Hacked! A Comprehensive Guide to Recovering Your Instagram Account

Discovering your Instagram account has been hacked can be a distressing experience. Suddenly, you’re locked out of your profile, your posts might be altered, or worse, your personal information could be compromised. Don’t panic! While it’s a serious situation, Instagram provides various mechanisms to regain access and secure your account. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step you need to take to recover your hacked Instagram account and protect it from future breaches.

Recognizing You’ve Been Hacked

Before jumping into recovery methods, it’s crucial to confirm your account has indeed been compromised. Here are some common signs that indicate a potential hack:

• You can’t log in: Your password no longer works, and you haven’t recently changed it.
• Changes to your profile: Your profile name, username, email address, or phone number has been altered without your knowledge.
• Unauthorized posts or stories: You see posts or stories on your feed that you didn’t create.
• Follow requests or followers you don’t recognize: You notice a surge in follow requests or new followers you didn’t approve.
• Unusual direct messages: You find DMs you didn’t send in your message history.
• Notification of suspicious activity: Instagram might send you a notification about unusual login attempts from a different location or device.

If you notice any of these signs, act quickly to start the recovery process.

Step-by-Step Guide to Recovering Your Hacked Instagram Account

Instagram offers a range of recovery options, and the best approach depends on the level of access the hacker has gained. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the steps you should follow:

1. The ‘Forgot Password’ Route (The First Line of Defense)

This is often the simplest and quickest way to regain access if the hacker hasn’t changed your email or phone number linked to your account.

1. Go to the Instagram login screen: On your mobile app or desktop browser, navigate to the Instagram login page.
2. Tap or Click ‘Forgot Password?’: Below the login fields, you’ll find a link that says ‘Forgot Password?’. Click or tap on it.
3. Enter your Username, Email, or Phone Number: You’ll be prompted to enter one of these three. Use the method that’s still linked to your account. If the hacker has changed them, you will need to use another method explained later in the guide.
4. Choose your verification method: Instagram will offer you a few verification options:
• Email: A reset link will be sent to your associated email address.
• SMS/Text Message: A reset code will be sent to your linked phone number.
5. Check your email/phone for the reset link/code: Open your email inbox or messages on your phone.
6. Click on the reset link or enter the code: Follow the instructions in the email or text message to reset your password. Choose a strong, unique password.
7. Log in: Now, you should be able to log in with your new password.

Important Note: If the hacker has changed both your email and phone number, this method will not work, and you will need to explore the following options.

2. Reporting a Hacked Account If Email and Phone Are Changed

If the hacker has changed your linked email address and phone number, the standard ‘Forgot Password’ route won’t work. In this case, you will need to report your account as compromised to Instagram directly.

1. Navigate to the login screen and tap on ‘Forgot Password’: Again, go to the Instagram login screen and tap/click on ‘Forgot Password?’.
2. Tap ‘Need More Help?’ or ‘Can’t Reset Your Password?’: Instead of entering your details, you will see an option stating you are having issues resetting your password, tap or click on this. This may vary depending on the exact version of the app.
3. Select ‘My Account Was Hacked’: On the next screen, you’ll be given several options, choose the one that best describes your situation. Usually the option that best suits your scenario will be ‘My account was hacked’, or an option stating that someone may have gained access to your account.
4. Provide the requested information: Instagram will now ask you to provide additional information to verify that you own the account. This usually includes:
• Email address originally used for signup: Provide the email address you used when you first created the Instagram account. This is crucial, even if it has been changed.
• Username: State your Instagram username.
• Phone number originally used for signup: Provide the phone number linked when you first created your account.
• Any other details: Be ready to provide additional information requested such as when the account was created, when you last used it and other relevant information.
5. Complete the verification process: Instagram will ask you to verify your identity using one of the following methods:
• Taking a Selfie Video: You’ll be prompted to record a short video selfie of yourself turning your head, ensuring you are the account owner.
• Submit ID: Upload a photo of an official ID like a driver’s license or passport. Ensure the details match the details of your account.
6. Wait for Instagram’s response: Once submitted, Instagram will review your information. This process can take several hours or even days.
7. Follow Instagram’s Instructions: If your verification is successful, Instagram will provide you with instructions to regain access to your account and reset your password.

Important Tips for This Step:

• Be Accurate: Provide the most accurate information possible. The more precise you are, the faster Instagram can verify your ownership.
• Be Patient: The verification process can take time. Avoid submitting multiple requests, as this might cause confusion and delay the process.
• Check your Spam/Junk Folder: Be sure to check your spam or junk folder, as the reply from Instagram might end up there.

3. Using the Instagram Help Center

The Instagram Help Center is a comprehensive resource that can guide you through account recovery. It might also provide additional options depending on the circumstances of the hack.

