Hacked Instagram Account: What To Do Now

Cybercrime doesn’t always involve bank fraud or AI impersonation. Sometimes, it can be as simple as logging into social media and realizing that you have a hacked Instagram account.

Don’t panic if you suspect your Instagram being hacked. Read this guide to learn how to tell your account has been hacked. We’ll also run you through some basic security steps and how to report hacking on instagram too.

Cybercrime Watch: How Do People Get Hacked On Instagram

Is it common to get hacked on Instagram? Well, Instagram hackers compromise social media accounts every day. But it’s even more prevalent on Instagram. In 2022, the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), reported victim inquiries quadrupled, compared to 2021. There were a whopping 40 times more inquiries than in 2020.

But how do people get hacked on Instagram in the first place? Here are some things to watch out for if you don’t want to end up with a hacked Instagram account:

• Phishing emails and messages: Cyber attackers send messages pretending to be friends, companies, or Instagram itself. They will then send you a link requesting your Instagram login details. Then they steal your information. Always be vigilant on messaging apps by learning how to spot fake text messages.
• Weak passwords: Make sure your password isn’t something people would expect. Avoid using your birthday or favorite movie as a password.

• Security breaches on other websites: Weak passwords include those you use for other websites. If those websites experience a security breach, cybercriminals will expose your username and password combination.
• Malicious downloaded software: Some programs you download online, can contain malware that stores your information elsewhere. Always be careful with applications you download online.
• Third-party apps: Such as editing apps and social media planning programs. These are dangerous because Instagram hackers behind these apps can access your account.

3 Tell-Tale Instagram Account Hacked Signs

It’s relatively easy to spot a hacked Instagram account. Sometimes, the sign is as easy as not being able to access your account with your login details anymore. Instagram hackers will immediately change your password or email address to keep you from logging into your account. But other times, it’s not that obvious.

If you don’t look close enough, you might miss Instagram account hacked signs. Here’s how to tell that your profile has been hacked:

Hacked IG Account Sign #1: You Get an Unexpected Email

If you suspect that you’ve been hacked, the first thing Instagram suggests is to check your email. Instagram always emails you about any changes to your account, such as your password or email address.

Look through your inbox to see if you recently got a message from security@mail.instagram.com about changes like these. If you see that someone changed your email address or password without your knowledge, hackers may have compromised your account.

To undo this change, click “Secure my account” in the email. Try asking Instagram for a security code or link from that email to access your hacked Instagram account. Instagram might also email if they detect login activity from an unfamiliar device. This usually happens when you log in using a new phone or a friend’s laptop. But it could also mean that Instagram hackers are using their device to take control of your account.

The email from Instagram should tell you what device it is and where it is located. If it sounds completely unfamiliar to you, it’s time to take basic security steps to try and regain your account.

Hacked IG Account Sign #2: Strange Activity on Your Account

Some Instagram hackers don’t ask as fast and don’t change your password after getting hold of your account. This will likely prevent Instagram from alerting you of changes to your account. What they will do, however, is use your account as if it was their own.

If you have a feeling that your account has been compromised, check the recent activity on it. You can do that by going to your profile’s burger menu and clicking “Your activity.”

Look through your recent likes and comments. If you spot engagements you know you didn’t make, you likely have a hacked Instagram account.

Check your profile as well. Have some of your photos been deleted? Or worse, are there new ones you didn’t make on your feed? Actions like that point to a compromised account.

You should also check the login activity on your account. Here, you’ll find what devices and locations can access your account. If some of these don’t look like yours, it’s a tell-tale sign of a hack IG account.

Hacked IG Account Sign #3: You Have DMs You Didn’t Send

Instagram hackers steal access to people’s accounts to use their power and influence over their followers. So, they may try to send fake Instagram messages to your friends and followers. They may bait others with a phishing link or extort money by pretending to be you.

If this happens to you, it might be best to warn friends and followers about this hack. If you feel unsafe posting about it using the hacked Instagram account, turn to other platforms. 

Back on Track: How To Recover Hacked Instagram Account

If you notice any of the Instagram account hacked signs above, act as soon as possible. Timely action will ensure Instagram hackers lose control of your account. Here’s how to recover hacked Instagram accounts if you still have access to your profile:

Change the Password of the Hack IG Account

You’re quite lucky if you realize your Instagram account has been hacked before the Instagram hackers change your credentials. Act on it right away by creating a stronger password. Luckily, changing your Instagram password is easy. Here’s how to do it:

1. On your profile, tap the burger menu and click “Settings.”
2. In the “Accounts Center”, click “Password and security.”
3. Click “Change password” and enter the current and new password you want to use. 

