Find out how to recover your hacked Instagram profile with this step-by-step guide. Learn how to secure your account and regain control of your profile in a few simple steps.
Finding out that you’ve been locked out of your Instagram account is one of the most stressful things that can happen.
Purtroppo, gli hack su Instagram sono aumentati costantemente ogni anno dal 2016. Nel 2022, ci sono stati più di un milione di casi di violazione di account sui social media, con l’85% delle vittime che hanno dichiarato che il proprio account Instagram è stato compromesso.
Un account Instagram violato è più di un semplice inconveniente, poiché i truffatori possono raccogliere informazioni personali per usarle per il furto d’identità, impersonare la vittima e distruggere la sua reputazione online, o truffare amici e familiari. Inoltre, ci sono anche rischi finanziari se l’account violato è quello di un’azienda o di un’influencer.
Se non riesci ad accedere al tuo account o noti segni che è stato violato, abbi cura di agire in fretta e seguire i passaggi riportati all’interno di questa guida su come recuperare un profilo Instagram hackerato.
Ecco come capire se il tuo account Instagram è stato hackerato
La prova più ovvia che il tuo account Instagram è stato violato è che non riesci più ad accedere alla piattaforma utilizzando le tue credenziali di login e password.
Se questo accade, probabilmente un hacker ha ottenuto l’accesso al tuo account e ti ha bloccato effettuando la modifica della password.
In questo caso, dovrai seguire alcuni passaggi per recuperare il tuo account Instagram.
A volte, però, i truffatori non vogliono farti sapere che hanno violato il tuo account, per questo motivo ci sono alcuni indizi che possono far capire che qualcun altro ha accesso al tuo account social.
Ricevi un’e-mail di reimpostazione della password che non hai richiesto
Se ricevi un’e-mail di reimpostazione della password che non hai richiesto, significa che qualcun altro sta cercando di accedere al tuo account.
Ciò potrebbe essere il risultato di un tentativo di hacking o di phishing. Inoltre, potrebbe significare che qualcuno ha violato la tua e-mail e sta cercando di utilizzare le informazioni di accesso per ottenere l’accesso ad altri tuoi account.
In questo caso, è importante non ignorare queste email e prendere immediatamente provvedimenti per proteggere il tuo account.
Innanzitutto, assicurati che tutte le password del tuo account siano aggiornate e sicure, facendo uso di combinazioni di lettere maiuscole e minuscole, numeri e simboli.
Inoltre, è consigliabile attivare l’autenticazione a due fattori (2FA), utilizzando un’app di autenticazione come Google Authenticator, ove possibile.
Questo aggiunge un ulteriore livello di sicurezza al tuo account, rendendo più difficile per gli hacker ottenere l’accesso non autorizzato.
Attivare l’autenticazione a due fattori su Instagram è un processo semplice e veloce che aggiunge un ulteriore livello di sicurezza al tuo account.
Con l’autenticazione a due fattori attivata, infatti, oltre alla password, sarà necessario fornire un codice di verifica ogni volta che si accede al proprio account da un dispositivo sconosciuto. Questo rende più difficile per gli hacker ottenere l’accesso non autorizzato al tuo account.
Per attivare l’autenticazione a due fattori su Instagram, segui questi passaggi:
- Accedi al tuo account sul social e vai alla sezione “Impostazioni”
- Tocca “Sicurezza”
- Tocca “Autenticazione a due fattori”
- Seleziona l’opzione “Codice di verifica via SMS” o “Autenticazione app”
- Inserisci il tuo numero di telefono o seleziona l’app di autenticazione desiderata
- Segui le istruzioni per configurare l’autenticazione a due fattori
Impostazioni su Instagram
Sicurezza su Instagram
Two-factor authentication on Instagram
Setting up 2FA authentication on Instagram
Once two-factor authentication is activated, you will be asked to enter a verification code each time you access your account from an unknown device. In this way you can have greater security and peace of mind when using your Instagram account.
