If you have had your Instagram hacked, you’re not alone. An estimated 85% of Instagram users have had their accounts compromised, according to Station X. Hackers often move fast and aggressively. They might lock you out, start sending phishing messages to your followers, or even delete your account. The good news is that recovery is possible. If you act quickly, you can regain control of your Instagram hacked account and protect your digital identity.
Is Your Instagram Hacked? Signs to Look Out For
Instagram hacked accounts are not always apparent. Some cybercriminals may gain access to an account and use it to secretly gather more information over time. Here are some common red flags that can indicate your Instagram has been hacked.
- You’re suddenly locked out of your account, even though you didn’t change your password.
- Your email, username, or phone number has been altered without your knowledge.
- You receive suspicious login alerts from unfamiliar locations, devices, or IP addresses.
- There are posts or direct messages from your profile that you didn’t create or send.
- Friends or followers report receiving scam messages or unusual activity coming from your account.
- You receive an alert that your login credentials were in a past data breach.
Immediate Steps to Take if You Still Have Access to Instagram
You need to act quickly when your account has been compromised. Wait too long and a hacker can lock you out of your account completely. Take these immediate steps if you have gotten your Instagram hacked:
- Change your password right away to block unauthorized access.
- Check active login sessions and log out of any unfamiliar devices or locations.
- Review and remove any suspicious third-party apps by checking your list of authorized applications.
- Two-factor authentication is an added layer of security. Make sure it’s turned on using your phone number or an authentication app.
- Update your recovery email and phone number to ensure you can regain access if needed.
Recovering an Instagram Hacked Account: Step-by-Step Guide
If you’ve been locked out of your Instagram account, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to recover it. Start by checking your email inbox for a message from Instagram notifying you that your password has been changed. Look specifically for emails from security@mail.instagram.com.
If you find one, open it. Click the “Revert this change” link as soon as possible. Acting quickly increases your odds of regaining access. Once you have control again, you should immediately change your password and secure your account.
If that doesn’t work, don’t stress. There’s another way to recover your account. Here’s what to do next. Head over to the Instagram Help Center and look for the “Hacked Instagram Account” article. You’ll usually find this under the “Privacy, Security, and Reporting” menu option or through the Help Center search bar. Then, follow the steps for each prompt depending on your situation. You may have to try multiple ways to regain access.
If your account is hacked and you no longer have access, follow these steps:
- Visit Instagram.com/hacked and enter your username, email, or phone number that’s linked to your account. This helps Instagram locate it.
- When prompted, choose “My account was hacked.” This tells Instagram you need extra help and support to get back in.
- Follow the steps to verify your identity. They’ll ask you to record a selfie video to make sure you’re the rightful owner.
If you don’t know your password, follow these steps:
- On the login screen, click on “Forgot your password.”
- Enter the email address, phone number, or username associated with the account in question.
- Select “Send Login Link.”
- Follow the instructions in the subsequent email or text message.
If the login link doesn’t work, use a support code:
- On the login screen, select “Forgot your password” and then “Can’t reset your password?”.
- Enter your email or username to help Instagram identify your account. You can also locate your profile by mobile number instead.
- Instagram support will send a support code to your email, username, or mobile number with instructions to follow.
If the email associated with your profile has been changed, Instagram will send two emails from security@mail.instagram.com:
- One to the new email to accept the change.
- One to the original email to deny the change.
- If you deny the change with the original email, you can reverse the change by clicking on the included link.
Instagram’s Video Selfie Verification Tool
Instagram implemented a video selfie tool to verify the identity of account owners. Users will have to record a live video and turn their head in different directions to prove that they’re a real person. If the verification is successful, you will receive an email to reset your password. If it’s unsuccessful, you may receive an email to resubmit your video selfie.
You should keep your selfie video for Instagram’s identity check simple. Avoid wearing hats, masks, or heavy makeup unless that’s how you usually appear in your posts. The goal is to look as close to your typical Instagram appearance as possible so the system can recognize you.
Be patient. Recovering an Instagram hacked account can take some time. In some cases, it only takes 30 minutes, but it could take a few days. Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t work on the first try. You may need to submit the verification more than once.
