Getting hacked on Instagram can be frustrating and stressful, especially if you lose access to your account or the hacker misuses your profile. Hackers often change your password, email, or phone number, making it difficult to regain control. They may also post spam, scams, or inappropriate content, damaging your reputation. If this happens, you must act quickly to recover your account and secure your information.
Signs Your Instagram Account Has Been Hacked
- Unusual Activity – You notice posts, comments, or messages that you didn’t create.
- Login Issues – Your password doesn’t work, and you can’t log in.
- Changed Email or Phone Number – Instagram notifies you that your email or phone number has been updated without your permission.
- New Devices Logged In – Your account shows logins from unknown locations or devices.
- Missing Account Information – Your username, bio, or profile picture has been changed.
Steps to Recover Your Hacked Instagram Account
- Try Logging In
- Open Instagram and enter your username and password.
- If the hacker changed your password, click “Forgot password?” and follow the prompts to reset it using your email or phone number.
- Check Your Email
- If the hacker changed your email, Instagram should have sent a message to your original email.
- Look for an email with the subject “Your email was changed” and click “Secure your account here” to reverse the change.
- Request a Login Link
- On the Instagram login screen, tap “Forgot password?”
- Enter your username, email, or phone number.
- Click “Send Login Link” and check your email or SMS for a recovery link.
- Verify Your Identity
- If you can’t log in, go to Instagram’s Help Center and report your account as hacked.
- Instagram may ask you to submit a photo of yourself holding a handwritten code to verify your identity.
- Secure Your Account
- Once you regain access, change your password immediately.
- Remove any unfamiliar email addresses or phone numbers from your account settings.
Preventative Measures to Secure Your Instagram Account
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
- Go to Settings > Security > Two-Factor Authentication and turn it on.
- Use an authentication app like Google Authenticator instead of SMS for added security.
- Use a Strong Password
- Create a unique password with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Avoid using easily guessed passwords like your name or birthdate.
- Check Account Activity
- Regularly review your Login Activity under Settings > Security to spot unfamiliar logins.
- If you see an unknown device, log out and change your password.
- Be Wary of Phishing Scams
- Never click suspicious links in emails, DMs, or texts claiming to be from Instagram.
- Instagram never asks for your password via email or direct message.
- Revoke Access to Suspicious Apps
- Go to Settings > Security > Apps and Websites and remove any apps you don’t recognize.
What to Do if Your Account is Permanently Taken Over?
If you cannot recover your account, report it to Instagram through their Help Center. If your username was changed and you can’t find your profile, ask a friend to search for your old username or linked posts. If the hacker deleted your account, Instagram may not be able to restore it, but you can create a new account and notify your followers of the situation.
Final Thoughts
Getting hacked on Instagram can be a serious issue, but acting quickly improves your chances of recovery. Strengthening your security settings and staying alert to threats can help prevent future hacks.
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