Instagram is a powerful and exciting social network. Over the past few years, the app has gained features like stories, login actions, highlights, reels, music, filters, and more, which has made many of us stick with the app for a long time. The app has over 500 million daily active users and with such a large user base, it has also become an easy vulnerability for hackers around the world.
From time to time, we hear about accounts (including those of some celebrities) being hacked or misused by someone else. The platform has also become an attractive phishing destination for many. If your Instagram account was recently hacked or you just lost control of the app, in this article, we’ll look at a few ways to get your Instagram account back. And besides, we will also give you some tips to secure your Instagram account so that your account stays safe.
If you think your account has been hacked or hijacked, there are several steps you can take to regain access. In some cases, you will receive an email from security@mail.instagram.com informing you that your email address has been changed. You can undo this change by choosing to undo this change in this message. If your password has been changed and you are unable to change your email address, you can use the methods below.
How to recover a hacked Instagram account by asking for a login link
In this method, you need to confirm to Instagram that you are the owner of the account, you can request a login link to your email address or phone number by following these steps.
- On the login screen, tap Get help signing in (Android) or Forgot your password? (iPhone)
- Enter the username, email address, or phone number associated with your account.
- Click next.
- Choose your email address or phone number
- Then click “Submit Login Link”.
- You will receive a login link to your email address or phone number.
- Click the login link in your email or SMS and follow the instructions on the screen.
Note. If you don’t remember the username, email address, or phone number associated with your account, click Need more help? under the “Next”button (step 3) and follow the instructions on the screen.
How to recover a hacked Instagram account by asking for a security code
If you are unable to recover your Instagram account using the login link, you can request Instagram support. Here are the steps you can follow:
- Go to login screen
- Click “Help me sign in”(below “Sign in”).
- Enter the username, email address, or phone number associated with your account.
- Click Need more help?
- Follow the instructions on the screen
- Choose your email address or phone number
- Then click Send security code.
- If you didn’t receive a security code, tap I can’t access this email address or phone number below. Submit the security code, then follow the on-screen instructions to recover your account.
Note. If you have multiple Instagram accounts, you may need to first select the account you’re having trouble signing into and then follow the on-screen instructions. (at step 3)
How to recover a hacked Instagram account by verifying your identity
This is handy when your Instagram account has photos without you and you’ve submitted a support request. In this case, firstly, you will receive an automatic response email from Meta Support. You will then be asked to help verify your identity by providing the email address or phone number you registered with and the type of device you used during registration, such as iPhone, iPad, Android, PC, etc.
You will then be asked to take a video selfie of you turning your head in different directions to help Instagram verify that you are a real person and confirm your identity. Once the video has been submitted, you will receive an email from Instagram. If the verification fails, you can submit a new video and Instagram will view it again.
Instagram informs you that the video you sent will be removed within 30 days. The company says it will use video selfies to verify that you are a real person and can confirm through human verification that you are eligible to recover your account.
Instagram Account Security Tips
Use two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication or 2FA is an additional security feature that helps protect your Instagram account and your password. If you have set up two-factor authentication, you will receive an SMS after entering your password. Only if the special login code is confirmed will you log into your Instagram account.
After you enter your username and password, you will be prompted to enter a security code.
This way, your account will be more secure, and when someone tries to log into your account from a device that we don’t recognize, they won’t be able to log in without a code. Here is how you can set up 2FA on Instagram.
- Open Instagram > Click on your profile photo in the bottom right corner.
- Tap more options in the top right corner.
- Click “Settings”.
- Click Security, then click Two-Factor Authentication.
- Click “Get Started”at the bottom.
- Select the security method you want to add
- Follow the instructions on the screen
Change your password every six months
While this may seem like a very simple way to keep your account secure, we often forget to change passwords because it’s an extra thing to remember next time. However, this is a very convenient way to keep your account secure, and the combination of alphanumeric characters and special characters in your password will make your account less vulnerable to hacking.
Verify your phone number and email address in your account settings
If you haven’t already, verify your phone number and email address and link them to your account. If something goes wrong in the future, your email address and associated phone number will come to your rescue.
- Go to settings
- Click on account
- Select personal information
- Verify your phone number and email address
Revoke access to other third-party apps and sites
There are many apps and websites where you will need to use your Instagram and login details to access the app/website. While not all of them are malicious, some of them may misuse your data, or a specific website or application may leak your data such as ID and password, so you can revoke access to such applications and services by visiting this web page.
These were some of the best ways to protect your account from being hacked. By following these four guidelines, you will be able to protect your account from easy hacking.