How to Tell if Your Instagram Account Gets Hacked & What To Do If That Happens

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An easy-to-follow guide that explains tactics hackers use, what to do if you get hacked and how to prevent it

Co-authored by Jaclyn Nasland and Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: August 29, 2024

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How do Instagram accounts get hacked?

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How do I know if my Instagram account was hacked?

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Recover an Instagram Account

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Get Instagram Account Back Without Access

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Prevention

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Are you worried that your Instagram account could be hacked? Don't worry! This wikiHow article will show you how your Instagram account could be hacked to what to do to prevent that from happening so the process of securing your IG account isn't a scary or difficult one.

Things You Should Know

Things like malicious software, 3rd-party apps, weak passwords, and in-app scams are a few ways an Instagram account can be hacked.
If you notice unusual login activity or weird account activity, your Instagram account may have been hacked.
If you can't login to your account, you can request a password reset from Instagram.

Section 1 of 5:

How do Instagram accounts get hacked?

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Malicious software, like keyloggers or programs that offer you benefits if you enter your Instagram information. Don't download any software from sources that you don't trust. That software is much more likely to contain malware.
- If you think you have malicious software on your computer, run a scan and remove any threats that it flags.
Cybercriminals could take over a third-party app that you use with Instagram. Since the two apps are connected, the criminals have access to your Instagram as well as the third-party app.

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If you have a weak password, it's most likely very easy to guess. If you use the same password and one of those happens to be in a data leak, your password is out there for anyone to find and use.
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In-app scams. You might get a DM that your friends sent you gifts, but clicking the link will redirect you to a website where cybercriminals can steal your password.
- You can also get an email that claims to be from Instagram that links to a site, which happens to look a lot like Instagram. When you log in, however, you'll be giving out your information to hackers instead of logging in with the platform. Instead, check that Instagram sent you emails within the IG app by going to Settings > Security > Emails from Instagram. Any emails that Instagram has sent you in the last 14 days will appear in this section of settings.
- Most influencers and celebrities are the targets of hackers since they have far-reaching audiences, but ordinary Instagram accounts can also get hacked.

Section 2 of 5:

How do I know if my Instagram account was hacked?

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Unusual account activity. Make sure to look at your account activity regularly so you can spot unusual activity as soon as it happens. Was it you who liked that post while you were sleeping?
- To see your login history, open the app on your phone and go to Settings > Security > Login activity. This will show you were your logins came from, and one from a foreign country might tip you off that your account was hacked.
If you're sure that you didn't misspell or incorrectly capitalize a letter in your password, this could be a sign that someone logged into your account and changed the login information without your knowledge.
When you log into your Instagram account and check your DMs, are there one or more messages that you don't remember sending? That might be a sign that someone else is using your account.
If you notice that new kinds of posts are appearing in your feed, your account may have liked something else and changed your algorithm. That might be a sign that someone else is using your account.^{[1]
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Section 3 of 5:

Recover an Instagram Account

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Monitor login activity for unknown devices. You want to log out the devices that you don't recognize so that they cannot continue using your account. To check your Instagram login devices, go to Settings > Security > Login Activity and tap Log out next to any device you don't recognize.
- You can also turn on login requests so any new device that accesses your account will request access first. To do this, go to Settings > Security > Two-factor authentication > Additional methods > Login requests.
- This method only works if you can log in and access your Instagram account.
To change your password go to Settings > Security > Password and enter your old password as well as a new password. Make sure the new password is strong and not easily guessable.
In the event that you are locked out of your account, Instagram's support will need to be able to verify your personal information. Go to Settings > Account > Personal Information to make sure the correct information is here.
If a third-party app is at fault for making your account vulnerable to hackers, then revoking its privileges will help a little. To revoke access from an app, go to Settings > Security > Apps and websites > Remove. Remove access for any website or app that's unfamiliar to you.^{[2]
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Section 4 of 5:

Get Instagram Account Back Without Access

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Request a link. Tap Forgot Password? (iPhone) or Get help logging in (Android) to have Instagram send you a link via email or phone number.
- If your email was changed, Instagram will send an email to your original email confirming that action. You can use that email to reverse that option and have your emails sent to the original address on the account.
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Report the account hack. Report the hack via Instagram's contact form and you should get an email to verify your identity, which can be in the form of taking a current picture of yourself or identifying the device that set up the account in the first place (like an Android or iPhone).
- After Instagram resets your password, you should change it to something you'll remember.

Section 5 of 5:

Prevention

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A more effective password will be more difficult for hackers to guess.
This adds another layer of security to your account. Go to Settings > Security > Two-factor authentication. You can use an authenticator, like Google Authenticator, or a code that's sent to you via SMS.
You shouldn't be telling everyone what your password is, but also note that those fun games like "My favorite food is…" can also be methods of getting your password.