How to keep your Instagram account secure
Use Instagram’s security tips and tools to secure your account and prevent it from being compromised or hacked.
Two-factor authentication
- Two-factor authentication will help you protect your account so no one has access to it:
- Two-factor authentication protects your account by requiring a code if there’s a login attempt from a device we don't recognize.
- It’s the single most effective step to protect your account from hackers.
- To provide the highest security possible, we turned on two-factor authentication for creator accounts by default–check to make sure you didn't turn it off!
Learn more about two-factor authentication and how to enable it.
Strong passwords
- Make sure you use a strong password. Avoid using personally identifiable information, such as your name, birthday, address, names of your significant other or kids, or using overly generic passwords like “password 1-2-3.” These can significantly increase your chance of being compromised.
- Pick a strong and unique password that you haven't used for other accounts. Use a combination of at least six numbers, letters and special characters (like !$@%), and try to avoid repetition.
- Never give your password to someone you don't know and trust.
- We recommend using a third-party password manager, like Last Pass or One Password to maintain regular password changes and to keep the passwords unique.
- Change your password regularly. If Instagram detects that your password may have been stolen, changing your password on Instagram and other sites helps to keep your account secure and prevent you from being hacked in the future.
Learn how to reset your password.
What to do if you get hacked
- If someone gains access to your account or you're unable to log in, visit https://www.instagram.com/hacked/ on your desktop or mobile browser to secure your account.
- Make sure your email account is secure. Anyone who can read your email can probably also access your Instagram account. Change the passwords for all of your email accounts and make sure that no two are the same.
Other tips to keep your account safe
- Be careful when you authorize any third-party app, you should never share your login information with an app you don’t trust. If you give these apps your login information, whether with an access token or by giving them your username and password, they can gain complete access to your account.
- Log out of Instagram when you use a computer or phone you share with other people. Don't check the "Remember me" box when logging in from a public computer, as this will keep you logged in even after you close the browser window.
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