Getting locked out of an Instagram account can make anyone panic. And I’ve experienced it.
Earlier this year, a close friend of mine’s Instagram account was hacked. The scammers closed their accounts, reset the password, and began tricking their followers into crypto scams. It was such a terrible dream. It took several weeks to resolve
How to Recover a Hacked Instagram Account: Step-by-step Guide
Unfortunately, the incidents of Instagram hacking have been increasing every year since 2016.
In 2022, more than one million social media account hacking cases were reported – and 85% of those victims said their Instagram account was hacked.
A hacked Instagram account isn’t just a problem. If fraudsters gain access to your account, they can steal your personal information, defraud others in your name, or defraud your friends and family. And if your business or company account is hacked, you may also face financial loss.
If you are unable to log in to your account or think it has been hacked, follow these steps immediately
How to Recover a Hacked Instagram Account: Step-by-step Guide
How do you know if your Instagram account has been hacked?
The most obvious sign of an Instagram account being hacked is that your login and password aren’t working.
If this is happening, it means that someone has gained access to your account and kicked you out. You need to follow the steps below to get your account back.
Sometimes, fraudsters don’t want you to know that your account has been hacked.
In such a case, there are some signs that you may know that someone else is using your account:
1. you’ve received a password reset email that you didn’t send.
If you receive such an email, it means that someone else is trying to access your account.This can be even more dangerous if they’ve also hacked into your email account.
2. Your email account has been changed.
If you get an email from Instagram that your email has been changed, your account has been hacked.
Don’t ignore the message to change the email, but reject the change immediately
3. You receive an alert of “Suspicious login attempt
Instagram automatically identifies suspicious logins. You can check the login activity.
4. Suspicious posts or messages are being sent from your account.
If your followers complain that they are receiving spam messages or posts from your account, your account may have been hacked.
5. Your profile has been changed
Hackers can change your bio, profile picture, or other account details
6. Your followers are dwindling.
Hackers sometimes block or remove your followers.
These are signs that someone else is using your account.
Steps to recover a hacked Instagram account.
If your account has been hacked, follow these steps:
1. Use Instagram’s password reset feature.
Try to reset the password. If the hackers don’t change your password, you can get it back.
2. Get in touch with Instagram Support.
If you can’t log in, click “Need more help?” Select the option and ask for help directly from Instagram.
3. Confirm their identity.
Instagram may ask you for a selfie video or other documents to confirm your identity. Complete the process to get your account back.
4. Check the settings of the account.
If you get a chance to log in again, check your settings right away.
Check to see if your email or phone number has changed.
• Verify that no new accounts have been linked to you.
5. Remove the third-party apps
Hackers often use third-party apps. Go to your Settings and remove the apps that you don’t approve.
6. Strengthen the password.
Create a new and strong password that is difficult to guess.
Tips on how to protect your Instagram account.
Take Precautions to Avoid Hacking:
1. Enable two-factor authentication.
This prevents hackers from gaining access to your account. Go to the Instagram Settings and enable it.
2. Avoid suspicious e-mails and links.
Never click on suspicious e-mails or links that claim to be from Instagram.
3. Make use of a strong password.
Create a password that is a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.
4. Check the activity regularly.
Check the login activity by going to the settings of Instagram and deleting the irrelevant logins.
5. be careful when using third-party apps.
Only link to trusted apps on Instagram.
The result
Getting an Instagram account hacked can be a frustrating experience, but by taking the right steps and precautions, you can keep your account safe. If your account has been hacked, contact Instagram immediately and follow the tips above to protect yourself.
