Instagram’s Latest Attempt to Thwart Hackers

Instagram recently launched a new feature designed to help users whose accounts have been hacked regain control. The feature is called “Security Checkup.”

How Does it Work?

The Facebook-owned social media platform Instagram launched a new feature this week called Security Checkup. It was created to help users recover their accounts if they were hacked and taken over by cybercriminals. 

How it works is that the user must follow a series of steps before regaining control. Part of the process is reviewing recent login history, updating contact details, and reviewing profile data. Although the process may seem lengthy, it should help users get back into their accounts and fully secure them. In some cases, users can use their WhatsApp phone numbers to regain access.

Other Security Recommendations

Along with the Security Checkup tool, Instagram strongly recommends that all users turn on two-factor authentication. The company also cautioned that they would never send a direct message to any user and subscribers should be aware of scams that involve text messages threatening to ban them for violations of intellectual property or other offenses. 

Instead, if Instagram needs to contact you, they will do so within the app, in the email section. 

In its recent notice, Instagram explained that 

“Over the past few months, we’ve seen a rise in malicious accounts DMing people to try and access sensitive information like account passwords. They may tell you that your account is at risk of being banned, that you are violating our policies around intellectual property, or that your photos are being shared elsewhere. These messages are often scams and violate our policies. Instagram will never send you a DM. When we discover these kinds of scams, we take action against them. But we also encourage you to report the content and block the account. We’ve sent notices at the top of people’s Inbox to warn them about these messages over the past 2 months. If Instagram ever wants to reach you about your account, we will do so via the ‘Emails from Instagram’ tab in your settings, which is the only place you will find direct and authentic communication from us on the app. For more info, visit our Help Center here.”

Instagram asks that platform users enable login requests to see whenever anyone logs in using their account. Using this tool, if someone logs in that is not the user, they can quickly log them out and secure their account.

Additionally, the company asked users to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity or sketchy accounts they witness on the platform. Finally, they request that users report any abuse or accounts that appear to have been hacked.

Instagram says it is committed to stopping the scammers and abuse currently perpetrated on the platform. In closing on their notice, Instagram said, 

“We’ve also made significant updates to our Support Inbox, so you can find out the latest information about what’s happening with your reports or find out if any of your posts are violating our policies. This includes being able to easily see the status of everything you’ve ever reported on Instagram, see what posts of yours may have broken our rules, and how to appeal those decisions. From there, you can find much more information on the status of what you’ve reported to us.”

Social Media Precautions

Social media provides opportunities for communication, connection, and interaction; however, it also comes with inherent dangers. Other ways to keep your social media account safe are:

• Never share your passwords with anyone.

• Never reuse passwords on multiple accounts.

• Never click links in text messages, social media ads, or emails. They often lead to malicious websites.

• Do not install software from untrusted sources.