Having your Instagram account hacked can be a frustrating and scary experience. Your account contains precious photos, memories, and connections, and you certainly don’t want a stranger accessing all of that personal information.
The good news is that Instagram has measures in place to help you recover your hacked account and secure it for the future. Here’s what to do if your Instagram gets hacked and how Instagram can help you get it back.
How to Know if Your Instagram Account is Hacked
Sometimes it’s obvious when an Instagram account has been compromised, like if the hacker changes your username or profile photo. But other signs of a hacked account are more subtle:
- Your password suddenly stops working.
- Suspicious posts or messages are sent from your account.
- Your follower count changes dramatically.
- The email or phone number on your Instagram account is changed.
- You stop receiving notifications about account activity.
- You’re logged out of your account suddenly.
If you notice any of these red flags, it likely means your account has been hacked. Take action right away to get it back.
How to Recover Your Hacked Instagram Account
If you believe your Instagram account has been compromised, here are the steps to recover it:
- Log in to Instagram: Try logging in to your Instagram account with your username and password. If that doesn’t work, it’s a sign your account is hacked.
- Use account recovery: Go to the Instagram login page and click “Forgot password?” to trigger the account recovery flow. You’ll be prompted to enter your username or connected email/phone number.
- Select “My account was hacked”: On the next screen, choose the option “My account was hacked” and click Need More Help.
- Provide info about your account: Instagram will ask you to provide info to verify account ownership, like email addresses or phone numbers previously associated with it.
- Reset your password: Once Instagram confirms you’re the rightful account owner, you can reset your password to secure the account.
- Review recent activity: Check your account profile, posts, followers etc. to see if the hacker left any traces. Remove anything suspicious.
Going through Instagram’s hacked account recovery process should help you regain access to your account by resetting the password. Make sure to choose a strong, new password that hasn’t been used on other sites.
How Instagram Can Help with Hacked Accounts
Instagram has several measures in place to help users whose accounts have been compromised:
Account Recovery
As mentioned above, Instagram’s account recovery process allows you to reset your password and reclaim a hacked account. They’ll ask for verifying info to confirm you’re the rightful account owner before letting you create a new password.
Login Requests
You can view recent login activity on your Instagram account by going to Settings > Security > Login activity. This lets you see details like login dates, locations, and browser/devices used. If any logins seem suspicious, you can tap “Not you?” to secure your account.
Two-Factor Authentication
Instagram gives you the option to turn on two-factor authentication, which requires an additional step to log in beyond just a password. This extra layer of security makes it much harder for a hacker to access your account. Enable 2FA in Settings > Security.
Security Checks
Occasionally, Instagram will proactively send you a security check notification if they detect suspicious activity on your account. These prompts encourage you to review recent logins and reset your password if anything seems off.
Hacked Account Reporting
If you’re unable to recover your hacked Instagram using the steps above, you can fill out Instagram’s hacked account form. Provide details on how your account was compromised and when it happened. This alerts Instagram to investigate and restore access to rightful owners when possible.
Law Enforcement Assistance
For severe cases of Instagram hacking, the company may work with law enforcement agencies to properly investigate and address the account theft. This help from Instagram facilitates potential criminal charges against hacking perpetrators.
Tips to Secure Your Instagram Account
Once you recover your hacked Instagram account, it’s crucial to take measures to prevent it from happening again. Here are some best practices to keep your account safe:
Use a Strong Password
Always opt for a lengthy, complex password that would be difficult for hackers to guess. Avoid passwords with real dictionary words, repeated characters, or personal info. Using a password manager helps generate and store strong passwords.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Add an extra layer of account security by turning on Instagram’s two-factor authentication in your account settings. This requires you to enter a special login code from your phone, beyond just a password.
Be Wary of Phishing
Beware of emails or messages claiming to be from Instagram and asking for your login info. Instagram will never ask for your password. Delete any suspicious communications.
Log Out of Public Computers
Don’t stay logged into your Instagram account on a public or shared computer. Always log out of the app or website when you’re finished using it to prevent access by the next person.
Use Caution on Wi-Fi
Only access your Instagram account on secure, password-protected Wi-Fi networks that you trust. Hackers can spy on info sent over public Wi-Fi.
Turn On Login Notifications
Get alerts about suspicious login activity by enabling login notifications in your Instagram account settings. This way you can catch a potential hack right away.
Staying vigilant about Instagram account security and utilizing the company’s safety tools can help minimize your chances of being hacked. But if your account does get compromised, act quickly to start the recovery process and regain access.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my hacked Instagram account back?
If your Instagram is hacked, go through the account recovery steps by resetting your password and providing verifying info about the account. Instagram can help restore access to rightful owners through this process.
Can Instagram tell if your account is hacked?
Instagram likely can’t immediately tell if an account is hacked. But there are ways to detect suspicious activity, like notices if the account email is changed or login locations seem strange. Instagram may then investigate and prompt users to secure accounts.
Does Instagram deactivate hacked accounts?
Instagram does not automatically deactivate accounts that appear to be hacked. However, Instagram will lock accounts being used for spam/abuse until the rightful owner can recover it and reset the password.
Can you tell who hacked your Instagram?
It is difficult to definitively trace who hacked an Instagram account. However, Instagram does log details like IP addresses and locations for account logins. This info could potentially help identify the perpetrator.
Why is it so hard to get hacked Instagram account back?
Recovering a hacked Instagram account can be difficult because the hacker often changes the username, password, email and other account details. Without access, it’s tough for the rightful owner to go through the recovery process.
The Bottom Line
Having your Instagram account hacked can be stressful, but the company provides ways to help recover it and boost security. Use Instagram’s account recovery tools, be cautious of phishing attempts, and enable two-factor authentication. With vigilance and Instagram’s help, you can protect your account from being compromised and get it back if it is.