Hack on Instagram? Here's how to get your account back.

deep breath. You can recover hacked account on Instagram. How to do it - and protect your profile from hackers.

There's a new kind of Instagram takeover these days - and it's not something you'll ever want to try. Since October, the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) has seen a sharp rise in the number of people hacked on Instagram and losing control of their accounts. A similar warning was issued at the end of 2021 by a division within the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.

Although Instagram accounts are sometimes hacked by someone you know as IRL (say a former one), most hackers are cybercriminals. What's in it for them? "They will post a link that they hope your friends will click on," says Samuel Mulder, PhD, an associate research professor at the Auburn Cyber ​​Research Center in Alabama. "The link may contain malware [malicious software] that they use to steal data and sell it."

According to the ITRC, posts with links to fake bitcoin investments are the latest online scams used by these cyber villains. (They are of no use on Facebook either, so learn how to recover a hacked Facebook account.) Taking precautionary measures to ensure your online security is easier than dealing with the consequences.

Fortunately for you, we've got the details on how to protect your account and what to do in case of hacking on Instagram. While you're at it, learn how to tell if your computer has been hacked and how to tell if someone has blocked you on Instagram, plus answer your burning question. Also get: Can you see who sees your Instagram profile?

Reasons why you were hacked on Instagram

Data breaches are often the root of your Instagram worries. If the less secure online store than Instagram - maybe the cute little shop from which you bought gifts during the holidays - is compromised, then hackers can seize the email and password that you use on this site. Use on

"Because people tend to re-use passwords, there's a strong possibility that the password you used for the online retailer is the same as the password for Instagram," says Mulder. (And that's just the tip of the iceberg: there are more dangerous things hackers can do when they have your email address.) Hackers use programs to plug in passwords, and so on. By the way, you get hacked on Instagram. Lesson learned: Don't reuse passwords, and definitely choose good passwords to get started.

When you click on a link in the message, your account may be compromised. Doing so could lead to malware being installed on your device or redirecting you to a fake Instagram login page, where you entered your credentials. Fake ads can also be a problem, so make sure you know the signs that Instagram ads can't be trusted.

Less likely way: The person you used to be friends with knows your Instagram password and just logs in to spy on you. You may have blocked them on Instagram or set up your account privately. If they are one of your followers, they will want to see what you are posting only to friends in your immediate circle.

No matter what the cause of the hack, you need to act fast.

Are there any signs that your Instagram has been hacked?

If a cybercriminal hacks your Instagram, it will become clear. Your first tip might be to text a friend about something immoral, such as a bitcoin deal, that was posted to your account. Or when you open your Instagram app and you are prompted to enter your password, you may feel something is wrong. If your password doesn't work, the hacker may have changed it, and locked you out of your account. In the worst case scenario, your account may disappear simply because a hacker deleted it.

On the other hand, if you have a former culprit, you may not know anything yet. In fact, in order for you to continue spying, hackers will not do anything that looks suspicious. You can do some sleuthing, though: tap the three-line stack in the upper right corner of your profile, then tap "Your Activity." From there, you can review data such as time spent on the app, your favorite posts, the comments you've made, and the links you've visited to make sure anything is normal. Is not out

If you have enabled notifications from unrecognized logins, Instagram will notify you that someone has logged into your account from an unexpected place. But don't worry about every notification: if you're logging in from somewhere else, you might get one (say you're using Wi-Fi on your vacation rental) or have a satellite Wi-Fi connection. And on that note, check out the places where you should never use free Wi-Fi.

How To Recover Your Hacked Instagram Account

At the first sign of your being hacked on Instagram, you need to act fast. You can try to find the phone number of Instagram; by the way it is 650-543-4800; but since it is fully automated, you are better off following the plan given below. If you still have access to your account, change your password immediately, Moulder advises. Locked out? Then follow these steps:

1. Check your email.

Be sure to log in to the email account you used when setting up your Instagram. Find a message from [email protected] This may alert you that someone has logged into the account and changed your email address. By selecting "Undo this change" in the message, you may be able to reset the account and log in to your original email.

Of course, before you click on any such link, make sure you know what phishing is and how to find phishing emails. The last thing you want is to stumble upon a fake Instagram email and invite malware into your computer.

2. Request a login link.

If you are not lucky in the first stage, ask to email from Instagram or send you login link. If you have an Android phone, tap "Get help logging in". On the iPhone, "Forgot Password?" Tap on

Enter the username, email address and phone number associated with your account. Select your email address or phone number and tap "Send login link". Once you find the link, click on it and follow the instructions.

If you're not sure about the email address and / or phone number you used for the account, tap "Need more help" and follow the instructions.

3. Request a security code.

If the login link does not work, the next step is to request a security code. Enter the username, email address, or phone number associated with your account, then "Need more help?" Tap on Select your email address or phone number, then tap "Send Security Code" and follow the instructions.

4. Confirm your identity.

For further assistance, or if a hacker has completely deleted your account, you will need to provide some additional information. If you have photos in your hacked account, you will be asked to take a video selfie to confirm that you are what you say you are.

The review process usually takes two business days. If you pass the review, you will receive a link to reset your password. Don't worry, the video selfie will never be posted on your Instagram and will be deleted within 30 days.

How to prevent your Instagram account from being hacked.

As you can tell, being hacked on Instagram is a big worry. "Fortunately, you can quickly increase the security of your account, so hackers get annoyed when they try to break," says Mulder. Take the following three steps to make sure your account is as secure as it can be.

1. Change your password.

Not only should you change your password as soon as possible but you should also strengthen it. Leave out any passwords you use on other sites. Instead of a word, the molder suggests a sentence or phrases that are difficult to hack. So if you were considering "Swiftie0708", choose "Taylorswiftismyjam" instead. Better yet, change some characters for numbers and symbols: "[email protected] [email protected]"

Make sure it doesn't appear in the list of passwords or follow a format that makes it easy for hackers to guess, such as using random numbers or simple phrases like "qwerty". Worried that you will forget a complex login? Molder recommends installing a password manager, which will contain all your complex passwords and requires only a master password for access.

2. Enable two-factor authentication.

When it comes to your online security, it's important to know what two-factor authentication is. This security feature ensures that you need more than a password to access your account.

After entering your password, Instagram will send you a security code, or you will receive a third-party verification app, such as Duo Mobile or Google Authenticator.

3. Don't share your password with anyone.

Suppose you are at your partner's house and you feel like you have forgotten your phone. You want to check your Instagram, so you ask if they can put your information into their phone right now. Fast forward to three months, and your partner is now your ex. They know your password and are tempted to use it to track you.

Story Ethics: If you ever feel so compelled to enter your password, change it at the first opportunity.

Now that you know what to do if you get hacked on Instagram and ways to make your account more secure, it's time to take a look at other cybersecurity issues including spyware and docking. Let me know The more you know, the less likely you are to fall victim to hackers.