Instagram Account Got Hacked? Learn How To Protect It!

Can’t login to your Instagram account?

You’re told that the password you entered is incorrect, but it is changed by a hacker.

Don’t worry!

A hacked Instagram account is not always a complete loss; you can get it back by following some security protocols.

However, speed matters when it comes to protecting a hacked Instagram account.

Instagram account hacked? What to do and how to protect your data from getting compromised?

Let’s explore the reason why and how Instagram accounts get hacked, and how to recover and protect your Instagram account.

What happens when your Instagram gets hacked?

85% Instagram users got their Instagram account hacked in the last few years. The rising popularity of the social platform has made it inevitable for users to get their accounts hacked.

When a hacker gets access to a user’s account, an unrelated, suspicious online behavior can be observed by the user.

The user should be wary of the unusual activity and always verify security messages from Instagram.

Signs of a hacked Instagram account

If you’re an Instagram user, you can spot the following signs that show your Instagram is hacked:

• Unwanted emails for a password reset: Always check your mail inbox for security messages from Instagram. If you receive unwanted emails for a password reset, be alert.
• Receiving suspicious login alerts: Instagram sends such security alerts to make sure it’s you. If you’re not trying to access your account from a different device, someone else is.
• Suspicious verification emails: If you received verification mails to get access through a different location or device, it’s probably a hacker. 
• Login denied: Instagram says that your login credentials are incorrect.
• Suspicious content: If you or your followers spot suspicious content through reels, stories or static posts, someone else is posting it.
• Verification email got changed: If someone gets access to your account, the first thing they do is to remove your recovery information.
• Suspicious messages: Once a hacker gets access to your account, they can send messages to your followers with harmful links.
• Update profile information: Once your Instagram account is compromised, the hacker changes your profile information.

Why is my Instagram account compromised?

Instagram account hacked?

You must be wondering why your Instagram account got compromised. Cybercriminals can have several motives to hack your account such as stealing data, money or influence.

According to instagram statistics, the price of a hacked Instagram account on the Dark Web was $40 in 2022.

To protect your Instagram account from getting hacked, you should be aware of certain tactics used by cybercriminals.

How Instagram accounts get hacked by using common cyberattacks

Here’s a list of common cyberattacks tactics used by hackers to get access to your Instagram account:

• Phishing & Smishing: This is a popular tactic used by hackers to get access to your account. Using this method a cybercriminal sends suspicious links on your email or through Instagram DMs with convincing narrative.
  
  The convincing nature of such scams compels users to click on harmful links or disclose their personal information.

Another popular tactic used to hack Instagram accounts is known as smishing. This tactic is used to send messages, impersonating Instagram to trap the users.

According to the Threat report 2024, such scams have affected more than 24 percent of social media users.

• Vulnerable third-party associations: Giving your account access to weak third-party applications results in getting your Instagram account compromised.

• Exploiting Weak passwords: Using weak passwords gets your Instagram account hacked easily. Hackers can easily try different password combinations and stalk your social media to guess your password.

• Data Breach: If you’ve a habit of using the same passwords for different websites or reusing old ones, your account is in danger.

In case of a security breach of any site will leak your password and details for the Instagram account.

• Spyware: Clicking on unverified suspicious links can inject spyware into your device that can detect your activity. This provides your login details to cybercriminals and eventually gets your Instagram account hacked.

• Hacked email account: Instagram and all other social platforms stress on securing accounts with two-factor authentication (2FA).

When users don’t use such security measures, they get their Instagram account hacked through compromised recovery options including email address.

Once a hacker gets access to your email address, they can use it to change login details of your account.

• Using unsecured internet connection: The use of compromised internet connections or Public Wi-Fi disclose your login details. Weak networks help cybercriminals and get your Instagram account hacked.

What do hackers do when they get into your Instagram?

Cybercriminals take the following actions after hacking an Instagram account:

• They lock you out of your account completely by changing your recovery options and login details.
• They impersonate you and send messages to your friends and followers with harmful links containing malware.
• They use your identity and scam people for money.
• They permanently delete your account, so that you cannot regain access or report them.

Can I get my hacked Instagram back?

Did you notice unusual activity on your Instagram account?

It might be possible that your Instagram account got hacked by someone.

And if so, you might be having a single question in your head, “What to do if my Instagram has been hacked?”

However, even if you get hacked you still have a slight chance to save your account.

Don’t panic and take the following action quickly, to protect Instagram account:

• Change Password immediately: If you can still access your account, be quick and change your password to a strong one.

• Use Two-factor authentication (2FA): Once you’ve changed your password, go to security settings within Instagram and turn on Two-factor authentication. This will make it difficult for the hacker to regain access to your account.

• Logout from other devices: Once you’ve turned on 2FA, logout from all the devices to ensure that the hacker loses all access.

• Inform your friends & followers: Inform your audience, so they avoid interacting with any malicious links or messages through your account.

• Remove suspicious apps: Check all the installed applications on your device to spot any suspicious one. If you spot any, uninstall it immediately.

• Scan your device: Use your device’s built-in malware scanner or install a verified one to run the security check. This will help you spot and eliminate potential malware from the device.

• Report directly to Instagram: In case you’re denied access to your account, get in touch with Instagram directly through https://www.instagram.com/hacked/

Guide on how to recover your hacked Instagram account

Your Instagram account gets hacked, and you’re continuously denied access.

Follow these steps to recover Instagram account by following these tips from Instagram Help Centre:

• Search your mail inbox for any security message from Instagram

Security messages from Instagram are sent through security@mail.instagram.com to verify any changes regarding login details.

