Apart from being an interactive social media platform, Instagram is also used for online jobs. One thing that makes it a valuable platform is the challenges associated with finding and maintaining your followers. However, when you apply the required basics in opening and running an account, you will naturally gain followers to promote your business.
Hackers are able to gain access to an Instagram account using mundane methods, the most common of which is by guessing a user’s password. Certain password cracking software, such as Hachcat and John the Ripper, can be used to expedite the process. Two-factor authentication limits these techniques.
Nowadays, it is possible to buy as many followers as you want to avoid the long process of having organic followers. The more the number of followers you have, the more the people who will come across your advertised products and services, and the more money you will generate. For celebrities, Instagram is one of the platforms they use to interact with their fans and keep them updated on their current happenings. Instagram is also a source of employment for some people since celebrities pay them to manage them. Therefore, it is tough to underestimate the platform.
Due to all these, hackers tend to try their level best to access the accounts without the owner’s permission. Hacking is the gaining of unauthorized access to data in a computer or system. Though Instagram has its security policies, hackers still manage to make through. The hackers are motivated by easy passwords set by the users of the accounts, ability to make some money from the fraud; for instance, a hacker will hack your Instagram account and ask for a ransom to give you back the account.
Though Instagram accounts are opened at no cost, losing an account will always cost you a lot. For prominent brand ambassadors, losing an account means losing their jobs since they are based online. The following article has dealt with how Instagram accounts are hacked and the best methods you can use to ensure yours is not hacked.
How cybercriminals hack Instagram
To access your Instagram account, a hacker might offer a site where you can enter your Instagram credentials to access it. Once you have left the credentials there, a hacker easily accesses all your data from there.
Another method hackers use the use of weak emails. Since your Instagram account is linked to your email, a hacker can access the email and access your account by using a vulnerable email. They later change the credentials of your account, making you lose it.
However, this could be prevented by the use of stronger passwords on all your online platforms.
How to tell when your Instagram account is hacked
Some minor details can show you whether your account is in the hands of hackers or not. They include:
– When you make out that you are unable to recognize the profiles you might be following.
– Presence of images you have not uploaded to your account.
– You cannot wholly access your account, even when you are sure that the credentials you are using are correct.
Getting your Instagram account back
Instagram makes a good target for hackers since it is used by over one billion users every month. When you notice something weird happening to your Instagram account, you are supposed to revoke access to any suspicious third-party apps, change the password you used before to a new one, and enable two-factor authentication.
You will receive a confirmation letter when a person attempts to change your Instagram email or password. By reverting this change, you prevent the attacker from taking over your Instagram profile.
To have your stolen account back, you must tap Get help signing in while using an Android smartphone or Forgot password in iOS. Then, on the login screen, follow all the instructions kept. If you can still recover your account, you should report this issue to Instagram and verify your identity once they have contacted you.
Tips to safeguard your Instagram account from hackers
Securing your Instagram account is the best way to ensure you are not hacked. You should always try your best to avoid being a target to hackers. The following are some of the essential tips you are supposed to observe to be safe from hackers.
1. Use a strong password
More phishing and hacking attempts continue to occur as more users create Instagram accounts. One of the primary reasons your account will be hacked is a weak password. To protect your Instagram account from hacking attempts, you should use an auto-generated password and a password manager for firm protection. Using the password managers will allow you to access your passwords on a mobile phone, desktop computer, even when you are not connected to the internet.
Also, it is a good idea to use a unique password for each of your Instagram accounts since it makes it harder for hackers to gain access to your information. Another blunder most people make, which makes it easy for hackers, is using a similar password on all their platforms. This is a risky move since a hacker will only need to know a single password to have all your information.
For a final check of the strength of your password, you should plug it into How Secure Is My Password for a final inspection. By doing this, you will quickly know whether your password is strong enough to withstand hacking attempts.
2. Turn on the Two-Factor Authentication
The role of two-factor authentication is to add a layer of defense against hacking attempts. Two-factor authentication is a multi-step process that requires users to verify their identity using a security code. For example, when you log into Instagram using an unrecognized device, you will automatically be prompted to enter the code for confirmation that it is you.
The two-factor authentication is turned on by heading to the settings and turning “Two-Factor Authentication” on. The next step will be to tap “Get Started,” and you will be given two options to select from; Authentication App and Text Message.
Authentication App
It is a recommended third-party authentication app that Instagram sends a code to when you have the app installed on your phone. You are supposed to retrieve the sent code, enter it on Instagram, and the two-factor authentication code will turn on.
When you have not installed the authentication app, Instagram will direct you on downloading one before you have completed the process.
Text Message
If your account does not have a real phone number, you will be asked to enter a phone number. Tap the “Next” button once you have entered the phone number.
You will be prompted to enter a security code you receive by text message once you log into your Instagram account from an unknown device.
3. Make sure your email account is secure
Since you link your email to most of your accounts, they can access all your stuff if one access it. Having an email account with a strong password is the best way to avoid such occurrences. Also, the email should be secured with two-factor authentication or email encryption.
How to regain your hacked Instagram account
The following are steps you should take when you suspect that your Instagram account has been hacked.
1. Check whether Instagram has sent a message to your email
A message from security@mail.instagram.com lets you know that your email has been changed. The change can be undone by using the “revert this change” option in the message sent.
2. Request login link from Instagram
A login link from Instagram should be requested if additional info, such as your password, was changed.
3. Request a security code
You can report a hacked Instagram account if you are unable to recover your Instagram account. You should tap the “Help Us Recover Your Account,” and instead of asking for the security code, you should select “I can’t access this email or phone number.”
On the other page, you are supposed to fill in the form with all your account details and select “My account was hacked,” and tap “Request Support.”
After submitting your request, you are supposed to receive an auto-response email from Instagram’s security team asking you to verify your identity. The following will be requested:
– A photo of yourself holding a piece of paper with a handwritten code provided by Instagram.
– The phone number or email address you signed up with and the device you used when signing up.
Why do hackers want your Instagram account?
With over a billion users worldwide, Instagram is considered the king of social media. However, cybercriminals are not only targeting the famous and rich but from ordinary folks too. The hackers mainly target the accounts that are used to direct leads for a business organization. The leads are directed elsewhere; hence, clients get the same services from elsewhere using your Instagram account.
Also, hackers are always in pursuit of the accounts to use them to do other cybercrimes on the internet using your name as in the account hacked. It is not a new thing to find out that crimes have been executed using hacked accounts.
Conclusion
With the continued number of hacking cases, you can avoid being a victim by ensuring you have strong passwords in the Instagram account you use. Failure to do so makes you an easy target for cybercrime activities.
