6 keys to prevent your Instagram account from being hacked
Table of contents:
- 1. Two-Step Verification
- 2. Strengthen your passwords
- 3. Update Instagram
- 4. Report a Stolen Account
- 5. Do not use public Wi-Fi
- 6. Be very careful when downloading the app
Instagram is one of the trendy applications, it's no secret. That's why hackers and cybercriminals are on the prowl to steal accounts or misappropriate one of them. This is what recently happened to the contestant of Operación Triunfo 2017 Thalía Garrido. A user took over her account to impersonate the little girl, she even dared to go live. If you don't want it to happen to you, it's best to take extreme security measures. You already know that using strong passwords, using two-step verification, or performing regular app updates are some of the things you shouldn't overlook.However, here are 6 keys that you should keep in mind if you want to keep your Instagram account safe.
1. Two-Step Verification
Instagram has the option of verification in two steps, a fairly safe method to prevent your account from being stolen. Basically, it is about putting a double password to access. In this way, the system will know that it is about you and not someone else. To activate this option, you just have to go to the Settings tab (located in the upper right corner of your Instagram profile). Then select from the menu "Privacy and security", "Two-step authentication", "Text message". After that, just add a phone number phone to account. In this way, every time you log in, you will automatically receive a code in your terminal that you will have to enter once you do the same with your password.
2. Strengthen your passwords
Whenever we make articles of this type, we recommend strengthening passwords. This means that you should avoid all those simple and easy to guess (date of birth, name of your pet, sequences like "1, 2, 3, 4" "a, b, c, d"...).The best thing is to apply strong passwords, and if possible generated by some program or web. On the Internet you have some options such as «Secure password» or «Password generator«. Likewise, try to change them from time to time, once a month or every month and a half.
Note that for a password to be difficult to guess, it must be at least 8 characters long. It is necessary to combine letters (upper and lower case), as well as symbols and numbers. Also, do not use the same password for all your services and applications, that is, use one for each one.
3. Update Instagram
If you keep your updates up to date you will avoid many problems. The best thing is that you have automatic updates activated, but if not, you just have to enter the Google application store and select the icon in the shape of three stripes that is in the corner top right. Choose “My apps & games” to access the list of apps that are installed on your phone. Find Instagram and click on “Update”.
If you have an iPhone, go to the App Store and choose the “Updates” tab (located at the bottom). Check that Instagram is not on the list of pending apps to update. If so, update immediately.
4. Report a Stolen Account
If no matter how hard you try, you cannot enter your Instagram account, you have tried all the passwords and there is no way, act quickly. In this case, the best thing is to report a stolen account so that the company is notified and try to solve the problem as soon as possible In case you didn't know, Instagram has a website with a very detailed form with all the steps you have to follow so you can recover access to your account.
As soon as you enter this page, you will see the possibility to report a problem. Go to "Account Phishing" for more information. You can report your Instagram account by filling out this form. Please note that they will only respond to reports sent to them by the impersonated person.
5. Do not use public Wi-Fi
Another of the important tips to prevent your Instagram account from ending up in the hands of hackers is that you never connect through public Wi-Fi. Wait to do it at home with a secure connection, or do it with your own data connection. In the same way, Avoid by all means to enter your account from strange mobiles or public computers. In the event that you have no other choice but to do so, do not forget to delete your browsing history and log out afterwards. On the other hand, keep in mind not to check the option to remember password when you are connecting.
6. Be very careful when downloading the app
The Google app store contains some fraudulent apps that try to hijack your login details. It is one of the Achilles heels of the platform. Therefore, if you have not downloaded Instagram yet, or whenever you do it again, make sure that it is the official app and not a third-party application.If you have doubts, you can always check the developer to see if it is known or not and the comments that are available. Also, look at the stars and how full they are. When it comes to the official application they are usually full, which is always a way of knowing that they are not we are facing a fraudulent app.
You already know that if you have suffered an account theft, or have any questions about it, you can leave us your impressions in the comments section.
