Bots and hackers are a threat to social media accounts, both big and small. You must be careful on every app you use, especially if you notice anything amiss with your account. However, you shouldn’t lose hope even if you get your Instagram hacked. In this article, we show you how to notice (and recover!) a hacked IG account.

Instagram Hacked? What Signs To Look Out For

It’s not always obvious when someone’s hacked your account. In fact, they might even clean up any suspicious messages and log out afterward. However, there are some hints you should be aware of at all times. These include:

• Being stuck on the login screen when you know you haven’t signed out. There may even be a chance that the hacker has successfully changed your account’s password.
• New posts that you don’t remember making. This should be an instant red flag. The post might be a commercial for a product that the hacker is trying to sell.
• DMs you don’t remember sending are also a major cause for concern. These could even include phishing links that will hack your friends’ accounts if they click on them.
• Strange Instagram emails in your inbox. If they mention a password change, press Secure Your Account. The Instagram hacker might also have access to your email.
• Notifications about suspicious login attempts. Even if they didn’t sign in, it means they’ve got your password. You have to change it and add tighter security to your IG.
• Changed details on your account. This could mean a new profile picture or a link in your bio. This might again be a phishing link that will hack your friends’ accounts.
• Someone contacting you with a ransom demand for your account. This is much more obvious than other signs. No matter how precious your profile is, don’t pay the price.

Why Would an Instagram Hacker Target My Account?

Beyond asking for a ransom directly, there are several reasons why a hacker might go after your Instagram profile. They may use it to send scam links to your friends or followers and steal their bank details, for example. An Instagram hack can even lead to someone selling your account on the black market. The more followers you have, the bigger your account’s value.

Your account will also come with a high volume of data about you and your friends. Hackers can use this to impersonate you or gain access to other accounts. Getting into your Instagram might just be the hacker’s beta test for accessing your email. A hacked Instagram account will also be full of DMs, sometimes with compromising information they can use to blackmail you.

The hacker might have personal reasons for going after your IG account. It may just be that you got on their bad side, possibly without even knowing. There are even services that offer to hack family members, as well as personal enemies, for a price. Overall, there are many possibilities that could end with you asking, “What can I do if my Instagram was hacked?”

How Do Instagram Accounts Get Hacked?

Anyone can fall victim to a hack. Even with a secure email address and secure privacy settings, it’s difficult to be completely protected. Here are the four main ways that hackers could get your details.

1. Brute Forcing

It’s entirely possible for someone to guess your password if it isn’t strong enough. They might be able to figure it out using your publicly available information. However, hackers mostly use bots to try thousands of possibilities at once. They might even try variations on other passwords they know you’ve used for your accounts on other sites.

2. Spoof Emails

It’s possible for hackers to hide their email addresses. Alternatively, they can make a fake one that looks like a true Instagram support handle. This scam involves tricking a user into thinking their account is already breached. The hacker can then get them to click a fake login link that submits their details to the scammer.

3. Third-Party Hacks

The third-party apps you integrate with Instagram tend to be much less secure than the platform itself. This means they’re big targets for hackers. With the right tactics, they can get a lot of user details in one attack. They may then sell the information online, post it publicly, or even use it for their own ends.

4. Data Theft

Clicking on a scam link could send your data to hackers. This may include your location and the type of device you’re using. It’s also possible to do this through public Wi-Fi hotspots. If you log into a network you don’t recognize, its owner can take your data. Only use secure networks you trust when browsing away from home.

My Instagram Was Hacked: Can I Get Control Back?

It’s usually possible to get your IG account back after it’s been hacked. Even if someone claims they’ll delete it for good, Meta can recover it. You might find it easier to make a new profile even if the scammer stops using your original account. Sometimes, the only hint you’ll have to a hack is a time of sign-in that you don’t recognize.

Instagram offers a number of support options for hack victims. Following their security steps will help you get your account back and keep it safe in the future. However, many of the usual tricks depend on you being able to access your email and phone number. If the hacker somehow has these, you might be fighting an uphill battle to get your IG profile back.

Instagram’s first step when you contact them might be to see if you’re a real person. This is due to a massive wave of spambots faking account recovery requests. It’s vital that you follow every step they set out — and as soon as possible. Every day or even hour that you wait may make it even harder to take control of your account.

How To Get Back a Hacked Instagram Account

The usual recovery processes are enough to fix your problems in most cases. Assuming you’re able to confirm someone has hacked your account, Meta themselves could intervene. Following their guidance step by step is almost always the answer. On that note, here’s what they recommend.

1. Change Your Password

If you can verify your account’s original email is safe, you can change your Instagram password. Request a password reset link from Instagram on the sign-in screen. Alternatively, if you’re still able to sign in for now, you can change it in your Accounts Center. Make sure the new password is stronger than before.

2. Get a Sign-In Link

Hackers can change your profile’s details, possibly disconnecting it from your email. You should get an auto-response email from Meta if this happens. If you didn’t change your account’s linked email, notify Instagram by clicking Secure My Account. They can then give you a sign-in link to restore access to your profile.

3. Request a Security Code

Similarly, you can ask for a security code if the sign-in link doesn’t work. This works in much the same way but lets you in even if a hacker has changed your details. You’ll have to use an email only you can access. The platform might also ask you to prove who you are.

4. Prove Your Identity

Instagram sometimes uses your photos to verify if you’re actually the account’s owner. However, it’s possible for people to fake documents or even new photos using complex editing software. A video selfie may be necessary in these cases. One of their staff members will watch the video to determine that you’re the owner.

Why Your IG Needs Two-Factor Authentication

Was your Instagram account hacked recently? If so, you might need two-factor security to keep it safe. This means the app will send you a text every time you try to log in with a special code. If you don’t recognize the login attempt, you can report it right away. Alternatively, you could use a special third-party app.

If you choose this option, an authentication app such as Google Authenticator sends the code to you. In fact, Instagram actually prefers this method as you can connect multiple devices. Texting a code is naturally limited to just one device. No matter the route you take, two-factor security is sure to help you get full peace of mind.

You can set two-factor authentication for your Instagram account by following the steps below:

1. Press your profile icon at the bottom right of your feed. 
2. Click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner and access your Accounts Center.
3. In the Password and Security section, tap Two-factor Authentication. 
4. Follow the instructions on-screen to add your devices and select whichever authentication method works best for you.

Why You Should Remove Bot Hackers From Your Profile

Whether they’re in your DMs or comments, many consider spambots to be just a nuisance. This is mostly true. However, they could fool people in your network if you don’t stop them quickly. In fact, anyone trusting their comments could be a new victim. But how do Instagram accounts get hacked by bots in the first place?

Bots post links in comments, DMs, and their own bios that will send you to a fake login page. At first glance, it looks like the app has signed you out, and you’ll have to log back in. Once you do this, your details instead go straight to the bot’s creator. They can then take over your profile.

The bot’s link might even download malware to someone’s device if they click it. This is why you need to block bots who try to follow you. Otherwise, you might need to discover how to get back hacked Instagram account details. Even messages from your friends can have suspicious links; always be on the lookout for signs of hacking.

Whether you get your Instagram hacked by a bot, rival, or someone looking for money, there are still ways forward. To be safe, you could avoid buying bot followers and instead use snsflow.com’s real paid fans.

With one simple payment, you can get more followers and engagement without risking a hack in the process. If you want to boost your account safely, try snsflow.com today.