Last Updated on November 28, 2023

Instagram Account Hacked? 3 Steps to Recover

The thought of a hacker having access to one of your social media accounts is certainly not a pleasant one. If not stopped, they’d be free to post under your name, message your friends while posing as you, or even delete your account altogether.

Think your Instagram account may have been hacked? You’re in the right place. Here are some things you can try to reclaim control of your account.

#1 — Change your password

If you’re worried someone else has access to your Instagram account, the first thing you should do is change your password. If you can still log in to your account, here’s how to change your password:

1. Tap your profile picture in the bottom right-hand corner.
2. Select the icon in the top right-hand corner, then Settings.
3. Select See more in Accounts Centre > Password and security > Change password.
4. Tap on your account, then enter your current password followed by your new password (twice).
5. Select Change Password.

If the hacker has changed your password, you can request a password reset email/text message by clicking either Get help logging in (Android) or Forgot password (iOS) on the login screen and following the on-screen instructions.

#2 — Check your email

The hacker may have changed or be looking to change the email address associated with your account. Fortunately, however, you may be able to revert this. Here are the steps to do so:

1. Check your inbox for an email from security@mail.instagram.com. This will be an email informing you that the email address associated with your account has been changed.
2. If you’ve received such an email, open it and click revert this change.

#3 — Request a login link

A login link functions as a one-time passwordless way to log in to your Instagram account. Requesting one is how you can prove to Instagram that you’re the account owner, potentially helping you regain control of your account. Here’s how to request a login link:

1. If you’re using Android, on the login screen, tap Get help logging in. If you’re using iPhone, tap Forgot password?.
2. Enter either the username, email address, or phone number associated with your account, then select Next.
3. Choose from either your email address or phone number, then click Send login link.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions sent to either your phone or email address to log in.

How to Protect Your Instagram Account

Once you’ve reclaimed control of your Instagram account, here are some things you can do to protect it:

• Use a strong, unique password. Ideally, your password should be effectively unguessable. It should also be unique, meaning you don’t use it for any of your other online accounts. Click here for tips for setting strong passwords.
• Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account. Two-factor authentication makes it so potential hackers will have a much, much tougher time getting into your account.
• Consider using Trend Micro ID Protection to protect your online security and privacy.

One way that hackers get their hands on the sensitive data required to hack into online accounts is through underground forums and the dark web — the two places where stolen personal information is commonly sold and shared.

Trend Micro ID Protection can help you to stop your data from falling into the wrong hands by alerting you when it has been posted online.

With ID Protection you can…

• Receive alerts if your personal info gets leaked.
• Protect against online threats, such as phishing scams.
• Stop sites from collecting privacy-compromising data.
• Safeguard your social media accounts against hackers.
• Create, store, and manage strong, tough-to-hack passwords.

What’s even better is that you can enjoy a 100% unrestricted 30-day free trial of ID Protection‘s paid version, so that you can take advantage of all its awesome features and start securing your identity and privacy today! Click the button below to get started!