1. Go to the Instagram Help Center: Open the Instagram website on your computer and navigate to the Help Center, usually located at the bottom of the page in the footer or through search. Alternatively, Google ‘Instagram Help Center’.
2. Search for ‘Hacked Account’ or a similar term: Use the search bar to look for articles related to hacked or compromised accounts.
3. Browse relevant articles: Read through the provided articles. These articles may contain specific solutions or additional guidance for your particular situation.
4. Contact support: Some articles offer links to contact Instagram support directly. If you can’t find what you need, look for contact options.
5. Follow the support team’s instructions: Be prepared to provide detailed information about your issue and follow the instructions provided by the support team.

4. Recovering a Disabled Account

Sometimes, hackers will not only take over your account but also violate Instagram’s terms of service, leading to account disabling. If your account has been disabled, here’s how you can attempt to recover it:

1. Check your email: Instagram usually sends an email explaining why your account has been disabled. If you’ve received one, follow the instructions provided in it to appeal the decision.
2. Use the appeal form: If you haven’t received an email, visit the Instagram Help Center and look for the ‘Disabled Account’ section. Find and fill out the appeal form, which is usually required in order to appeal a disabled account.
3. Provide the necessary information: The appeal form might require personal information, an explanation of why you believe the account was disabled unfairly, and any additional supporting documentation you may have.
4. Be thorough: Take the time to fill out the form thoroughly and accurately. Be sure to include all the relevant information as any additional info may help the process.
5. Be patient: The review process for disabled accounts can take some time. Wait patiently for Instagram to respond to your appeal.
6. Monitor your emails: After you appeal, be sure to keep a close watch on your emails for further instructions and the outcome of the appeal.

Securing Your Account After Recovery

Once you’ve regained access to your account, it’s crucial to take steps to prevent future hacks. Here’s what you should do:

1. Change Your Password

Choose a strong, unique password that you haven’t used elsewhere. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords. Passwords should contain a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using any easily guessable information.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

2FA adds an extra layer of security. When logging in from a new device, you’ll be required to enter a code from your phone, in addition to your password. Set this up in your settings as soon as you gain access to your account.

1. Navigate to your Profile Settings: Open your Instagram profile, and tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner and then choose ‘Settings’.
2. Go to Security Settings: Find the ‘Security’ section within the settings menu.
3. Tap ‘Two-Factor Authentication’: You’ll see an option for ‘Two-Factor Authentication’. Tap on this option.
4. Choose a method: Select your preferred method:
• Authentication App: Use an app like Google Authenticator or Authy to generate verification codes.
• SMS Text Message: You’ll receive codes via text message on your phone.
5. Follow instructions: Follow the on-screen instructions to set up two-factor authentication. Make sure you have access to the method of authentication you select and that you save the backup codes safely.

3. Revoke Access to Suspicious Apps

Third-party apps linked to your Instagram account could be the cause of the breach. Review and revoke access to any suspicious or unused apps.

1. Navigate to Settings: As in the 2FA instructions, begin by navigating to your ‘Settings’.
2. Go to ‘Security’ settings: Choose the security option, like before.
3. Go to ‘Apps and Websites’ option: From the security menu, choose ‘Apps and Websites’
4. Review Linked Apps: Look at the list of apps and websites that have access to your Instagram account.
5. Revoke suspicious access: Choose the apps you no longer use and remove access from them.

4. Check Login Activity

Regularly check your account’s login activity to see if there are any logins from unknown locations or devices.

1. Navigate to Settings: Again, navigate to your ‘Settings’ in the Instagram app.
2. Go to Security settings: Find and choose the security settings menu.
3. Tap ‘Login Activity’: Find the option ‘Login Activity’ and select it.
4. Review activity: Carefully look at the list of devices and locations that have logged in to your account, and remove any that you do not recognise.

5. Keep Your Email and Phone Number Updated

Always ensure your linked email and phone number are correct and up-to-date to make account recovery easier in the future. This should be something you regularly check for accuracy.

6. Beware of Phishing Scams

Hackers often use phishing emails or messages to trick users into giving away their login details. Be cautious of any unsolicited emails or messages asking you to log in or verify your information. Always double-check that any links are leading to the official Instagram website and not an imitation.

7. Enable Login Request

When you log in to your account on a new device, Instagram will send you a notification on your original device to approve the log in. If you do not recognise the device or the log in, you can reject the request, thus preventing anyone who has gained your password from gaining access to your account.

8. Regularly Review Your Account

Keep an eye on your followers, following, posts, stories, and DMs to spot any unusual activity. The more vigilant you are, the quicker you can spot any issues before they become severe.

Conclusion

Getting hacked on Instagram is a frustrating experience, but by taking the right steps, you can regain control and protect your account. Stay proactive with your security, follow the steps outlined in this guide, and you’ll be better prepared to safeguard your Instagram profile from future threats. By remembering to stay vigilant, follow security advice, and act fast if you spot suspicious activity, you are reducing the likelihood of being targeted by hackers, and increasing the chances of a fast recovery should you fall victim to hacking.