Instagram is used by billions of people from all ages and locations, but according to statistics, it is generally preferred by younger demographics. Around 70% of active users are under 35 years old. Instagram, which has rapidly grown in recent years and has 2 billion active users, sees more than 60% of them logging in daily and liking over 4 billion posts every day. The top five countries with the most Instagram users are India, the USA, Brazil, Indonesia, and Russia. The three most popular hashtags on Instagram are: #love (1.835 billion), #instagood (1.150 billion), and #fashion (812.7 million).
However, in such a rapidly growing and widely used platform, hackers and malicious individuals are also active. Due to simple passwords and lack of security measures, Instagram accounts can be hacked, posts can be made on your behalf, or various fraud methods can be employed. These methods can include using your Instagram account for fraud on your behalf, insulting other people or institutions in your name, etc.
10 Tips for a Safer Instagram
If you’re worried about your Instagram account falling into the hands of hackers, it’s beneficial to strengthen your security settings. To avoid being vulnerable to cyber-attacks, you should learn the best ways to keep your account safe. Here are 10 ways to enhance Instagram account security…
1-) STRONG EMAIL PASSWORD
As soon as someone gains access to your email account, they can access all your other accounts as well. Therefore, email service providers recommend changing your email password periodically and enabling “two-step verification” to stay on the safe side. Additionally, we suggest verifying your email security with your mobile phone as well.
2-) TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION
Two-factor authentication is a great way to secure your Instagram account. Once you enable this option, even if someone knows your password, they cannot hack your account.
Open the app, log in to your account, and visit the Settings menu.
Find and tap on the Two-Factor Authentication option in the menu that opens.
Tap on the Require Security Code option to enable it and then select Open.
Enter the 6-digit code sent to your phone to verify that you are the account owner.
That’s it…
3-) DON’T ALLOW LOCATION ACCESS
Another important step you can take to protect yourself from identity theft and keep your account information hidden from online criminals is to ensure that location services for Instagram are turned off.
4-) DON’T ACCEPT FAKE ACCOUNTS
Setting your Instagram page to “private” is a good way to protect your security by reviewing anyone who wants to follow you. Even if your profile is public, you can always block suspicious followers if you are not sure of their intentions.
5-) DON’T CLICK ON LINKS
The general rule for Instagram is to never open a link sent to you via DM. Remember that some hackers use links to hide malware that can give them full access to the files on your device.
6-) USE THE “ABOUT” OPTION
Make sure you check “About This Account” to perform a comprehensive background check before following any Instagram account. To use this tool, click on the Profile button, select “About This Account,” and read the available information.
7-) LOG OUT FROM OTHER DEVICES
When using a public or shared computer, make sure to log out of your Instagram account before leaving the device. Also, you will see a pop-up asking “Remember Me” after entering your credentials; do not click on it.
😎 UPDATE YOUR INSTAGRAM PASSWORD
You will notice that it is recommended to choose a strong password when signing up for Instagram. It is best to avoid using easily found information such as your pet’s name, middle name, or phone number.
A combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, along with characters and numbers, is recommended. For example, you can make it harder for hackers by transforming the word “Ginger” into “G!nG8r!!”. Also, don’t forget to change your password periodically.
9-) DON’T GRANT APP PERMISSIONS
Think carefully before granting permissions to third-party applications.
10-) DOWNLOAD YOUR DATA
You can obtain a backup of your data by requesting a copy of everything you’ve shared on Instagram in HTML or JSON format, which can be read by a computer. Note: To request this information, you will need to enter your Instagram account password.