As soon as you change your password, Instagram logs you out of all other devices. That means the platform will automatically log the Instagram hackers out of their session. They’re then led to the login page, where they’ll have to provide the correct login details to re-access the account. 

Activate Two-Factor Authentication

You should also turn on two-factor authentication for additional security. This feature allows one to log into your account only if they use a second platform to confirm the login. This could be a security code through text or even a third-party authentication app. 

Even if Instagram hackers somehow get your password again, they won’t be able to get past this extra step.

Here’s how to activate two-factor authentication on Instagram:

1. Click on “Settings” and go to the “Accounts center”.
2. Click “Password and security” and then “Two-factor authentication.”
3. Select the Instagram profile you want to set it up for.
4. Select the method you prefer. Instagram can now do security codes via text, authentication apps, and WhatsApp confirmations.

Remove Access From Third-Party Apps and Unknown Devices

To be extra safe, consider revoking third-party apps’ access to the hacked Instagram account. These apps see a lot of information about your profile, which could lead to another hack in the future. Here’s how to disconnect your account from these unwanted apps:

1. Click the burger menu on your Instagram profile and go to your account’s “Settings.”
2. Click “Apps and Websites” in the “Accounts center” and then go to “Active.” You’ll see all the third-party apps your account is currently connected to here.
3. Pick and choose among the apps which you want to remove.

While you’re at it, end the current sessions of this account on unknown devices. That way, Instagram terminates any sessions running on the Instagram hacker’s device immediately. Check your “Trusted devices” in the “Accounts center” to eliminate unknown devices from the list.

How To Report Hacked Instagram Account if You’ve Lost Access

You may be wondering how to report hacking on Instagram if you no longer have access. Reporting an Instagram account hack gets trickier if you’ve completely lost access to your account. This happens when the cyber-attacker works quickly and immediately changes your email address and password.

If you’ve lost access to your hacked Instagram account. report the hack to Instagram immediately so their team can help. You can request assistance from Instagram after a hack here.

It’s not as simple as crying out “my Instagram account was hacked”. Instagram support will ask you for additional steps to prove that you are the rightful owner of the hacked account. For one thing, they will send you a security code or a login link. 

If you have photos of yourself on your profile, they will also ask you to take a video selfie. This step is to make sure that it’s you who is reporting the hacking on Instagram. 

A Clean Slate: How To Delete a Hacked IG Account

The trauma of a hacked Instagram account can take a toll on anyone. Sometimes, people want to start fresh with a new profile afterward. They may feel their current profile is unsafe, and prone to hacks.

You can only delete an account in one of two scenarios. The first is if you can access your account because the Instagram hackers never changed your password during the attack. The second is if you could regain access to your hacked Instagram account through the app’s help.

If either of these two sounds like you, getting rid of your vulnerable account is simple. Here’s how to delete a hacked Instagram account:

1. On your Instagram profile, click on the burger menu on the top-right and select “Settings.”
2. Select “Personal details” in the “Accounts center” and then “Account ownership and control.”
3. Choose whether to deactivate your account for the time being or delete it permanently.
4. Select which account you want to delete and confirm your decision.

Although your profile disappears from the app immediately, your data is kept in Instagram’s backup storage. After you submit a deletion request, Instagram will delete all your profile’s data and information forever within 30 days.

You can now create a new Instagram account and have a clean slate. Use a secure email address and a strong password for your login details.

Act Right Away To Save Your Hacked IG Account!

Stay vigilant and always watch for the signs of a hacked Instagram account. If you have the suspicion that your account has been hacked, immediately follow the security steps to regain access.

Finding the right course of action upon discovering a hacked Instagram account isn’t just safekeeping your online identity. It also protects your community of followers from potentially having the same thing happen to them.

Are you looking to grow that community? Path Social can help you out! Our in-house platform uses a proprietary AI targeting algorithm to serve your content to those who will enjoy it most. Grow your community of Instagram followers with our tool today!

FAQs

Experiencing a hacked Instagram account issue can be concerning. Hopefully now you know how to set things straight. If you have any further worries, check out our frequently asked questions.