It’s highly unlikely to hack an Instagram account, and those who can would probably use their skills for something more profitable.

Instagram isn’t typically hacked. Instead, it’s your email that gets hacked, or even more accurately, you give away your account details to scammers.

So how does an “Instagram hack” happen?

While email hacking involves special programs that guess passwords, hacking a user’s mind is far more intriguing.

Social engineering, such as creating a sense of urgency or intimidation, drives users to click a link and input their Instagram login and password.

What are scammers usually saying?

“You’ve been approved for verification of your account! Click the link to confirm.” You click, enter your Instagram details, and bid farewell.

“You have 24 hours to appeal a violation in your account, otherwise it will be blocked.” You fear losing your account, click, enter your details, and say goodbye.

Where do scammers usually reach out?

Scammers send direct messages from regular accounts claiming to be “Instagram support,” or from verified accounts.

They also send emails from domains resembling Instagram, Facebook, or Meta, avoiding the effort of choosing similar ones.

And they reach out via WhatsApp, SMS, and Facebook messages.

What should you avoid to protect your account?

1. Don’t click on unfamiliar links.
2. Enable two-factor authentication for your email and create a separate email just for Instagram that won’t be shared elsewhere.

Following these principles will help you avoid the theft of your Instagram account, saving you time and money on account recovery.