In this guide, we’ll be discussing everything you need to know about hacking an Instagram account.
This guide is meant for educational and cybersecurity purposes.
We will also be broadly covering the most common ways people hack Instagram accounts and leaving out specific details for obvious reasons.
We’ll be covering the following topics (click on a bullet point to jump to that section):
How to Hack Instagram?
In this section, we will be listing some ways to hack an Instagram account.
This is for educational purposes so you know how to prevent against these hacks and we are not condoning this behavior.
1. Guessing Password
Many hackers attempt to gain access to an account by guessing the passwords associated with that account.
If a person is able to correctly guess a password, then he or she will be able to take over control of another person’s Instagram account.
In order to protect your account from Instagram hackers, make sure to use a strong and unique password and avoid common or easily guessable passwords like “password” or “123456.”
We also recommend enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of security.
2. Keylogger
Hackers may also try to hack into an Instagram account by using keylogger software.
A keylogger is a type of software that captures every single keystroke from a computer, allowing hackers to easily gain access to an individual’s personal information.
What is Keylogger Software?
A keylogger is a software application that tracks and records everything a user types on their computer.
Keylogging allows hackers to access passwords, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, etc.
If an individual has invasive or malicious keylogger software installed on his or her computer, then it can be extremely difficult to get rid of the keylogger.
In order to prevent hackers from hacking your Instagram account with a keylogger make sure to keep your devices secure and ensure that your computer, smartphone, or any other device you use to access Instagram is protected with up-to-date security software, including antivirus and anti-malware programs.
Also, be cautious when downloading files or software from unknown or untrusted sources.
Keyloggers are often disguised as seemingly harmless files or software.
3. On the Phone
A social engineering hack could involve someone calling the Instagram user on their cell phone (obtaining their phone number by looking at their social media profile) and calling them pretending to be an Instagram employee.
The hacker could convince the user that their account is being hacked and that they need to confirm their Username and Password on the phone.
If the user gives it to this fake Instagram employee (the hacker), now they have the password.
In order to prevent this, make sure you are cautious when receiving unexpected message or emails from Instagram or other services.
Make sure to check the email domain to make sure it is from the actual company and don’t ever send your password over an email or text message.
Instagram will never ask for it.
4. Fake Website with Email
Another social engineering hack could involve the hacker creating a fake Instagram login page that they control.
The hacker could send a fake email to the Instagram user saying something along the lines of “Your Instagram account username and password have been accessed on another device, please change your username and password here.”
The hacker would send the Instagram user to a fake page that looks like the real Instagram login page, and if the user entered their username and password into the fake form field, the hacker would now have their login info.
5. Authority
This social engineering Instagram hack involves playing on authority and familiarity and would involve a business Instagram account page.
Let’s say the hacker wants to hack an Instagram business page. The hacker would need to find info on two people — the person who handles the Instagram business page and their boss. The hacker could easily find this info on LinkedIn.
The hacker could find the email of the boss, create a fake email that looks like the bosses’ email and send an email to the person who handles the business Instagram page telling them to change the Username and Password for the business Instagram page for “security reasons”.
Then, similar to the hack mentioned above, the hacker could lead that person to a fake login page and then they will have all the info.
Or even easier, the hacker who created the fake boss email, could just ask the person to send the login details right through the email.
What is Hacking?
Hacking is the practice of modifying or changing computer software, hardware, or virtually any other kind of technology to accomplish a goal that is not possible using the original unmodified configuration.
Hacking usually involves using computers to overcome a problem.
When people talk about hacking an Instagram account, they usually mean accessing an Instagram account that is not yours through certain ways that we will discuss later in this guide.
Why are People Attempting to Hack Instagram?
Instagram has quickly become an important part of life for many people around the world. The social media platform allows individuals to share pictures with friends and family, as well as people they have never met before.
A small number of users have begun using Instagram to further their business efforts, by promoting products on their accounts.
Unfortunately, this has caused some users to decide to hack into other accounts in order to view private information and steal an individual’s identity.
Is it Possible to Hack Someone’s Instagram Account?
Yes. While the number of people who are attempting to hack Instagram accounts is relatively small, especially compared with the number of legitimate users on the social media platform, there are still some individuals out there that are trying to steal other people’s personal information.
People can protect themselves by using strong passwords and keeping their devices safe from keylogger software.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
1. Be Cautious of the Website
Instagram users should always be cautious about what websites they visit, especially when accessing their accounts on a public computer.
Always look at the URL when you are logging into Instagram to make sure it is not a fake website and watch out for any social engineering hacks of impersonation.
2. Never Give Out Information
It is highly recommended that individuals never give out their personal information to other people online.
People need to protect themselves by not giving away passwords or any other sensitive information. It is also a good idea to keep a close eye on one’s bank accounts and credit cards for unusual activity.
3. Use Unique Passwords for Each Account
One of the best ways to protect yourself on Instagram is by using a unique password for each account that you have.
It is also important to keep an eye out for when logging in on public computers, as this can lead individuals to have their accounts hacked.
Can strong passwords prevent hackers from gaining access to an Instagram account?
Strong passwords can significantly reduce the risk of hackers gaining access to an Instagram account by making it more challenging for them to guess or crack the password.
Is it safe to use public Wi-Fi when accessing Instagram?
Using public Wi-Fi to access Instagram can pose security risks due to the potential for data interception by malicious actors, so it’s essential to take precautions like using a virtual private network (VPN) for added protection.
What should users do if they suspect their Instagram account has been hacked or compromised?
If users suspect their Instagram account has been hacked or compromised, they should immediately change their password, enable two-factor authentication, and report the incident to Instagram’s support team for further assistance.
Nate Torres is an entrepreneur, growth marketer, and photographer and writes mostly on those topics. Nate runs his own professional photography business and photography blog called Nate Torres Photography. Nate enjoys learning about new digital marketing strategy and new ways to think creatively. He is also a photography speaker and author on Photofocus.