In recent years, Instagram has been able to attract a large number of users who work in various fields. But the same issue has caused more hackers, swindlers and profiteers to pay attention to this Facebook-owned social network so that they can trap their victims in various ways. Fortunately, by following some key and essential points, you can ensure the security of your Instagram page to an acceptable level, which does not require any expense and will only take a little time.
Although securing an Instagram page can sometimes be a hassle for pages with a lot of followers, it is generally not very complicated and all the features needed to do so are provided by Instagram. Instagram security-related features are available within the app and the web version, which we will explain how to use them below.
Two-step authentication
If you are worried about profiteers hacking into your Instagram account, you must enable two-step authentication. In this method, in addition to the need for a password to log in to the account, another layer of security is used that can not be easily accessed by others; Unless they have physical access to the victim’s mobile phone. To activate the said feature, you must follow the steps below.
Enable two-step authentication in the app
1. First, log in to the Instagram application and then go to your profile page.
2. Tap the hamburger icon (three parallel lines) in the upper right corner of the screen.
3. Select Settings from the menu that opens .
4. In the settings page, first go to the Security section and then select the Two-Factor Authentication option and touch the Get Started button.
5. When activating two-step authentication, users can use two modes of receiving code via SMS (based on mobile number) or using special applications such as Google Authenticator. The first method is simpler and easier to set up and use; But the second method will be more secure.
6. After activating the mentioned feature, you must use the code received by the SMS or the authentication application to log in to your account. A number of recovery codes are provided in the Recovery Codes section of the Two-Factor Authentication page, which are used when not receiving a text message or authentication application; As a result, it is better to write them down and keep them in a safe place.
Enable two-step authentication in the browser
1. Click on the manikin icon in the upper right corner of the page to refer to your user profile.
2. Click the gear icon next to the username to go to the settings page.
3. First, enter the Privacy and Security menu and then select the Edit Two-Factor Authentication Setting option.
4. Now check the Text Message option to receive the codes via SMS or Use Authentication App to use the two-step authentication app.
Phishing, the enemy of Instagram page security
Phishing scams are one of the most common scams used by profiteers to obtain the passwords of accounts that many people fall into. Although it is often easy to detect fake login pages, the designers of such pages use new methods to make their trap look natural, and they also open a special account on the ignorance of a wide range of Instagram users.
Phishing pages are provided to the user in various formats, one of which is to send fake emails with a link to log in to the account. The content of such emails usually says that there is a problem with the person’s Instagram account and to fix it, they must log in to their account through the link provided. The link may even work properly and you will be transferred to your account after entering your username and password; But your information will also be sent to the profiteer. In these cases, most people do not notice what happened and enough time is provided to change the password and steal information.
To deal with fake emails, Instagram has a special section in its application where users can view a list of emails sent by this social network. Follow the steps below to access this section:
1. Go to your profile page and then open the Settings section.
۲. Go to the Security section and select the Emails From Instagram option.
3. You can now compare the list of emails displayed by Instagram with the items received in your email and identify fake samples. In the Security tab, the emails for the last 14 days are related to Instagram security and the user’s location, and in the Other tab, other emails can also be found.
Check logins for Instagram page security
Sometimes someone else may have accessed your account but made no changes to it. In such cases, you may not be aware of his presence due to the lack of a specific symptom. To check this issue in the version under Instagram browser, go to the Settings section and then refer to the Login Activity menu . You can now access a list of logins to your account. If you see entry from an unfamiliar situation, it’s best to change your account password as soon as possible.
Checking other data stored in the Instagram account can also determine the presence of another person in the account. In the Instagram mobile application, go to the settings section and then select the Access Data option by referring to the Privacy and Security menu . This section is available in the web version by clicking on the gear icon on the profile page, going to the Privacy and Security section and selecting View Account Data .
The information provided by Instagram in this section includes changes in account privacy settings, logins, exits, hashtags followed, stories, and password changes. If you see something suspicious in the data, it means that someone else is in your account; So it is better to consider a new password for it.
Private account
Although hacking an Instagram page is not directly related to its security, it can have a significant impact on user privacy . Only followers of private accounts can access the content inside them and interact with the account holder. Also, if you preview your account, your images will not be displayed in Google search results. To do this, follow these steps:
1. As in the previous sections, go to the settings section in the Instagram app.
2. Enter the Privacy section and then select the Account Privacy option.
3. Now turn on the key in front of the phrase Private Account.
1. To preview an account in the web version of Instagram, first click on the gear icon on the user page.
2. Go to the Privacy and Security section and then click on Account Privacy.
3. Now check the check box next to the Private Account option.
Restrict access of other apps to the account
Many add-ons connect to the account to provide more features. Follower management and event logging programs are some of the most used examples in this field, which are required for the correct operation of the username and password to connect to the account. Sometimes such programs may do their job well, but in the background they are collecting data and stealing users’ information. On the other hand, the original program code may be infected with malware and the product developer may be unaware of this.
To view the list of apps connected to your account, first, go to the Instagram app settings and then go to the Security panel. Then go to Apps and Websites and select the Active option. This page displays the current connections. You can also get a list of expired or deleted permissions on the Expired and Removed pages.
In the web version of Instagram, go to Settings, click on the Authorized Apps option to see all apps with active access permissions. By pressing the Revoke Access key and then Yes , you can revoke the access license for each item. The fewer websites and apps connected to your Instagram account, the less likely you are to leak information.
Ensure the security of the Instagram page with the appropriate password
In most cases, Instagram accounts are hacked due to not using the appropriate password . Inappropriate passwords are usually guesswork in which a person’s personal information such as year of birth, place of residence or name is used. If two-step authentication is not enabled to log in to the account, the password is the most important factor for the security of the Instagram page. So it is better to use a strong password including uppercase and lowercase letters and special characters (such as & and%). Changing your password at short intervals can also be a good idea to increase Instagram security.
Frequently Asked Questions About Instagram Page Security
What is the best way to secure your Instagram page?
Using a strong and unpredictable password, including uppercase and lowercase letters and special characters, as well as two-step authentication by texting to a mobile number or displaying a login code in apps like Google Authenticator is the best way to increase the security of your Instagram account.
How to find out if your Instagram account has been hacked?
By referring to the Security section in the settings and entering the Login Activity section, you can access the list of the latest entries along with the location of your account. If you see something suspicious, it is best to change your password as soon as possible.
How to prevent Instagram from being hacked?
Not using third-party applications connected to the account, such as managing followers, using the appropriate password, benefiting from two-step authentication through the application and not logging in to anonymous links can greatly reduce the possibility of account hacking.
