Instagram says that users can now recover their hacked accounts even if the hackers change their info. The app is testing a new feature that will make it harder for hackers to steal Instagram accounts.
New reports emerging confirm that hackers have been targeting high-profile Instagram accounts. They will contact the influencers or celebrities and threaten them to pay up or they will delete their accounts.
Victims have had to pay more than $100 to retrieve their accounts in one instance. Some of these accounts have been able to gather 50,000 followers and more.
Hackers have managed to sell some accounts with a huge following for as much as $100,000. The victims usually are unable to retrieve their profiles through traditional methods. The hackers usually take their time to change the account’s phone number and email to prevent recovery.
In a recent statement, Instagram says, “We know that losing access to your account can be a distressing experience. We have measures in place to stop accounts from being hacked in the first place, as well as measures to help people to recover their accounts.”
“But we heard from the community that these measures aren’t enough, and people are struggling to regain access to their accounts,” they added.
Instagram looking out for users
In 2018, Instagram noted that people had issues retrieving their Instagram accounts. They advised users to enable two-factor authentication and use stronger passwords.
Hackers can use a phishing link to access a victim’s Instagram account. They can also get the password if the victim used the same login and password from another service that the data was breached.
Hacking victims complained in the past that Instagram did not do enough to help users get their accounts back. Instagram subsequently designed two new features to help victims of hacking on the app.
When Instagram detects that a user has logging on issues or if a user clicks the Need more help tab, the app will ask for their logging details. If a hacker has changed the user’s info, Instagram will then send a six-digit recovery code to the original email or phone number used to sign up.
Instagram also said it will remove all additional devices after the verification. This is so hackers will no longer be able to access the account.
Once recovered, the user can now choose what email or phone number they will like to associate with the Instagram profile.
There is a new feature Instagram has also introduced to Android users to help curb name squatters. It is expected to be available for iOS users soon.
Accounts with popular handles are targeted for by hackers and sold at very high prices. Now, Instagram locks an account for a while after someone changes their username before someone can take it.
The feature was released in March 2019.