Your account email address has changed
If you receive an email from Instagram that your email has been changed , your account has been hacked.
Email change on Instagram – Credits: DDay
This means that a scammer has already gained access to your account and is trying to stop you from changing your Instagram password to regain your access. To protect your account, therefore, it’s important to act quickly.
To deny the email change , you must log in to the original email account associated with your Instagram account and follow the instructions provided in the email to confirm that the change was not made by you. Also, to increase the security of your account, it is advisable to change the password of your email account and Instagram account.
It’s also important to watch out for phishing scams. All official Instagram emails should come from security@mail.instagram.com and any email coming from a different address could be a scam attempt.
If you suspect a scam, it is important not to click on the links within the email and contact Instagram support immediately to report the situation.
Get a “suspicious login attempt” alert
To check if someone is trying to access your Instagram account from a different location, you can use the “Login Activity” feature provided by the platform.
Suspicious login attempt on Instagram – Credits: Jugo Mobile
Instagram will automatically report any suspicious login attempts to your account and allow you to monitor all recent login activity.
To check your login activity on Instagram, log in to the app and follow these steps:
- Go to Profile
- Tap Settings
- Tap Security
- Tap Login Activity
Login activity on Instagram – Credits: Wordsmart.it
In this section, you will be able to see all the latest locations from which your account was accessed, along with the date and time of access.
If you see something unusual or don’t recognize a location, press “This wasn’t me” and Instagram will immediately disconnect your account from that device.
If you use Instagram on your desktop computer, you can check your login activity by following these steps:
- Go to Profile
- Tap Settings
- Tap Login Activity
In this way you can constantly monitor access to your Instagram account and prevent any violations. It’s important to always keep an eye on your login activity to maintain the security of your account.
Friends and followers are receiving strange messages from you
One of the reasons scammers don’t want you to know that they’ve hacked your Instagram account is that they want to scam your friends and contacts.
In this situation, Instagram hackers will often send messages to your friends using your hacked account, with the aim of stealing their login information or convincing them to invest in fraudulent crypto schemes.
Scam attempt on Instagram – Credits: Il Sole 24 Ore
For this reason, it is important to pay attention to reports from your friends or contacts. If your friends contact you and tell you that they have received strange messages from you, it is important to immediately check your Instagram account activity to see if someone has hacked your account.
In case of suspicion, it is important to follow the steps to recover your account and change your passwords. Also, it is important to inform your friends and contacts not to click on any suspicious links or to provide any personal information.
Your account is posting and commenting alone
If you notice strange notifications about posts or comments that you don’t remember making yourself, it’s likely that your Instagram account has been compromised.
A scammer may have gained access to your account and use it to post and comment by pretending to be you. This can be done with the aim of scamming your friends and followers, for example by sending them phishing messages or dangerous links.
In this case, it’s important to act quickly to protect your account and online reputation. First, you need to change your profile password and enable two-factor authentication , to prevent further unauthorized access to your account.
Also, it’s a good idea to check all recent activity on your account, such as posts and comments, and remove any suspicious content.
In addition, as with the previous point, it is good to inform your friends and followers of this situation and ask them to pay attention to any requests for personal information or money they may receive from your compromised account.
It would also be ideal to contact Instagram support to report the account violation.
How to protect a hacked Instagram account that you still have access to?
If you still have access to your Instagram account, you can usually find out who hacked you if you move quickly and take the right steps.
Here are some essential actions you can take to protect your account and regain control of it:
- Check the phone number and email address associated with your account. These are the key access points that will allow you to reset your password and recover your account. Before trying to change your passwords, go into your account settings and make sure a scammer hasn’t already changed your email address or phone number.
- Close all active Instagram sessions. Access your Instagram login activity and close all active sessions by selecting the three dots next to each session and choosing “Logout”. Repeat this for each login session listed. This means you’ll need to log back into Instagram on your phone, iPad/tablet, and computer, but that’s a small price to pay to prevent hackers from gaining control of your account.
