How to prevent Instagram hacking with fewer hurdles
It is a no-brainer that Instagram is an integral part of the life of a modern person. But what if yesterday you uploaded photos and received news from friends, but today you simply cannot access your account? It usually doesn’t take long for users to realize that their Instagram account has been hacked. And the best thing you can do to protect your data, in this case, is to take care of the safety of your account in advance. If you use our tips, hackers will not be able to attack your Instagram profile.
How to understand that your Instagram got hacked?
If you have never been in such a situation before, you might have a lot of questions. Questions like: “How do I know that my profile was attacked?” There are several ways to understand this:
- Your credentials are correct, but you can’t log in for unknown reasons;
- Your profile was updated with some new photos, bio information, or any other data that you have nothing to do about;
- You follow people that you don’t know.
It is obvious that Instagram is used by millions of people around the world. It’s no surprise that hackers are on the hunt for their accounts. The good news is that you can protect yourself. You just need to be really careful and use the following tips.
Don’t connect to your account via Facebook
If you used to log in to your Instagram profile or any other apps via Facebook, you should know that it is a big mistake. Once your Facebook data is exposed, any other apps are not safe as well. It means that if hackers attack your Facebook, they can attack your Instagram immediately. If you want your account to be absolutely safe, it is necessary to create individual logins. The more accounts you have, the more logins you need. Yes, it will take you some time, but it will also protect your account.
Ensure that your password is strong enough
Cyber security means nothing when you use a weak password. Actually, a lot of users don’t care too much about it, and of course, it is not good for them. Your passwords should always include:
- letters;
- numbers;
- special characters.
It goes without saying that you can’t use your name and surname, your pet’s name, your birth date, address, etc. It would be great if you try a password manager that generates random passwords that can’t be handpicked. It is also necessary to change passwords from time to time, especially if you think that they could be compromised. And never use the same password for all of your accounts!
Don’t click on links from strangers
Internet users receive spam emails and messages all the time. If you receive a link from a person that you don’t know, don’t click on it. Actually, even if a link from your friend looks suspicious, just ask him or her about it. And block all weird accounts that follow you and try to reach you out.
Rely on two-factor authentication
Even if your password is strong, you can make your login process more protected. Two-factor authentication is a big word in cyber hygiene. It means that it is not enough to type your password, which can be compromised; it is also necessary to type a code that you receive via app or SMS. So, if a hacker knows your password but doesn’t have access to your smartphone, one can’t break into your account. This extra layer of security is very reliable.
Ensure that you use a trustworthy VPN
A good VPN is a must-have these days, especially if you use the Internet while being connected to public Wi-Fi or traveling abroad. This software can encrypt your online traffic and hide your IP address. It doesn’t let hackers track your activity and get access to your data. VeePN is a perfect tool with 10 simultaneous connections, multiple platforms, and strong encryption.
Don’t use other platforms to view Instagram content
It goes without saying that Instagram developers are constantly working on the security of their application. But you surely don’t know if other platforms are this secure. Because if they are not, your account can be easily hacked. So, use the official app only and don’t click on any links that might be shady.