Having your Instagram account hacked can be a stressful and worrying situation. However, there are steps you can take to deal with this situation and also to prevent future attacks.
One of the results of having your Instagram account hacked can be the loss of access to your account, as well as the exposure of personal information, in addition to all the anguish caused.
In this article, we will discuss what to do if you have your Instagram account hacked and we will also provide essential tips on how to protect yourself to prevent your account from being hacked.
How do I know if my Instagram account hacked?
There are signs that reveal that your Instagram account hacked. If you are unable to access your account even after entering your credentials, it may indicate that someone has gained unauthorized access.
Additionally, if you notice strange activity on your account, such as posts, comments, direct messages, or changes to your account settings, and you didn’t make them, this could be a sign that your account has been hacked.
Other factors, such as password change emails or information, unknown followers or blocked accounts, and denied access to account information, may show that there has been a hack as well.
Instagram account hacked – what to do?
If your Instagram account hacked, you need to take some steps to recover your account and resolve the problem. Here are some tips to resolve the situation:
Access your account
If possible, try to log into your Instagram account as soon as possible to verify that the hacker hasn’t changed your login information.
If you can access your account, immediately change your password to a new, strong, unique password that you have not already used on other accounts.
Inform Instagram
Contact Instagram support through the app or website and report what happened. Explain that your account was hacked and provide all relevant information to help recover your account.
Check your security information
Verify all security information associated with your account, such as your phone number and email address. Make sure this information has not been altered by the hacker.
Review your privacy settings
Check to see if the hacker has made changes to your account’s privacy settings.
Ensure that your personal information such as photos, contact information and location are not accessible to unauthorized persons.
Revoke access from third-party apps
Revoke third-party apps access to your account as they may have been used by the hacker to gain unauthorized access.
Do this by going to your account settings and selecting “Apps and websites.”
Inform your followers
Make a post informing your followers that your account has been hacked and ask them to ignore any suspicious activity coming from your account.
This will help prevent others from being scammed by the hacker.
Tips to prevent your Instagram account hacked
To avoid having your Instagram account hacked, you can prevent yourself by taking some measures:
- Use strong passwords: Create unique and strong passwords that combine upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters. Avoid using obvious personal information and update your passwords regularly.
- Enable two-factor authentication: Enable two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to your account. This will require an additional verification code every time you log in on a new device.
- Watch out for phishing emails: Be alert to suspicious emails that ask for personal or login information. Always check the sender and avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown emails.
- Avoid sharing personal information: Be careful when sharing personal information in your posts or profile section. This can help prevent hackers from obtaining information that could be used to access your account.
- Keep your device secure: Keep your device and apps updated to the latest versions, as updates often fix security holes. Also, avoid connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.
- Be wary of suspicious links: Avoid clicking suspicious links sent via direct messages or comments on your posts. These links may direct you to malicious websites that may attempt to steal your login information.
By following these tips to prevent your Instagram account hacked, you can protect your Instagram account from hackers and be prepared to take action if your account is compromised.
Conclusion
In conclusion, having your Instagram account hacked can be a worrying and stressful situation. However, it’s essential to act quickly and take steps to regain control of your account and protect your personal information.
By changing your password immediately, reviewing your security settings, and contacting Instagram support, you increase your chances of resolving the issue.
Furthermore, it is essential to adopt security practices, such as choosing strong passwords, activating two-factor authentication and avoiding clicking on suspicious links.
By remaining vigilant and taking precautions, you can minimize the risk of having your Instagram account hacked and protect your privacy online.
Common questions about Instagram account hacked
- What should I do if I believe my Instagram account has been hacked?
If you suspect that your Instagram account has been hacked, we recommend that you do the following:
Change your password immediately, review your security settings and check for suspicious activity, and report it to Instagram support through the app or website.
- How can I prevent my Instagram account from being hacked?
Here are some tips for protecting your Instagram account:
Choose a strong and unique password, avoiding obvious personal information, enable two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security, don’t click on suspicious links or share sensitive information, and keep your app and operating system updated to the latest versions.
- What should I do if I lost access to my Instagram account after it was hacked?
If you lose access to your Instagram account after it’s been hacked, follow these steps: Try resetting your password using the “I forgot my password” option.
If you are unable to regain access, please contact Instagram support for further assistance.
Finally, be sure to provide all relevant information and proof that you are the true owner of the account.