- Change your Instagram password. After closing all active sessions, we recommend resetting your Instagram password by going to Profile > Settings > Security > Password. Choose a unique, strong password that is at least eight characters long and includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA). Two-factor authentication is an added security measure that requires a one-time code, along with your password, to access your account. This means that even if hackers figure out your password, they won’t be able to access your account. For added security, use an authenticator app for 2FA instead of SMS, as scammers can hack or steal your phone and bypass this extra security measure.
- Check your Account Center. This is a Facebook setting that allows you to see all your accounts associated with Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. If you see a linked account or other suspicious activity that you don’t recognize, remove it immediately.
- Remove all third party apps. Hackers may have gained access to your account via third-party apps. Check which apps are connected to your Instagram profile in your account’s security settings and remove any apps you don’t recognize or use.
In general, it is important to always be vigilant and careful about the security of your Instagram account, by regularly monitoring the activity and following the online account security guidelines to avoid hacking situations, as well as taking swift action in case of any attempts of hacking.
If your Instagram account is hacked, it’s best to act quickly to protect your personal data and prevent further damage. By following the steps above, you can regain control of your account and restore your online security.
How to regain access to a hacked Instagram account?
If you’ve been locked out of your Instagram account by a hacker , that’s a more complex situation to resolve. However, there are still a few steps you can take to attempt to restore access to your account.
Disconnecting from Instagram Account – Credits: Ninja Marketing
Here’s what to do if your Instagram account is blocked by a hacker:
Check your email for a message from Instagram
If someone changes your password or email associated with your Instagram account without your consent, Instagram will send you an email notifying you of this change. If you didn’t request action yourself, you can reset your old password by clicking the “Reset this change” link in the email.
To avoid missing these important messages, be sure to check all your mail folders, including your junk and spam folders, for emails sent from security@mail.instagram.com .
Request a login link
To verify that you are the owner of your Instagram account, you can request a login link directly from Instagram.
This is a special link that is sent to your email or phone number and allows you to access your account.
Here’s how to get a login link from Instagram:
- For Android devices: Open the Instagram app and select “Get help signing in” and follow the instructions shown.
- For iOS devices: Open the Instagram app and select “Forgot your password?” and follow the instructions.
Get help logging in on Instagram – Credits: Jugo Mobile
If the email associated with your account has changed, we recommend sending the login link to your phone number. Otherwise, if both the email and phone number associated with your account have changed, you’ll need to follow one of the next steps.
Request more support or a security link
To avoid being locked out of your Instagram account, it’s important to follow a few precautions and act quickly in the event of a violation. However, if you are unable to access your account despite following the security steps, you can make a special support request to Meta (the parent company of Instagram and Facebook).
To do this, open the Instagram app and select “Get help signing in” on Android or “Need more help?” on iOS.
Enter your username, email address or phone number and select your preferred contact method.
Tap “Send security code” and if you don’t receive the code, tap “I can’t access this email or phone number.”
Once you submit your request, you should receive an email from Instagram detailing the next steps to take.
It is important to use a secure email account to receive your login information, as if your email account has been hacked, scammers could bypass all of these measures and remain logged into your account. Furthermore, it is advisable to avoid sharing personal information with people you don’t know and not to click on suspicious links.
Instagram Assistance Request – Credits: Ninja Marketing
Verify your identity with Instagram
If your Instagram account has been hacked, there are some steps you can take to recover it. However, the process can be long and complex, but it is crucial to ensuring the security of your account.
First, it’s important to verify your identity to prove that you are indeed the owner of your account.
There are two ways to do this: If your account has no photos of you, Instagram will ask you for details like your email address, phone number, and the type of device you used when registering your account. However, if your account has photos of you, Instagram will ask you to send a video of you turning your head from different angles to confirm that you are a real person.
Once your identity is verified, you will need to follow the steps to reset your password and recover your account. This includes checking the phone number and email address listed within your account settings and logging out of all active Instagram sessions. It’s also important to change your Instagram password and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security.
