A lot of people are wondering how to secure their Instagram accounts from being hacked.

Getting hacked is certainly a scary situation to be in — especially if you’re a business that relies on Instagram to make sales or generate leads!

Over the last year, Instagram has released a number of tools and resources to ensure that we remain a safe and welcoming community.

So what can you do to secure your Instagram account?

5 Tips to secure your Instagram account

1: Pick a Strong Password

The most obvious tip on our list also happens to be the most important.

Guessing passwords or using old passwords are some of the most common ways that hackers break into accounts. Using a strong, complex password can’t be overstated.

While Instagram recommends using a “combination of at least six numbers, letters and punctuation marks (like ! and &). It should be different from other passwords you use elsewhere on the internet. Most security experts suggest a minimum password length of 8 characters.

You should also consider updating your Instagram accounts security password regularly — at least once or twice a year according to most experts. You may even want to use a password manager to keep track of and manage your passwords.

2: Turn on Two-Factor Authentication

Nearly all major applications now provide some form of two-factor authentication (or 2FA), and this includes Instagram.

What’s two-factor authentication?

Two-factor authentication is a new security feature that helps safeguard your account by requiring something you know (your account username and password) and something you have (your mobile phone) every time you log into your Instagram account from an unknown device. Meaning, if someone has your password but does not have your phone, they cannot access your account.

With two-factor authentication turned on, whenever you log into Instagram from an unrecognized device, you’ll be prompted to enter an SMS security code, along with your username and password. This can help thwart any attempts by hackers to log into your account and change your contact information.

To turn two-factor authentication on, head to your Instagram profile and tap the settings button. Then scroll down and tap Two-Factor Authentication.

Note: After you’ve turned on two-factor authentication, you’ll be able to access recovery codes for your account if you have issues receiving a code. If your account doesn’t have a confirmed phone number, you’ll be asked to enter one. Once you’ve entered your phone number, tap the next button.

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3: Make Sure Your Email Account is Secure

Your email is a bit like a gateway to your online accounts — Anyone who can read your email can probably also access your Instagram account. Change the passwords for all of your email accounts and make sure that no two are the same.

Most email providers have systems in place to block unwanted login attempts and offer security measures like email encryption and two-factor authentication.

If you truly want to keep your Instagram account safe, you need to make sure your email account is equally as safe.

4: Revoke Access to Suspicious Third-Party Apps

One of Instagram’s recent security tips is to revoke access to any “suspicious third-party apps.”

Basically, this means any websites or apps that don’t follow Instagram’s Community Guidelines or Terms of Use.

You can now manage your connections to third-party services by going to “Settings” in the Instagram app. Next tap “Security,” then tap “Apps and Websites.” From there, you’ll have the option to remove any third–party services you no longer want to be connected to your Instagram account.

So take your time and do a spring cleaning. You have to do this in a browser, not directly in the app. Check every single app that you allowed to access and use your Instagram account. Revoke access to the ones that you don’t use anymore, look suspicious or you can’t even remember them.

5: Extra Security Tips

While the above tips should be enough to keep your account secure, here are a few more ways you can stay safe:

1. Change your password regularly, especially if you see a message from Instagram asking you to do so. During automated security checks, Instagram sometimes recovers login information that was stolen from other sites. If Instagram detects that your password may have been stolen, changing your password on Instagram and other sites helps to keep your account secure and prevent you from being hacked in the future.
2 Log out of Instagram when you use a computer or phone you share with other people. Don’t check the “Remember Me” box when logging in from a public computer, as this will keep you logged in even after you close the browser window.
3. Block suspicious followers to protect your Instagram account from being hacked, If your page on Instagram is private, do not accept the following requests from suspicious people. In case your page is public and you suspect any of your followers, you should block them quickly to keep your Instagram account secure.
4. Do not open attachments from unknown sources. You have probably received DMs including attachments. Some of them are designed to hack your mobile phone or PC. Be careful about these attachments and take no action against them.

Conclusion

With the number of Instagram accounts that were recently hacked reaching into the thousands, it’s super important that you take the right steps to secure your account and protect yourself against hackers.

You should try to protect your Instagram account from being hacked as your data on Instagram is important and hackers may use them against you. There are many ways to keep your Instagram account secure and we mentioned the most important ones above.

Let us know in the comments if you know about any other tips and strategies to keep your account secure!