How Do I Prevent My Instagram From Being Hacked?

Audit Your Third-Party App Authorizations

While human error is the number one reason for accounts being hacked and data being stolen, sharing your login credentials with fraudulent third-party apps can still be a major problem. I recommend everyone do a third-party app authorization audit once every few months—ask yourself if your new apps really seem like they need access to your Instagram or if it seems suspicious based on what the app does.

Alter Your Password in the Event of Suspicious Behavior

If you believe someone has hacked your account, change your password immediately and check your account activity for any illegal changes or activity. Examine your account activity for illegal modifications or questionable behavior, such as new posts or comments you did not make.

Never Reveal Your Password to Anyone

Don't tell anyone your password and avoid using public Wi-Fi to access your account. Keep your password private and avoid revealing it to anyone, including friends and relatives. When using public Wi-Fi networks to access your Instagram account, I believe it is important to be cautious because they may be insecure and make it easier for hackers to intercept your login details.

Stay Current on Handling the Latest Cybersecurity Threats

To prevent your Instagram account from being hacked, the key is to stay ahead of the game by constantly updating your security measures. A few tips to keep in mind include setting strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and limiting third-party access.

In addition, it's important to stay informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and best methods and to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting your online presence. Remember, in today's hyper-connected world, your reputation is only as strong as your digital security.

Be Cautious of Public Wi-Fi and Use a VPN

Be cautious of public Wi-Fi. There are fewer restrictions on public Wi-Fi than on your private wireless connection. That's why the safest option is not to access your Instagram account when you're connected to insecure public Wi-Fi.

If you log in to your IG using it, cybercriminals can easily take advantage of that fact and access your confidential data. Still, if you have no choice and must connect to public Wi-Fi, use a virtual private network (VPN). VPN encrypts your connection and masks your IP address, providing digital privacy.

Many easy-to-use apps work across different platforms. They protect you from hacking attacks and help to secure your data.

Avoid Buying Likes and Followers

Services that promote likes and Instagram followers for a fee are the biggest risk to your account's privacy. Such services often ask unsuspecting customers to give them access to their accounts to help carry out their plans.

While you may see a temporary increase in the number of likes and followers, in the long run, these services take advantage of the access to your account to take it over. This is followed by permanent exclusion from the account and ongoing extortion attempts.

Monitor Your Account's Activity Regularly

Do this and check for any unauthorized logins or changes to your account information. Also, Monitor your account activity frequently to keep an eye out for any unauthorized logins or questionable activities. Changes to your account information, such as your email address, phone number, and profile image, should be reviewed to ensure they are accurate and legitimate.

Use Strong Passwords

Make sure your password is strong. A strong password should contain letters, numbers, and special characters. A password manager can help you create secure passwords and keep them safe, which is what we recommend doing for optimum Instagram security. Remember to update your passwords periodically as well, as this is one of the best cyber hygiene habits.

Save Time With a Password Manager

Prevention is key to keeping your Instagram account secure. To help protect yourself and your information, I suggest using a password manager (I use 1Password, but there are a lot of different options).

A password manager is an app or software program that stores, encrypts, and organizes—and can even generate!—all of your passwords in one secure location. You only need to remember one master password—they keep the rest for you! It also helps you save time by auto-filling forms with saved data. With a good password manager like LastPass or 1Password, you can easily set complex passwords across multiple accounts while still remembering just the single master password.

Get Ahead of Phishing Scams

Have awareness of phishing scams that seek to fool you into disclosing your Instagram login details or other personal information. Be wary of messages or emails requesting your Instagram login credentials or other sensitive information. Check the sender's identity before clicking on any links or downloading attachments from unfamiliar or dubious sources.