The following steps will help you keep your Instagram account safe.
Turn on Instagram 2FA
Two-Factor Authentication is an important part of your account’s defense against hackers. It requires the user to have access to a certain app or phone number every time they log in. While it can be inconvenient, it’s also a relatively strong security feature for keeping your accounts and data safe.
On the Instagram app, click the three lines at the top of your account page.
At the bottom of the sidebar, click ‘Settings.’
Click ‘Security.’
Tap, ‘Two-factor authentication.’
Click ‘Get Started.’
Select either text message or Authentication app and enter the code you’re sent to your app or phone.
Click ‘Done’ to confirm.
Keep these codes safe to access your account if you lose your phone.
Be advised: If you are going to use an app instead of your phone number as the 2FA option, then you must ensure you keep backup codes or that you use Authy, the authenticator app, with a cloud backup. You’ll lose access to your account if you lose your phone without a backup of your 2FA codes.
Use a Strong and Unique Password
While 2FA provides a decent layer of protection, you should not neglect your password. Reusing an old password, or creating a new weak password, is a terrible idea. Passwords you’ve used on old, inactive accounts could become compromised and lead to your current accounts being hacked. Using a weak password makes it more likely for scammers to guess or steal it.
To make a strong password, you should be sure to use a password generator. Some security companies, such as Norton, offer these generators free to the public. If you’re worried about remembering a bunch of new passwords, you can use a password manager. Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox both offer free password managers, while paid services offered by Norton and DashLane can be installed on various mobile devices.
For more advice when creating your password, check our guide to common password mistakes.
Manage Instagram Privacy Settings
Instagram provides a suite of privacy settings that allow you to manage who sees and interacts with your account. Back in your settings menu, tap on the option for ‘Privacy’ to go to your privacy menu. From here, you can select accounts to restrict or block completely from viewing your profile.
The safest option is to make your account completely private, which can restrict your ability to gain followers or interact with other accounts. You should, at least, carefully manage who can see specific comments and posts.
Be Careful With Your Posts
The pictures you upload are arguably the most important and least thought-about factor with Instagram security. When uploading to Instagram, you should check the image you’re uploading for background details. Letters containing your address or bank cards left carelessly in-frame could let hackers access these details. The more details a hacker or scammer has, the easier they’ll find breaking into your account.
It would help if you also were wary of geotagging your posts. If you take photos at home and tag them with your location, scammers may be able to figure out your location. Not only would this lead strangers to where you live, but it’s another method of gaining your address for breaking into your account.
If you’re worried about your Instagram account’s security, you can order a security audit here.
Featured image from REUTERS/Dado Ruvic.