These security alerts provide an option to revert the email or password change through ‘Secure my account’.

Once the change is reverted, you can immediately login your account and change your password.

• You can request Instagram for a login link

This will help Instagram in verifying the actual owner of the account. You can follow the procedure on both Mobile and desktop:

1. Click on ‘Forget Password’, beneath the login details section on Instagram login page.
2. Ask for the login link once you’ve given the phone number, username or email account associated with your Instagram account.
3. Once you receive a captcha, fill it properly to verify that you’re a human.
4. Click on the login link that you will receive through the phone number or email you provided. Instagram will then prompt you further on how to recover Instagram account.

• You can request Instagram for a security code

If you aren’t able to regain access to your Instagram account through the login link, request Instagram for a security code.

This security option will be effective if you’ve already set a Two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account.

You can ask for this security code through your mobile devices.

1. Choose the ‘Forget Password’ option on IOS, or
2. Choose the ‘Get help logging in’ option on Android devices.

Once you click, Instagram will send you a security code through your phone number or associated authenticator app.

This will let you regain access to your Instagram account.

• You might need to verify your identity

If you are denied access even after all the methods mentioned earlier, then you can ask for Instagram support.

This method will require your proper identity verification through submitting ID documents or video selfies.

Instagram will ask you to submit a video selfie, only if you’ve your pictures on the account. The social platform can verify you easily through this method and recover your hacked Instagram account. 

You can submit a secure email account to Instagram to receive notifications regarding the verification.

• You can request Meta for support

Meta has launched the Accounts center where you can link multiple accounts, such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

You can request Meta for support if you’ve a Facebook business account associated with your hacked Instagram account.

Asking for support through the Accounts center can resolve the issue in less time than other Instagram support options.

You can set up Two-factor authentication (2FA) or change your password and recovery options as well.

Protect Instagram account from getting hacked

In this era of security and data breach occurring every other second, your social accounts should be protected from hackers.

Since Prevention is always better than cure, here’s how you secure your Instagram account from getting hacked:

• Restrict Third-party applications: We’ve seen third parties associated with our social media accounts being the weakest link. Limiting access to unverified third-party apps can protect Instagram accounts.

• Don’t share everything: Social media platforms are vulnerable to cyberattacks. Sharing every little detail about your life can be a risk.

• Turn-on two-factor authentication (2FA): Turning on 2 Factor Authentication will help you in securing your Instagram account.

• Report suspicious behavior: If you feel any unusual activity happening with your Instagram account, report it immediately.

• Use strong passwords: Strong and unique passwords with a combination of different alphabetical, numerical or special characters will protect your account from hackers. You can also use a reliable password manager to remember them.

• Enable Auto-save: Using Instagram’s auto-save feature will save all your Instagram photos to your camera roll, so that you don’t lose them.

• Avoid suspicious links: To avoid becoming a prey to phishing or smishing scams, avoid interacting with suspicious links.

• Always check security alerts: Make a habit of checking every security message from Instagram. This will help you in reporting suspicious login attempts and protect your Instagram account from getting hacked.

• Monitor Dark web: Use a verified service that monitors dark web and informs you about the exposure of your sensitive information.

Beware of cyberattacks and secure your socials

A hacked Instagram account can negatively affect your reputation.

Don’t want your Instagram account hacked?

Use the best security methods provided by the platform and protect Instagram account with 2FA and Passkeys.

Remember to act fast in case of a breach and always report suspicious behavior!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What if someone hacked my Instagram and changed my email?

If your email on Instagram gets changed out of the blue, your Instagram account probably got hacked. However, there are still certain steps you can take to protect it, such as:

• Check your mail inbox for a security email from Instagram, through security@mail.instagram.com. Instagram always notify the user through their original recovery email address regarding a change with links to revert it.
• The Instagram platform also provides in-app recovery tools for compromised accounts. You can use the “Forgot Password” feature to access the account through username or phone number.
• To make sure that you’re the Instagram account owner, the platform will ask for your ID or use video selfie.

Q. How common is it for Instagram accounts to get hacked?

Instagram is a widely used platform with more than 2 billion users. It is also considered as a platform that is vulnerable to cyberattacks due to its popularity.

Hackers are always looking for weak passwords or leaked credentials to hack an Instagram account. Everyday Instagram accounts get compromised due to a popular cyberattack, known as phishing.

Q. What is phishing on Instagram?

According to Instagram Help Centre, Phishing  is a type of cyberattack tactic used to hack an Instagram account. According to this tactic, a cybercriminal sends suspicious messages or links to an Instagram user.

The messages are crafted using convincing personal information that leads the user to click on the link. Once the user clicks on the links or gives away sensitive login credentials their Instagram account gets hacked.

Q. What is unusual activity on Instagram?

Unusual activity on Instagram is mostly linked to suspicious behaviors that are not linked to the original owner of the account. These behaviors generally show signs that your Instagram account is hacked.

Signs that show unusual activity on your Instagram account:

• You get notified about someone trying to login to your account.
• Your recent Instagram activity includes mass liking, messaging or following other accounts.
• Your password gets changed without your request or consent.

Q. Is an Instagram suspicious login attempt real?

Yes, it’s a real security alert from Instagram. An Instagram user receives this suspicious login security alert on two bases:

1. If the original owner signed into their Instagram account from a new device. This is to ensure that the owner is accessing it.
2. Instagram sends this alert when someone else is trying to login to your account through your password. Once you click on the “This wasn’t me” link, you will be prompted to secure your account accordingly.