Warning signs, security checks, and immediate steps if you suspect unauthorised access.
Warning Signs Your Instagram Is Compromised
- Login alert from an unfamiliar device or location
- Password no longer works
- Email, phone, or username changed without your knowledge
- Friends receiving spam DMs from your account
- Posts, stories, or reels you didn't create
- Unfamiliar accounts followed from your profile
- Bio, profile photo, or name changed
- Two-factor authentication disabled
How to Check for Unauthorised Access
1. Review Login Activity
Go to Settings → Security → Login Activity. Log out of any unfamiliar sessions.
2. Check Emails from Instagram
Go to Settings → Security → Emails from Instagram to see legitimate emails from the last 14 days.
3. Review Connected Apps
Go to Settings → Security → Apps and Websites. Remove unrecognised apps.
4. Check Your Activity
Review Your Activity for posts, likes, comments, and follows you didn't make.
Immediate Actions
- Change your password immediately
- Enable two-factor authentication
- Log out of all sessions
- Remove unfamiliar apps
- Restore your email and phone number
- Alert followers
Important
Can't log in? Use Get help logging in on the login screen. See: How to Recover Your Instagram Account After Being Hacked.
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JD
Written by
Jordan DicksonFounder, CyberSecurityGuides
Founder of CyberSecurityGuides, writing practical, jargon-free guides that help everyday people recover from and protect against online attacks.
Reviewed by CSG Security Engineers