While the process can take some time, following these steps is essential to ensure your account isn’t compromised and isn’t being used by scammers to scam your friends and followers.
How Hackers Hack Your Instagram Account (And How To Stop Them)?
Once you regain control of your hacked Instagram account, it’s important to take steps to prevent scammers from hacking into it again.
To do this, it’s important to understand how scammers managed to gain access to your account in the first place.
Here are some of the most common ways scammers hack into Instagram accounts:
Phishing scams that steal your login information
Phishing is one of the most common techniques used by scammers to gain access to your accounts. It involves impersonating a known or trusted organization or person, and convincing victims to provide personal information or click on malicious links sent via message.
An example of phishing is when scammers impersonate Instagram and send an email asking to change your password or log in to verify your account. These emails are usually fake and configured to steal your login information.
Blue check scam – Credits: Archivio.biccy.it
To avoid falling into these traps, it’s important to stay alert to common Instagram phishing scams , such as messages offering Bitcoin investment advice, fake support accounts, or accounts claiming they can help your account get verified (the blue push next to the profile name). In general, it is always best to be cautious and be wary of suspicious messages or requests.
Using passwords leaked from data breaches
A data breach is an event in which private and confidential information is stolen or exposed without authorization.
Instagram, like many other companies, has been a victim of this type of attack in the past, resulting in the loss of user information such as usernames and passwords. This information can then end up for sale on the Dark Web, where scammers use it to access your accounts.
It’s important to know that hackers can use this leaked information to try to access your accounts on other websites, as many people use the same username and password combination for multiple accounts.
To protect your online security, it’s a good idea to use unique passwords for each account and sign up for an identity theft protection service that monitors the Dark Web for leaked personal information and alerts you if your account is compromised.
Malware that steals username and password
Clicking on a suspicious link or spam email can be dangerous because it can lead to your device being infected with malware .
Malware is malicious software that can steal personal information to perform identity theft, scan device passwords, and even spy on every word you type.
If your phone is infected, scammers may have access to your Instagram account, making it easier for them to compromise your account.
Mobile malware
Through third-party apps
Another possible gateway for scammers is through the use of third-party apps linked to your Instagram or Facebook account.
Over the years, you may have connected several apps to expand the functionality of your profile, but then forgot them connected. However, every third-party app poses a potential security risk to your account.
If a third-party app has a security weakness and is attacked by hackers, hackers can use this gateway to get into your Instagram account.
Through a Wi-Fi attack or on public devices
In this situation, hackers can use a technique called “Man In the Middle Attack” (MitM) to intercept your Wi-Fi connection and access information and details from your connected device.
This can result in your password being stolen and logging into your Instagram account directly, thus compromising your account.
It is important to be aware of this type of risk and avoid accessing services like Instagram on public networks or on unknown devices, making sure to always log out of your account when you finish using it.
Has your Instagram account been hacked? Do this to avoid the scam!
To protect your Instagram account from being hacked, it is important to follow some basic precautions :
- Use a unique and secure password for your Instagram account and change it regularly.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to increase the security of your account.
- Beware of verification scams and never share your 2FA code with anyone.
- Do not click on suspicious links or download malicious attachments.
- Use antivirus software to protect yourself from malware.
- Remove third-party apps and unused accounts from your Instagram account.
- Be careful when entering your login details and do not respond to suspicious emails or messages asking you to change your password.
- Sign up for Identity Theft Protection to monitor your account and personal information.
Bottom line: Keep Instagram scammers out of your account
In conclusion, preventing your Instagram account from being hacked is essential to protecting your online security and privacy.
There are many ways hackers can access your account, so it is important to always be vigilant and follow appropriate precautions to prevent such an issue.
Updating and protecting your passwords to access your Instagram page, turning on two-factor authentication, not clicking on suspicious links, and using antivirus software are just some of the security measures you can take to keep Instagram scammers out of your account. Also, sign up for identity theft protection and constantly monitor your page for any suspicious activity.
With these precautions, you will be able to keep your Instagram account secure and private.
