Tips To Avoid Instagram Accounts From Being Hacked

Introduction

On average 1.4 billion social media accounts get hacked every month and this number is on the rise. However, with these alarming numbers and Instagram being one of the most prominent social media platforms, there is an urgent need for Instagram users to know a few tips to avoid Instagram accounts from being hacked.

The below blog will enlighten you with a few sure-shot tips to protect your Instagram account and recover it if hacked!

Why Are Instagram Accounts Hacked?

An important thing you should do is ensure your Instagram account is hack-proof. However, what is so tempting that would cause other people to intrude on your privacy? Here are four reasons:

Reason 1: Spamming 

Spamming is one of the main reasons hackers hack Instagram accounts. They can use your account to send spam messages to random IDs to generate profit for their business and will give a bad reputation to your account.

Reason 2: Stealing Your Info 

Hacking can be done to steal your private information. Your account contains a lot of your pictures and videos. Hackers can steal these pictures and videos and use them to accomplish their nasty motives. 

Along with this they can gather IDs of your followers and can also exploit other accounts linked with your Instagram account. 

Reason 3: Blackmail And Competition 

Hackers can steal your images and videos, morph them and might use them to blackmail you. They can also use your private and personal chats to blackmail you. Also, your direct messages might have your chat details with your clients or your team, which they can exploit as a competitor.

Reason 4. Promoting Other Accounts 

Cybercriminals may use your stolen account to boost the popularity of other accounts on Instagram. They may like, repost or comment on the pages they wish to promote.

5 Tips To Avoid Instagram Accounts From Being Hacked

Are you an Instagram user, who is worried about protecting your Instagram account against hacks? Here are a few ways to keep your account secure.

Tip 1: Use Strong And Unique Password

It is crucial to create a strong and unique password for your Instagram account so that hackers cannot hack your Instagram password. A strong password should at least be 16 characters long and should consist of a mix of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. 

To prevent account hacking, try not to use passwords that are easily guessed such as "password123" or common words. Moreover, users should ensure that they do not use the same password for multiple accounts. 

A different password for each online account will minimize the chance that multiple accounts of yours get hacked if one password is stolen.

Tip 2: Enable Two-Factor Authentication In Instagram

Multi-factor authentication will strengthen your Insta account, providing security that does not rely on only passwords. This usually entails offering an extra method of verification, e.g. code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app, when signing in.

Implementing MFA essentially shuts down the potential gap between the breach of the account information and the hacker’s attempt to take control of your account. Instagram offers several options for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to help keep your account secure:

• Time-Based One Time Password (TOTP) 

This technique makes use of an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator or a login manager trying to add an extra protection level by incorporating the TOTP function. These applications are free to use in most of the cases. 

A 6-digit code is created after successful setup and it changes every 30-60 seconds. After you enter the login page of Instagram, you have to put up this code together with your username and password. TOTP is thought to be the safest and fastest MFA option for Instagram.

• Text Messages 

In case you select this option, you have to share your phone number with Instagram. When you try to sign in, Instagram sends a unique code to you via text message. You can provide this code to secure your identity and finish up with the login process.

• Whatsapp SMS

Lastly, in some countries, WhatsApp Message is offered as a handier and faster option for receiving codes if the SMS option is chosen. This can serve as a substitute for people who prefer chatting via WhatsApp.

Tip 3: Update Your Phone Number And Email

Providing correct contact information, in particular your phone number and email address, is vital for account recovery and security information. 

In case suspicious activity is cast or you forget your password, the following contact details save you time from recovering access to your account quickly and alert you of any security threats when they occur. 

To update your contacts, go to settings and locate the "Personal Details" or "Account Center" section then follow the instructions provided to add or modify your number or email.

Tip 4: Report Content And Accounts You Find Questionable

An important aspect of Instagram security is to report Instagram account hacks or any suspicious content or accounts that you find. 

When you encounter posts, messages, or profiles that you believe to be spam, fraud, or violating regulations of the community, please report them to Instagram where they will be reviewed. 

Reporting reinforces Instagram's ability to detect and thwart bad actors, and it allows users to be protected. You can report by tapping the 3 dots above a post, long hold on a message or visiting an account’s profile and then selecting the corresponding report option.

Tip 5: Enable Login Request Alerts

Providing login request alerts helps you to be aware of any attempts to get into your Instagram account without your permission. Instagram can send you notifications, be it through the app or your email, whenever someone tries logging in to your account from a device that is not recognized. 

Through the support of these alerts, you can quickly take actions like altering your password or removing suspicious devices from your account. 

To set up login request alerts, tap on your Instagram settings, then go to the "Login alerts" subsection under the "Accounts Center" section, and select your preferred way to get notifications.

How To Recover A Hacked Account Through Instagram?

Is your Instagram hacked? Here is how to recover your Instagram account:

Way 1: Check Your Email Account For A Message From Instagram

First, have a look at your inbox to see if you have an email from Instagram at the address security@mail.instagram.com. If you open one of such emails and click “secure your account” there, you might be able to fix the problem. 

Way 2: Request A Login Link From Instagram

The second way to recover your account is to request Instagram to send you a login link to either your email or phone. Here’s how:

• Step 1: Log into your Instagram account and on the login page, tap on "Forgot Password?".

• Step 2: Input your name, email, or phone number. Then just click "Next".

• Step 3: Select your mobile phone or email and click 'Next'.

• Step 4: The login link is included in your email or text message, so click on it and follow the instructions.

Way 3: Request A Security Code Or Support From Instagram

If the login link didn't work, you can ask Instagram for help:

• Step 1: On the login screen, use your fingers to press "Get help logging in" below the "Login" button.

• Step 2: Type in your username, email, or phone, and then click "Can't Reset Your Password?" for help.

• Step 3: Tap the "Need more help?" button and follow the instructions.

• Step 4: Select either your email or phone, and then tap on "Send security code".

• Step 5: If you do not get a security code, then tap "I can’t access this email or phone" and follow the instructions.

Way 4: Verify your identity

If your Instagram account gets hacked, and to recover it, depending on your account, Instagram might ask you to verify your identity:

• If there are no photos of you in your account, Instagram can ask for your email or phone number and also for the type of device you used when registering the account.

• If your Instagram account has photos of yours, it might ask you to take a video of you turning your head in all directions.

• After you post the video, Instagram will send you an email to the email address you mentioned in the secure email form.

• Please be advised that this video is only for checking that you are a human being and will be deleted after 30 days.

Conclusion

Instagram is no more just a place for people to meet and share their stories, it has now become bread and butter to many. It has become a source of income for many influencers who have created their amazing world over this extremely addictive platform. 

Not only that, many Instagram users share their details over the platform and use it for business purposes. In such scenarios protecting your Instagram account becomes mandatory, especially when Instagram hacking has become a common occurrence. 

We hope this blog has given you deeper insights into how to protect your Instagram account from being hacked and how to recover it if already been hacked!