires an authenticator app, which will display a 6-digit code when you want to log into your account.

This time-based one-time password feature is the most popular option and the fastest way to log in. Other MFA options include receiving a code via an SMS or a WhatsApp message when logging in.

Learn To Recognize Phishing Attempts

It is crucial to know what phishing looks like to protect your Instagram account. In most cases, hackers impersonate brands or even Instagram itself.

You may receive an official-looking email from someone claiming to work for Instagram’s Help Center. Or you may receive an email from someone pretending to work for a specific company.

When hackers use Instagram’s name and logo to do their dirty work, they usually add a sense of urgency.

This may include phrases like “If you don’t respond, your account will be closed in 24 hours” or “An unauthorized person tried to log into your account. Click on this link to secure your profile.”

As you can see, hackers will even allude to their criminal activities to get you to click on a phishing link and reveal PINs and passwords.

One of the easiest ways to spot a phishing email is to look for grammatical or spelling errors. You should also look at the sender’s email address and hover over the hyperlink in the body of the email.

More often than not, you can spot these fake emails just by observing these details.

What To Do If Your Instagram Account Gets Hacked

If your account gets hacked and you still have access to it, you can block the hacker from going any further.

The first thing to do is check your phone number and email address to ensure they are still the same and that the hacker hasn’t changed any of your information. You can do this under Settings, Account, and Personal Information.

If you have active sessions open on your profile, log out of each one. Do this on all your devices, including your phone, tablet, and computer.

Then, reset your password and turn on two-factor authentication or multi-factor authentication again. Doing this will ensure the hacker can’t get back into your account, even if they have your password.

Furthermore, you can check your Accounts Center for any suspicious activity and remove it.

You should also remove any third-party apps you don’t recognize by checking Settings, Security, and Apps and Websites.

If the hacker locks you out of your account, check your emails to see if Instagram sent you a message.

If you received this email, you could revert to your old password using the link in the email. The email must come from [email protected].

You can also request a login link to verify that you own the account. If you use an Android device, select ‘get help logging in,’ and for iOS, you can select ‘forgot password?’ when you open Instagram.

If the hacker changed your email address, send the login link to your phone. If the hacker changed your email and phone number, request support from Instagram’s login page and follow the prompts.

Keep Your Account Safe

When you’ve successfully recovered and secured your account, report the hacking attempt to the National Cybersecurity Alliance website. Reporting cybercrimes helps create a data trail that can potentially stop future attacks.

Invest in security software like antivirus and anti-malware programs for your phone and computer. Be sure to keep these programs updated.

Always back up your data using a secure cloud storage device, and never share your Instagram password with anyone.

If you receive text messages or links asking about your password, delete them immediately.

These proactive steps and measures will go a long way in protecting your Instagram account against cyber criminals.

So, stay vigilant and continue to strengthen your digital defense to keep your Instagram profile out of the wrong hands.