Things to do to secure your Instagram account

It is the responsibility of all users to ensure the protection of personal information in the Instagram account. Instagram contains a variety of personal information, such as phone numbers and email addresses, which should not be ignored. When your Instagram account is hacked, cybercriminals may share malicious links or content among your followers. So it is important to know what to do to protect your Instagram account. Let’s find out how to keep your Instagram account secure.

Login Activity Checkup

If you suspect that your account has already been compromised, you can find out the account access information by checking the login activity. To check login activity:

• Enter the Instagram app and enter the profile tab
• Enter Instagram settings from the sidebar menu
• Select the Security option, then select Login Activity
• Tap on the Instagram Login Activity option

Now you can see the list and location of all the devices from which your Instagram account has been used.

If you select the Log out option by tapping on the three-dot menu next to the devices that are not familiar to you in the list, your account will be removed from that device. Then it is better to reset the password of Instagram.

Instagram Security checkup

Instagram is offering a tool called Security Checkup to find out how secure the account is and how to ensure extra security. To use security checkup:

• Enter the Instagram app and tap on the profile icon in the bottom right corner
• Tap the menu bar in the top right corner and then tap the Settings option
• Select Security and then select Security Checkup

In this section, you will find features related to a password, phone number, two-factor authentication. You can find out how effective those settings are by tapping on the displayed options.

Two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication provides added security to any online account. Even if someone gets the password for your Instagram account, they will not be able to login without the OTP code provided in Two Factor Authentication. To turn on two-factor authentication for an Instagram account:

• Enter the settings of the Instagram app
• Tap on Security option
• Tap the Two-factor Authentication option and tap the Get Started option

The authentication app or text message can then be used as an authentication method.

Third-party access revoke

Third-party apps or services can be accessed to enjoy additional benefits on Instagram. However, to ensure that these apps or services do not become obsolete, it is better to remove unnecessary apps from the Instagram profile. To revoke or cancel access to the app:

• Enter the settings by tapping the profile from the Instagram app
• First select Security and then Apps and websites option

Now you can see the list of apps that have data access permission on Instagram account. Revoke access to the options of apps or services that you do not use from here. Note that there is no reason to worry about the Expired Ab Revoked list, as this list shows apps that have lost access.

Instagram Email

You will receive an email in your inbox whenever someone tries to access your Instagram account or change any account settings. Don’t forget to check important emails because many people don’t know this simple thing. So check the Instagram emails that come in the email inbox regularly to stay updated about the security of the account.

Block/Report

There are lots of suspicious accounts on Instagram that spread malicious links. In particular, these accounts are swindled in the name of various celebrities or big organizations. If you see any such account, report it immediately and block it.

It is better to report than to block. If you report, the Instagram authorities will be able to take the necessary action on the account. To block or report an account, log in to that account, tap on the three-dot menu and select Block / Report.

Use separate emails to your Instagram

If you want to add extra security to your Instagram account, you can keep the email used in your Instagram account separate. Even if someone knows your primary email address, they will fail to access your account. This will keep your Instagram account secure even if your other social media accounts are compromised. You can open a new email address using Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo to use a different email.

Remove phone number

If you remove the phone number from your Instagram account, no one will be able to find your account using your phone number. To remove phone number from Instagram account:

• Enter the Instagram app and enter the profile tab
• Then tap Settings from the menu bar
• Then select the Personal Information option
• Tap the phone number that appears to delete the phone number

Note that if you remove the phone number from your Instagram account, that phone number will not be used for two-factor authentication while logging in to your Instagram account. So if you want to use two-factor authentication, it is better not to remove the phone number. However, you can also use an authentication app for two-factor authentication by removing the phone number.

Private account

You can keep your Instagram account private so that not everyone can see the posts or stories made on your Instagram account. If you make your Instagram account private, no one will be able to see the post or story except the followers. If someone follows again, it will come as a request. After accepting the request, the person will be your follower and will see the post or story. To make an Instagram account private:

• Enter Instagram settings
• Select the Privacy option
• Then turn on the toggle next to the Private account

In this way, an Instagram account can be easily made private from the public.

Tag management

In order to add privacy and security to your Instagram account, it is important to adjust the settings to allow others to tag photos or videos. To fix Instagram’s tag management feature:

• Enter the settings from the Instagram app
• First, select the Privacy and then the Posts option
• Select the Manually Approve Tags option in the Tagged Posts section
• Toggle on to turn on Tag Controls

You can then decide whether or not to display the profile whenever someone wants to tag it. However, the best way to keep your Instagram account safe from hacking is to keep the device that has an Instagram account login secure. Also, any link coming to the Instagram account should not be clicked directly. It is better to copy the link and visit it in incognito mode with the browser.

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