Suppose your Instagram account is hacked – what will you do now?
Having your Instagram account hacked may be a terrifying experience, especially if your livelihood depends on it for sales and lead generation.
Unfortunately, if your account is not properly secured, hackers can get into it in less than ten minutes.
So, how can you keep your Instagram account safe from computer science assignment help hackers?
A powerful offence, after all, is the most excellent defence!
I’ll show you a few strategies to keep your Instagram account safe, as well as what to do if your account is hacked.
How to Protect Your Instagram Account from Hackers?
Step 1 – Pick a strong password
Hacking and phishing attempts are increasing as more people create Instagram accounts.
And who is the biggest culprit? A weak password.
For added security, Victor Gevers, a security researcher at the GDI Foundation, recommends using an auto-generated password and a password manager.
“You don’t want to go to the trouble of attempting to recall it yourself,” Gevers explains. “Password managers let you access your passwords from a desktop computer, a mobile phone, or even while you’re not connected to the Internet.”
It’s also a good idea to use a different password for each account, as this makes it more difficult for hackers to access all of your data.
Once you’ve come up with a possible password, run it via How Secure Is My Password for a final check to see whether it’s strong enough to withstand a hacking attempt.
Tip – Verify the veracity of emails (the sender’s name, email address, and URL they link to) and never give your password to someone you don’t know or trust to avoid phishing attacks.
Step 2 – Turn on two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication provides an extra degree of protection against hackers.
How does it function? It’s a multi-step process that needs consumers to utilise a security code to prove their identity. For example, if you try to log into Instagram from an unidentified device, you’ll be asked to input the code and prove your identity.
Go to Settings and touch “Two-Factor Authentication” to enable two-factor authentication in Instagram.
When you tap “Get Started,” you’ll be given two options: “Authentication App (preferred)” and “Text Message.”
Option 1 – Authentication App
A third-party authentication app is the “Authentication App (recommended)” option.
If you have an authentication app installed, Instagram will detect it and issue you a code. Two-factor authentication will be enabled after you retrieve the code and enter it on Instagram.
If you don’t already have one, Instagram will suggest one for you to download before you finish the procedure.
Option 2 – Text Message
You’ll be asked to enter a phone number if your account doesn’t have one. Tap the “Next” button once you’ve entered your phone number.
When you log into Instagram from an unfamiliar device, you’ll be asked to provide a security code that you’ll receive by SMS.
Step 3 – Make sure your email account is secure
Consider this: your Instagram account, as well as many others, are linked to your email address. So anyone who has access to one has access to all. It’s pretty frightening.
According to a recent survey, 22% of Internet users believe their online accounts have been hacked at least once, with 14% saying they had been hacked multiple times.
With this in mind, using two-factor authentication or email encryption to secure your email is a good idea. These simple deterrents might go a long way toward keeping hackers out of your Instagram account.
Step 4 – Revoke access to suspicious third-party apps
Instagram is frequently used to sign in to third-party programmes such as dating services, gaming, and picture editing software.
Third-party apps may have access to your social media profile and account information even if you haven’t used them in years.
And if their database is targeted, your information is at risk. As a result, Instagram advises users to “consider before authorising a third-party app.”
Open your Instagram profile on your desktop computer, select the settings icon, and click “Apps and Website” to adjust your third-party apps.
A list of apps to which you’ve granted access may be found here. If you come across any dubious apps, simply click “Revoke Access” or “View and Edit.”
How to Recover a Hacked Instagram Account?
If you think that your Instagram account has been compromised, you need to take action as soon as possible.
Step 1 – Check your email to get a message from Instagram
If you get a mail from Instagram which informs you that your Instagram email address has been changed, you can undo this by clicking the “revert this change” option.
Step 2 – Request a Login Link from Instagram
If information like your password has been changed, you can request Instagram for a link to log in.
Here’s how you can do that –
- For android – Tap “Get help logging in” – “Login help”- Next
- For iOS – Tap “Forgot password”- “Trouble logging in” – Send Login link
Once you have completed the process, you need to put in a secure email address. After submitting your request, wait for an email from Instagram for further instructions.
Step 3 – Request support or a security code from Instagram
If you failed to get back your Instagram account after following the above steps, you must report that your Instagram account has been hacked.
So, click on the “Help us recover your account” and select the “I can’t access this email or phone number” option on your screen.
After that, you have to fill up a form with your account details. Then, click on “My account was hacked” and tap on “Request support.”
After submitting your request, you will get an auto-response email from Instagram’s security team. They will ask you to verify your identity. Here’s how –
- You have to provide your photo where you need to hold a paper with the written code Instagram has sent you.
- You have to provide your phone number and email address you use for signing up and the type of the device.
Parting words,
Instagram is well aware that its social media network is vulnerable to hackers and people who create bogus accounts, so they’ve implemented additional procedures to help prevent this.
Even if you haven’t been hacked yet, these tips can help you stay safe in the future.
Author Bio
Alex Wilson is a renowned Digital Marketer and copywriter. He is also associated with Essayassignmenthelp.com.au, through which Alex provides engineering assignment help to students worldwide. In addition, Alex loves to play basketball in his spare time.