Why Would Someone Want to Hack Your Instagram Account in the First Place?
Unfortunately, Instagram accounts are prime targets for scammers and cybercriminals to commit identity theft. Once they gain control, they can impersonate you to gain the trust of your friends and family. Here’s what a hacker might do with your account:
- Exploit your identity to trick your followers into falling for crypto scams, phishing links, or fraudulent listings.
- Launch sextortion or blackmail scams using your name, photos, and likeness to lure in unsuspecting victims.
- Spam your followers with fake giveaways or sketchy products to steal personal information or money.
- Insert malicious links in your bio, stories, or DMs that lead to malware or phishing sites.
- Sell your account on the dark web, where other scammers use it to run new fraud campaigns under your identity.
Getting your Instagram hacked can be upsetting. However, you shouldn’t panic. Help is available. With a bit of patience and the right steps, you can recover your account and take back control.
How to Protect Your Instagram from Future Hacks
The more secure your Instagram account is, the harder it will be for hackers to break in. The good news is that Instagram has various ways to secure your account. We will outline the preventive measures you can take to avoid having your Instagram hacked below.
Create a Strong Password
Your password is the key to locking down your Instagram account. Once a hacker has your password, they can change any account information they want. Your password should also be unique to Instagram in case of data leaks. There are a few things that create a strong password. It needs at least 12 characters, uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols.
Always Use Two-Factor Authentication
Nowadays, you should always use two-factor authentication (2FA) to lock down your Instagram account. 2FA is a sign-in process where users are required to confirm their identity in two separate ways. You can typically use a messaging app, email, or phone number. Instagram also allows users to use a third-party authentication app for 2FA. These apps generate codes that help confirm your identity. For this option, Instagram recommends downloading Duo Mobile or Google Authenticator.
Review Login Activity
Instagram will send you an email when there is a suspicious login attempt on your account. This typically means that the device used is not affiliated with your profile. If you get this notification, you need to immediately secure your Instagram account. Change your password and make sure the option to log out of all devices afterward is checked.
Manage Your Third-Party Apps
Many people use third-party applications when using Instagram. However, third-party apps also pose significant security risks to your Instagram account. If the third-party apps have bad security, hackers can use the application to access the login credentials of its users. Make sure you are using trusted apps when connecting to third parties like Hootsuite, Later, and Canva.
Lock Down Your Instagram Account
When it comes to locking down your Instagram profile, you should start with making your account private. Having a public profile opens you up to everybody on the platform, which includes bad actors.
Making your account private protects your profile and prevents Instagram blackmail. Simply go into the settings and click on “Account Privacy”, then switch your account to private. You can also go to “Messages and Story Replies” to make sure that only your followers can message you and view your stories.
Protecting Your Instagram Account Data
Now that you’ve secured your Instagram account, you need to keep your information out of the hacker’s hands. They will try to trick you into sharing your information using clever methods. Once you know their tactics, you will be able to completely lock down your Instagram account.
Be Cautious of Direct Messages (DMs)
Hackers who run phishing scams want you to click on their malicious links. That is their main objective, and they will use social media impersonations to get it. On Instagram, they will pose as popular brands, influencers, friends, or even Instagram itself. For example, scammers often pose as Instagram and send users or businesses messages about “suspicious activity”.
Then, after you click on an included link, your device becomes infected with malware. Another type of phishing scam sends you to a fake Instagram login website that’s designed to capture the information you enter into the login section.
You should always be cautious when clicking on a link. Even if you lock down your Instagram account, a phishing link can still come from someone you follow. Hackers will often use an account that they took over to send phishing links to their followers.
Reaching Out for Help When You Have an Instagram Hacked Account
Private cybersecurity firms can also help you recover your Instagram hacked account. They can investigate your account to determine if it has actually been compromised. You’ll have clear, credible evidence to present to Instagram, which can greatly improve your chances of recovering your account. These experts also provide a step-by-step recovery guide to help you navigate the process of working with Instagram administrators.
Recovering an Instagram hacked account takes quick, decisive action. The tips in this article should guide you through the process. However, if things get tricky, don’t hesitate to reach out to a cybersecurity expert for support.
