Strange headline, we know, but hear us out. Instagram account hacks have become more rampant as the years go by. From a snap survey of people who had reported their social media accounts hacked, 85% of them said it was their Instagram account.
Losing access to your Instagram account can lead a lot of people to panic, and it’s understandable. The hackers can use all your data for identity theft, scam your friends and followers, and destroy your online image. This damage is worse when it is a business or influencer account, causing you to lose a lot of money.
Recovering a hacked Instagram account can be stressful, so it’s best to avoid hacking attempts in the first place. You have to know how hackers work to do that, which is why we’re here.
How Do Cybercriminals Hack Instagram Accounts?
Cybercriminals can apply a few different techniques to hack your account. Here are a few of them.
Phishing
Hackers can send you messages claiming to be legitimate individuals like technical support accounts. This could be through email, other messaging apps, or even Instagram.
They may claim to be Instagram workers trying to get you a verified badge or claim you committed a copyright violation. Their messages would contain links to websites for you to input your username and password to rectify the situation.
This information would give them access to your Instagram account.
Third-party apps
Hackers may use certain third-party apps that claim to give you access to certain appealing features on Instagram. Maybe the ability to view and download Instagram Stories anonymously, or tell you which users just unfollowed you.
They may be capable of all they claim, but first, you’d have to grant them access to your Instagram account. If they are malicious, they can wreak a lot of havoc.
Malware
Some malware can gain access to the information on your device. You can get them by downloading apps from unsafe sources, or clicking unknown links. These actions can let some malware into your device and your Instagram account.
To prevent your Instagram account from being hacked, be cautious. Don’t click on suspicious links, or download from untrusted sources.
How to Get Back a Hacked Instagram Account
If your Instagram account has been hacked, there are a few ways to regain access to it.
- Check for an email from Instagram: Instagram sends you an email when someone changes your password. By clicking “secure my account,” you can revert this change.
Look for any emails from [email protected]. Ensure to check your junk or spam folders if you can’t find it.
- Request a login link: This link helps prove you’re the account owner.
On Android: Open your Instagram app. Tap on “Get help logging in” and follow the directions.
On iOS: Open the Instagram app. Select “Forgot password?” and continue from there.
You can choose to send this link to your email or phone number, so pick the one you find most convenient.
If you don’t have access to both your email and phone number, you can try more advanced methods like requesting a security code. Instagram may even make you take a video selfie to authenticate your request.
The process might be a hassle, but if you follow their instructions, you’ll retrieve your account in no time.
