How To Prevent Instagram From Getting Hacked: 8 Vital Tips
It’s a nightmare for any influencer—your meticulously curated account slipping through your fingers and getting stolen by a hacker. Then, it gets worse. Now, they’re terrorizing your poor fans, pretending to be you, and posting content that can be detrimental to your reputation. Scary, right? Don’t worry. Today, we’re teaching you how to prevent Instagram from getting hacked so it never happens to you!
As an influencer, keeping your account’s security tight is important for protecting your brand and building trust among fans.
Got yourself yelling, “Hey Siri, tell me how to prevent my Instagram from getting hacked!” often nowadays? Here’s exactly what you have to do to keep heartless hackers at bay and keep your Instagram account safe.
Is Instagram Hackable?
The sad, honest answer is yes, “Instagram is hackable.”
Don’t get us wrong, Instagram is very thorough with its security features to keep everyone’s profiles safe. But sometimes, hackers get crafty and trick users into giving away their login credentials willy-nilly.
According to a NordVPN survey, 37% of people have experienced having their social accounts compromised. In the same pool, 89% of people know someone who has been hacked online before, too. Because of that, 76% of people are more concerned than ever about the safety of their online accounts.
So yes, sadly, hacking on social media—including Instagram—is quite rampant and definitely possible today. Thankfully, with the right strategies on how to prevent an Instagram account from getting hacked, you can avoid becoming a victim. But more on those later!
How Do People Hack Instagram?
There are several ways an Instagram account can get hacked. For example, phishing scams and weak passwords being the most common.
Let’s take a closer look at how do people hack Instagram accounts:
- Phishing scams: Hackers lead victims to websites designed to look exactly like the Instagram login link and landing page. When you enter your login credentials on that site, hackers will instantly see them.
- Weak passwords: Hackers can easily dig up personal information about you and guess your account’s password based on that.
- Keyloggers: Hackers can trick you into downloading files that will secretly install keyloggers on your device. This malware can record everything you type on your device, including your passwords.
How To Prevent Instagram From Getting Hacked: Our Top 8 Tips
Need help tightening your Instagram account’s security to ensure nobody steals your beloved profile from you? Here are eight crucial tips for how to prevent your Instagram account from getting hacked.
1. Use a Strong, Unique, Hard-To-Guess Password
Avoid using common phrases and personal information (like your name or birthday) in your passwords. This makes them easier to guess, so it’s a huge no-no.
Instead, make a strong password with a combo of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. The more complex it is, the better, so hackers have a harder time guessing your login details.
Pro tip: Use a password manager to store your login credentials, especially if they’re too complicated to remember. These apps also remind you to change your password regularly, giving your account even more security.
2. Set Up Two-Factor Authentication
Setting up two-factor authentication (or 2FA) on Instagram requires anyone logging into your account to provide an extra security code. This code can come via text message, an authentication app, or WhatsApp.
This is a terrific way to keep your account safe even if someone finds out your password. It’s basically a second gate they must cross to even come close to accessing your account.
Here’s how to turn on 2FA on Instagram:
1. On your profile, click the three horizontal lines to go to your settings.
2. Tap the Accounts Center.
3. Select Password and security, and then Two-factor authentication.
4. Choose the Instagram account for which you want to set up 2FA.
5. Select the security method you want to set up and follow the instructions to activate it.
3. Be Extra Vigilant of Phishing Scams
Don’t instantly trust random emails and direct Instagram messages that share sketchy links. Sometimes, these can be phishing sites designed to steal your login credentials. Never click on links sent by people you don’t know. And even if they’re sent by people you trust, double-check the URL to make sure it’s legitimate.
4. Regularly Monitor Your Login Activity To Spot Unrecognized Devices
Sometimes, hackers can log into your account through another device, and you won’t even notice. So, review your devices from time to time to scope out any suspicious unknown devices.
Here’s how to log your account out of unrecognized devices:
1. Go to the Accounts Center from your personal settings.
2. Select Password and security, and then Where you’re logged in.
3. You’ll see all the devices using your account. If you see any devices you don’t recognize, tap Select devices to log out.
4. Tick the box next to the sketchy device and tap Log out.
5. Always Use the Latest Version of the Instagram App
The Instagram team regularly updates the platform to ensure every user has the latest security patches on their app. These security fixes will be distributed in the next app update. To reap the benefits of a safer, more secure app, always update Instagram through the App Store or Google Play Store.
6. Keep Your Email Address Safe
Make sure that the email address linked to your Instagram is also safe from being vulnerable to hackers. Hackers who can’t hack your Instagram might find a way to compromise your email first and then your online accounts. So, if possible, ensure your email has a strong password and 2FA, too.
7. Always Log Out of Devices You Share With Others
Sharing an iPad with family or using a computer at your campus library? Remember to always log out of your Instagram account after you use it on these shared devices. That way, the next person won’t have access to it and compromise your account.
8. Don’t Log Into Your Account When Connected to Public Wi-Fi
Hackers can intercept certain unsecured public Wi-Fi sources and see people’s login activity when they’re connected to them. So, as much as possible, don’t log into your online accounts while on public Wi-Fi. If you really need to use the internet in a public space, use a VPN to encrypt your online activity.
Don’t Jeopardize Your Growth—Always Keep Your IG Safe!
Don’t let anyone take away the personal brand you’ve worked so hard to build. Follow our tips above to keep your account from falling into the wrong hands. Learning how to prevent Instagram from getting hacked isn’t just about safeguarding your content. It’s also about preserving your growth.
Need to restore that growth after an unfortunate hack? Path Social has got you. We use organic promotional strategies to push your content to people most likely to love it. By reaching the right audience, you stand the chance of winning the hearts of more fans and growing your community.
Our strategies have helped brands like Hailey’s Clothing gain 22,000 followers fast. Want to see the same for your page? Grow your Instagram and your follower count with Path Social today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Instagram accounts getting hacked so easily?
Many people’s accounts get hacked into easily because they’re not vigilant about security measures. There are people who aren’t aware of phishing scams and how they operate, making them easy targets for the MO.
Others, on the other hand, settle for weak passwords with no two-factor authentication, making them more vulnerable to hacks.
What are the signs that my Instagram is hacked?
Tell-tale signs that you’ve been hacked include changes to your profile, from your feed post to your profile picture. DMs in your inbox that you didn’t send are also an easy sign to spot.
But the most horrific sign that you’ve been hacked is that you can no longer log in. That means the hacker has already changed your password.
How do you lock your Instagram account?
To lock your account and keep it safe, set up a strong password that’s nearly impossible to guess. Couple that with an extra layer of security through two-factor authentication, and you’ll successfully keep those hackers away.
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