Also, how can it be avoided in the future?
Instagram is a social media platform where you can share photos of yourself or your friends and family. In any case, losing access to that as a result of a compromised account can be incredibly inconvenient.
Instagram is also widely used as a key social media platform for many people. As a result, in addition to your shared images, you risk losing all of your contacts. If you use Instagram for business purposes, such as selling your own brand or company, the loss can be even more noticeable.
Here’s how to recover a compromised Instagram account, as well as some steps you can take to keep it from happening again.
How Will Your Instagram Account Be Hacked?
In most cases, gaining access to your Instagram account is difficult. Only if the hacker obtains your contact information, such as your email address, phone number, and password, is this possible. They can obtain those in a variety of ways.
The most noticeable is a password that is too easy to guess. If you use a password that is obvious or weak, a hacker will be able to guess it. If you use the same login credentials for multiple services, a hacker can be able to obtain your information from a different platform. Since password breaches are so popular, it’s a good idea to check whether you’ve been hacked on a regular basis, even if you don’t see any indications.
A phishing attempt is another common way for scammers to obtain your personal information. You click on a connection sent to you via email or elsewhere, enter your username and password, and your information is sent to a hacker. Before entering your details, make sure you’re on the correct domain. It’s www.instagram.com for Instagram.
What Are the Signs That You’ve Been Hacked?
Scammers will usually change your email and phone number, as well as your username, once they have your Instagram details. The next move is to demand a ransom for your Instagram account to be returned to you.
Unfortunately, even though you consent to pay the fee, there’s a good chance your Instagram account would be deleted regardless.
How To Recover An Instagram Account That Has Been Hacked
First step is to act quick. According to Instagram, after 14 weeks from the time you lose access to your account, it becomes almost impossible to restore it.
Follow the steps below to restore your compromised Instagram account if you find you’ve been logged out and can’t seem to log back in.
Using Email, Recover Your Hacked Instagram Account
Check your inbox for an Instagram post. If your account was compromised, you’ll get a new email alerting you to unusual activity or changes to your account information.
You might be able to reverse this change if you act quickly enough using the connection given in that email. After that, sign into your Instagram account and update your password. If that fails, move on to the next level.
Instagram will give you a login link if you ask for it.
If you still can’t log in to Instagram, you can request that a login connection be sent to your email address or phone number.
- Go to Instagram’s sign-in tab.
- Forgot your password? (iOS) or Need help logging in? (Android).
- You will then be guided to the Trouble Logging In? (iOS) or Login Support (Android) pages.
- To get the link, enter your email address or phone number and then press Send Login Link (iOS) or Next (Android).
You can access your Instagram account by clicking the login link in an email or SMS message from Instagram. When you log back in, make sure you change your password.
With a Security Code, You Can Recover Your Instagram Account
If the login connection method fails, you can use a security code to restore your hacked Instagram account.
- Click Forgot password? (iOS) or Get help with signing in on the Instagram login page (Android).
- Press Need More Help? at the bottom of the next screen.
- Choose an email address or a phone number where you’d like Instagram to send you the security code. Then press the Send Security Code button.
- Enter the code from the message on the next screen and press Confirm.
Instagram should be notified about the hacked account.
If all else fails, your last resort is to report your account and contact Instagram for assistance in regaining access to your account.
To do so, go to the screen that says “Help Us Recover Your Account. Instead of requesting the security code, choose I can’t access this email or phone number this time.
Fill out the form on the next page with your account details, pick My account got hacked, and then press Request Support.
Verify Your Personal Information
You’ll be asked to check your identity when you hear from Instagram. Taking an Instagram selfie is one way to do it.
You’ll receive a code from the website, and you’ll need to photograph yourself holding a piece of paper with the code written on it. The staff would then compare the photo to your mutual images to see if you are the account’s legitimate owner.
How Do You Keep Your Instagram Account Safe?
Taking the following security precautions is the safest way to keep your Instagram account secure from hackers.
Use a strong password that you change on a regular basis.
Using a solid, unique password for your Instagram account will go a long way toward preventing scammers from gaining access to your account information. If you have trouble recalling login information for various networks, use a password manager.
On Instagram, allow two-factor authentication.
Adding two-factor authentication to your account would make it more secure. After you turn it on, you’ll be prompted to enter a security code sent to your phone number in addition to your Instagram password when you log in.
Access to third-party apps should be revoked.
Make sure you don’t have access to your account details if you’ve ever used Instagram to log into third-party applications or websites you don’t use anymore.
Follow the path Menu > Settings > Security > Apps and websites to check those apps.
Make it difficult to hack your Instagram account.
It can be extremely difficult and inconvenient to recover your accounts after scammers have gained access to them. Preventative steps to defend your sensitive accounts are a more reliable way to protect yourself from hackers.
Has your Instagram account ever been hacked? What method did you use to reclaim your access? Let us know how much you know about Instagram in the comments section below
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